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Feline Senior Vaccines
(For Cats 7+ Years)
- Complete yearly physical exam
- FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia): Booster every 1-3 years in mature adults with previous vaccines, determined by pet's lifestyle
- Feline Leukemia vaccine: Yearly for at-risk outdoor cats after initial series
- Rabies vaccine: Booster every 3 years after initial 1 year vaccine has been given
- Yearly heartworm preventative
- Fecal
- Deworming per CDC recommended guidelines
- Nutrition consultation
- Discuss dental care
- Strongly urge CBC, General Health Profile, electrolytes, and urinalysis yearly
Feline Age Conversion Chart As your pet ages, changes in behavior and physical condition will occur. Aging can be affected by many variables, including genetics, nutrition and environment. By understanding these changes in combination with your pet's needs, you can help provide your pet with the best quality of life. Below is a comparative chart to help relate your pet's age to human years.
|
Weight (lb)
|
Age |
0-20
|
|
1
|
7
|
|
2
|
13
|
|
3
|
20
|
|
4
|
26
|
|
5
|
33
|
|
6
|
40
|
|
7
|
44
|
|
8
|
48
|
|
9
|
52
|
|
10
|
56
|
|
11
|
60
|
|
12
|
64
|
|
13
|
68
|
|
14
|
72
|
|
15
|
76
|
|
16
|
80
|
|
17
|
84
|
|
18
|
88
|
|
19
|
92
|
|
20
|
96
|
|
21
|
100
|
|
22
|
104
|
|
23
|
108
|
|
24
|
112
|
|
25
|
116
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Color key: n young adult n senior
n adult n geriatric
What signs should we look for?
Even though your pet may appear healthy, there may be changes occurring inside which may not be visible. Many problems common to geriatric pets may not present symptoms until your pet becomes seriously ill. By performing physical examinations every 6 months in combination with annual diagnostic work-ups, we can identify problems early enough to help keep your pet their healthiest.
Conditions commonly seen in older feline companions include: liver and kidney disease, dental disease, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, thyroid disease, cancer, and urinary problems.
 It is important that you bring any of the following symptoms to your veterinarian's attention. Some noticeable changes may include: changes in appetite or water consumption, weight gain, weight loss, apparent decreases in vision or hearing, changes in sleeping patterns, difficulty climbing/jumping, increased stiffness or limping, house soiling, changes in urination habits, changes in breathing patterns, disorientation, confusion, excessive meowing, bad breath, changes in activity level. Your pet's haircoat and skin should also be examined for any new lumps or bumps.
Studies show that as many as 17% of senior cats that appear healthy upon physical examination have an underlying disease. Once symptoms appear, the conditions may be too advanced or costly to treat. By screening for age-related diseases, we can in many cases, detect them before they become severe. With the proper treatment, you can help prolong your pet's life as well as to improve their quality of life.
Senior Care Screening Tests
Screening tests are designed for early detection and prevention of problems common with older pets. The tests chosen will depend on your pet's specific needs, but may include:
CBC (complete blood count)--provides detailed information on red blood cell counts, white blood cell counts and platelets. Abnormal values can be associated with bacterial or viral infections, anemia, clotting diseases and certain types of cancer.
Thyroid level--Measures the amount of circulating thyroid hormone. Increased levels are common in senior cats, resulting in weight loss, increased appetite and thirst, and heart problems.
General Health Profile--Evaluates the function of many internal organs. Abnormalities may indicate systemic disorders such as diabetes, kidney or liver disease, and imbalanced electrolytes.
Urinalysis--Urine samples provide valuable information about kidney function as well as screening for infections, tumors, bladder stones, diabetes.
X-rays (chest and/or abdomen)--Imaging allows visualization of may internal organs including the bladder, liver, spleen, kidneys, pancreas and heart. Radiographs are especially useful in diagnosing cardiac problems as well as abdominal growths and tumors.
Glaucoma screening--Eye tests to check for glaucoma and cataracts
Blood pressure screening--Early detection of high blood pressure is very important. Elevated blood pressure, if left to go untreated, may lead to blindness, heart and circulatory problems, or neurological problems.
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