Cat owners or individuals who consider obtaining a cat should be familiar with the health issues they might encounter. If you’re informed about the feline health issues you will be able to help your furry friend and will ensure that your cat is going to be a part of the family for quite a long time.
Cats may get affected by some mortal viruses but fortunately, all of them may be prevented through vaccination. Vaccination your pet is important since this will ensure good health and fewer medical problems. The American Association of Feline Practitioners asserts that all cats should be vaccinated against the disease.
Feline panleukopenia – also called feline distemper and cause by the feline parvovirus. This disease is highly infectious and the virus may remain active for months and even years after it’s been introducing. Normally, cats get infected believed in contact with the virus litter boxes, food, and water bowls, or feces. Panleukopenia causes diarrhea, nausea, fever, and even death and poses a great threat to kittens. Vaccination against panleukopenia should be done at 8 weeks of age and booster vaccinations should be performed every 4 weeks until the cat is 16 months old. Then, the vaccine ought to be given each year or every 3 years.
Feline Rhinotracheitis and Calicivirus – these are the most common reasons for upper respiratory diseases and are extremely contagious. These germs aren’t benign for cats however kittens may die for them. Vaccination ought to be started at the age of 6-8 weeks and should last every 3-4 weeks until age 16 months. A booster vaccination is performed in one year. Following this period the vaccination is given in 3 years and is typically combined with all the panleukopenia vaccine.
Rabies – This disease causes death and can’t be treated. It’s transmitted with the bites of affected animals. The disease always has a deadly effect so vaccination is suggested. It’s provided at 16 weeks old and booster vaccination is done at the age of 1 year and then every three decades.
Feline Leukemia Virus – This is a retrovirus that attacks the immune system. It is very contagious and is transmitted through saliva and nasal discharge. The virus is transmitted by an infected mother cat. The disease contributes to fat loss, anemia, cancer, and various infections. A blood test should be performed before vaccination to make sure the cat does not take the disease. The vaccinations against the feline leukemia virus might have different side effects, such as sarcoma or formation of a cancerous mass. For these reasons, many vets prefer to not vaccinate. Kittens are vaccinated at the age of 12-16 weeks. Booster vaccinations are performed in four weeks and then every year.
So as to keep your cat healthy, you have to keep a strong connection with the vet who will consult you concerning vaccinations and health difficulties. We found a great vet who could do just that and more.
Cat spaying and neutering has many benefits for the health of your cat. If the cat is spayed before its very first heat cycle, this will reduce the risk of breast cancer. This will eliminate the chance of uterine or ovarian cancer. In cats, neutering eliminates the risk of testicular cancer. Neutering also solves some behavior issues, like spraying and fighting with other cats.
Cat owners should make sure their cat is free of parasites because they are dangerous both for the pet and the owner. You should take measures to remove internal and external parasites.
Pros and Cons of Pet Wellness Plans For Cats
If you’re in the business of veterinary medicine, you have heard about wellness plans. You might be asking yourself whether these programs for pet wellness in Thomasville would be rewarding for your pet and your clinic. Below are a few pros and cons that health plans may bring to your business.
Pro: Increased Vet Visits
Clients are known to increase the number of times they bring their pets to the vet by two to three occasions when they’ve health plans. They’ll be inclined to utilize these services when a client can purchase services at a discounted price monthly, or even a year. This also leads to better care for pets, increased revenue for your practice, and the enhanced bond between the client and the veterinary staff.
Pro: Wellness Plans Tailored Towards Specific Practice Needs
Do you have to draw more earnings towards a particular provider, such as dental cleanings or spay/neuter operation? Create a wellness program that includes items associated with only these services. This can drive clients to supply annual bloodwork and dental cleanings for their pets, as well as spay/neuter services using a brand new puppy/kitten vaccine package. In the end, again, this improves the bond with your clients and care, in addition to increased revenue.
Con: Wellness Plans Can Be a Sensitive Matter
There are lots of things that may make health plans to drop apart. You must pay attention to what is best for your customers and their pets. Communication involving your team yourself, and your customers is vital to the achievement of wellness plans. Clients need to comprehend which plan is best for their pets at various times throughout their maintenance. You cannot execute a plan that is successful wellness without research to present appropriate options and excellent communication. Everyone must be on board to make it function.
Con: As With Everything, Matters Can Take a Terrible Turn
It occurs. Their health plan fees can not be paid by clients. A pet expires with weeks of unused services. As part of implementing wellness plans, veterinarians have to attempt to prepare themselves for the inevitable. Know what you will do your clinic will offer a refund of services not being used or have a clause that protects your clinic, and the strategy, if a customer defaults on obligations. If you have covered your bases and communicate that with clients and your team, it will not be as hard to deal with, should the time come.
This information only grazes the surface of health plans in practice. In conclusion, the most important thing would be to do your research and include your own team and customers in the execution of your pricing plan. Learn what is best for your clients and roll with it. Wellness programs may not be the answer for your clinic and you, but they’re worth a shot.
Your vet is an indispensable part of your cat’s health since he can ascertain any disease along with help for their effective therapy. Elderly cats need yearly health exams, yearly blood, and urine tests, in addition to dental exams and care.
But, it is very important for cat owners to become familiar with the most common feline health problems so as to be able to aid their pets to get their effective treatment and health maintenance.