Comprehensive Physical Examination

• Wellness examinations (annual) – Our wellness examinations are a comprehensive assessment of your cat’s body systems.  Additionally, our wellness examinations serve to detect potential problems early in their disease course.  Wellness screens, preventative healthcare and dietary / nutritional discussions are a major focus of these examinations. 

• Senior examinations (every 6 months) – Even though age is not a disease, we know a few things can change as our patients grow older.  Our senior examinations have the same purpose as a wellness examination; however, they occur more frequently with an emphasis on the specific diseases that occur more commonly in our aging feline friends.  Senior screens, blood pressure measurements and aging changes are a major focus of these examinations.  Preventative healthcare and dietary issues are also discussed. This day in age our patients are healthier and living longer and we intend to continue this trend.

• Emergency or Unwell Patient Examinations – Sometimes unexpected problems occur in our cats.  Our hospital will strive to accommodate your needs during these stressful times.  Obviously, patients with an urgent medical condition will take priority.  Our focus will be to identify the cause of your cat’s illness quickly and select an appropriate course of action. 

What is included in our comprehensive physical examination?  The following is a short list of our comprehensive examinations from head to tail.  Each patient will leave with an individualized report card to summarize the doctor’s findings and their medical plan. 

• Comprehensive history – This round of questions will focus on your cat’s quality of life, changes you may have noticed at home, problems you have noticed, lifestyle and dietary questions.  

• Weight checks – One of the most important aspects of any physical examination is your cat’s body condition score and weight.  Weight loss may be the first and only indication that an internal issue may be present.

• Skin / Hair – Your cat’s fur is their first recognizable feature.  A poor hair coat, hair loss or diseased skin may indicate a problem with the skin or an internal issue.

• Legs and nails – Every examination includes a complementary nail trim.  Additionally, the nails and legs will be evaluated.  The joints of our older patients will be evaluated. The goal is to detect arthritis and begin treatment early so your cat will be as comfortable as possible.

• Eyes – All cats will have an ophthalmic examination to view your cat’s retinas.

• Ears – All cats will have an otoscopic examination to view your cat’s internal ear canals and ear drums.

• Mouth – Dental disease is present in approximately 70% of cats over 2-3 years of age.  A happy and healthy mouth means your cat will have a good quality of life.  Evaluation of your cat’s mouth and teeth will look for evidence of tartar, gingivitis, diseased teeth and other issues.

• Thyroid gland – Since thyroid disease is a fairly common hormone disorder in older cats, every cat’s thyroid will be palpated which may detect an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland in the neck.

• Lymph nodes – Your cat has many lymph nodes throughout their body.  Enlargement of one or more lymph nodes may give a clue that there is an issue in a certain region of your cat’s body.

• Heart – This important organ will be checked for murmurs (abnormal blood flow through the heart) or abnormal heart rhythms.  In addition to the heart, the cardiovascular system (heart and blood vessels) will be evaluated by palpating the pulses in your cat’s vessels and/or taking a blood pressure measurement.

• Lungs – Listening to the air entering and leaving the lungs may reveal important clues about the health of this organ. 

• Abdomen – Palpation of your cat’s abdomen (or belly) helps evaluate your cat’s liver, spleen, kidneys, digestive tract, and bladder.

• Anal glands – Sometimes, these glands towards the back end may pose a problem and require expression.