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Health & Fitness

And the Award for Best Actor Goes to . . .

You may be surprised by your cat's hidden talent and how this could be dangerous to their health!

Another year of great cinematic performances has passed us by and with it the annual slew of awards ceremonies that Hollywood throws to congratulate each other. Now, I’m not saying that Jennifer Lawrence and Daniel Day-Lewis didn’t deserve their Oscars for the roles they played, but what I am saying is that there is a group of unrecognized thespians out there that surely would have stolen the show. You might be surprised to know that one of these master actors lives in your own home. They may even be curled up on your lap in blissful slumber right now. Sorry, it’s not Brad Pitt, but none other than your little purring ball of fluff – your cat!

        That’s right. All this time you may have thought that your kitty’s greatest talent was sleeping through the day or chasing after a glitter ball. On the contrary, he or she is a virtuoso of disguise, turning in performances that Hollywood’s greatest legends would envy. They were born with this skill. You see, in the wild, a cat is not only a skilled hunter, but sometimes they are the hunted by larger, hungrier predators. If you’ve ever watched a nature show about predators, then you probably already know that a predator will survey their potential victims and pick out the weakest of the group. It’s the easiest meal with the least amount of risk. For this reason, many animals, including cats, have developed a strong instinct to hide their pain and discomfort in an effort to not look like easy pickings.

        This is something that your veterinarian is all too familiar with. So often (and through no fault of their own) owners are unable to recognize the signs of disease in their cats, because they are so adept at hiding them. There may not even be any overt signs! It isn’t until they feel so completely horrible that they no longer have the strength that many cats will start to show look ill. Often, by this time it is too late or the cost of treatment is exorbitant.

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        This underscores the importance of regular checkups for your cats. There are many diseases in cats that, if caught early enough, can be successfully treated. Sometimes this will mean slowing the progress of disease, possibly adding years to your cat’s life and increasing their quality of life, or sometimes it could actually lead to a cure!

The Problem is Growing

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        There are more than 85 million pet cats in the United States – greater than 8 million the number of pet dogs – and yet dogs are seen far more often than cats by veterinarians. Even though the number of pet cats continues to grow, the number of vet visits has been shrinking. Is it because dog owners love their pets more than cat owners? Or is it because cats don’t need preventative care? The answer to both those questions is, of course, NO! So what are the real reasons? Here are some that I have heard many times.

  1. Cats don’t need regular checkups. The logic possibly being that they live a cushy indoor life and are exposed to very few dangers, so I’ll just bring them in when they are sick. Well, hopefully I’ve already dispelled that myth above. Many diseases will come about regardless of what your cat’s lifestyle is. The sooner these are recognized, the better in terms of outcome for your kitty and the cheaper intervention will be. Further, your veterinarian can help guide you in maximizing your cat’s quality of life and provide suggestions for nutrition, environmental enrichment and other aspects that you may not even realize are an issue.
  2. It’s too stressful on me and my cat. This is a big one. I’m a veterinarian and even I get stressed out when it comes time to bring my cats in. Unlike dogs, most of whom will gladly trot along anywhere their owners take them, cats will often hide at the first sight or sound of the carrier. Actually getting them into the carrier is an even greater challenge. Then they meow sadly the whole car trip. They’re just so miserable! I cannot deny the truth of this, but I wouldn’t be writing this if I didn’t believe the risk of not bringing them in was worse. Further, there are a great many things that you can do to ease the trip (I will write about this later, but in the meantime, I recommend you talk to your vet. He or she should have plenty of tips for you.)
  3. My cat doesn’t need vaccines, so I don’t need to bring them in. Many people think the whole point of regular exams is to give vaccines. Not so! It’s all about the exam, the exam, the exam. Vaccines are an important part of kitty wellness, but really what your vet wants to do is examine your kitty for the reasons explained above. During this time, you and your vet can discuss which vaccines may or may not be necessary for your cat. But, even if they aren’t due for any vaccines, it’s still important to get that exam in! It’s recommended that cats be seen at least once a year, and maybe more often depending on their age or risks they present with. This should be discussed with your veterinarian to determine what works best for you and your kitty.

 

So, next time you’re watching the stars waltzing, or falling (sorry Ms. Lawrence, I couldn’t resist), up to the stage to accept their award, look down at your beloved kitty and remember that even though they may be strolling around like they don’t have a care in the world, they just might be turning in the performance of a lifetime. Eat your heart out, Daniel Day-Lewis!

(For more information, talk to your veterinarian or go to the following website: http://www.haveweseenyourcatlately.com)

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