Periodontal Disease:

Infection of the teeth and gums affects more than 80 percent of all older cats. Poor oral health can decrease your cat’s life expectancy by two to four years. In addition, loose teeth, swollen gums, and cervical neck lesions hurt! Dental scaling and polishing, pulsatile antibiotic therapy, and antibiotic sprays and gels help combat periodontal disease in cats.

This condition, caused by an overactive thyroid gland, is increasing in North America and can only be diagnosed through blood tests. Hyperthyroidism often causes irreversible heart, liver, and kidney damage, so early detection is critical. Cats that lose weight despite a normal to increased appetite, experience chronic vomiting or diarrhea, have increased thirst and/ or urination, experience difficulty breathing, or have a dry, dull hair coat should be tested for thyroid disease. Several safe and effective treatments are available.

Heart Disease:

Cats can develop several types of heart disease. Signs include difficulty breathing or coughing, vomiting, and weight loss. Physical exams, heart and lung radiographs, and EKGs help detect heart disease early. Several medications can slow the progression of heart disease and improve a cat’s quality of life.

Kidney Disease:

This disease is one of the leading causes of death in cats. If it’s detected early through blood and urine tests, we often can prolong life expectancy and maintain a high quality of life. Treatment varies from dietary changes to home fluid therapy.

Cancer:

Cats get many of the same cancers as humans, and frequent physical exams and diagnostic tests help detect cancer before it’s too late for treatment. Many of today’s cancer treatments cause few side effects and greatly increase a cat’s health span.

Diabetes:

Cats get diabetes just like people. Signs include drinking more water and urinating more frequently, losing weight, a dull hair coat, and vomiting. We use blood and urine tests that detect high "blood sugar" or glucose levels to diagnose diabetes. In most cases, treatment is simple. Left untreated, diabetes progresses quickly and often causes irreversible organ damage.

Obesity:

Nearly 50 percent of all cats are overweight and about 15 percent are obese, or at least 15 percent to 20 percent above their optimal weight. The average cat weighs only eight to ten pounds. Being overweight increases your cat’s chances of developing diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and more. We will calculate your cat’s optimal weight and design a nutritional regimen to suit your cat’s lifestyle.