Wellness Care for Your Cat in Nashville, TN

How Often Does My Cat Need a Wellness Exam?

Knowing when to schedule wellness exams for your cat is essential to avoiding health complications and maintaining their health and happiness. How often your cat will need a vet visit will depend on your pet’s age, health status, and lifestyle.

Kittens typically require more frequent visits due to their rapid growth and the need for initial vaccinations and regular weight checks. Expect to bring your kitten for a wellness check approximately every three to four weeks until they are fully vaccinated.

Healthy adult cats should get a wellness exam once a year. This annual check-up allows our veterinarians at Belle Meade Animal Hospital to assess your cat's overall health, monitor any changes, and detect potential health issues early on. During these exams, we perform a comprehensive physical assessment, checking your cat's weight, heart, and respiratory rate and examining their coat, eyes, ears, teeth, and gums. We also assess their joints and muscles to detect signs of discomfort or arthritis, especially in older cats nearing senior status.

Senior cats, typically those aged eleven and above, may require more frequent exams, often recommended every six months. As cats age, they become more prone to a range of health issues, including kidney disease, diabetes, and cancer. Regular check-ups allow us to monitor their health more closely and detect any signs of these diseases early, significantly improving the prognosis and allowing for more effective treatment plans.

Cats with chronic conditions, such as diabetes or kidney disease, may also require more frequent wellness exams regardless of their age. The precise frequency of these exams will depend on the specifics of your cat’s condition. Our feline wellness care in Nashville, TN, is individualized to each cat, meaning we will carefully assess your pet’s overall health and recommend the appropriate treatment plan and schedule. 

Signs Your Cat Needs Immediate Veterinary Care

While our preventative care exams will typically catch and address any health issues affecting your cat, problems that require urgent attention may appear between regularly scheduled visits. Acting sooner rather than later when you suspect your cat may be having a health issue can substantially impact their well-being and life expectancy. 

Cats are masters at hiding their discomfort, often masking signs of illness until the condition has advanced significantly. As a pet parent, you should try to know your cat’s normal behaviors and habits to identify any subtle changes quickly. Early intervention optimizes the chance for a successful treatment outcome, can be less costly, and can prevent conditions from worsening or causing further complications. It minimizes the discomfort and distress for your cat, allowing for a quicker recovery and return to normalcy.

You should not wait to make an appointment with our animal hospital if your cat is exhibiting any of the following problems:

• Changes in eating or drinking habits. If your cat suddenly eats or drinks significantly more or less than usual, it could indicate a health issue, such as diabetes or kidney disease.
• Unexplained weight loss or gain. While fluctuations in weight can be normal, a sudden and unexplained loss or gain can be a sign of serious health conditions. 
• Changes in behavior or activity Level. Cats are creatures of habit, so any sudden behavior or activity level changes should be noted. This could include sudden aggression, lethargy, or increased hiding.
• Difficulty breathing. If your cat is panting, wheezing, or having trouble catching their breath, it could be a sign of a respiratory problem that needs immediate attention.
• Changes in elimination habits. Frequent urination, constipation, diarrhea, or any changes in the color or consistency of their waste can be signs of a variety of health issues.
• Signs of pain. Cats often hide their pain, but signs of constant discomfort could include excessive grooming, difficulty moving, or changes in posture.
• Visible trauma. Any obvious signs of injury, such as wounds, limping, or difficulty moving, require immediate veterinary attention.

These signs are not exhaustive, and you know your cat best. If you notice any changes in your cat's behavior, appearance, or habits that concern you, contact our team as soon as possible in your furry friend’s best interest. We are always ready to provide the feline wellness care in Nashville, TN, that your cat deserves.

Get Quality Feline Care for Your New Kitten!

Your kitten’s first visit to our animal hospital is an important step towards setting them on the path to a long, happy, and healthy life. Our veterinarians and staff are here to ensure your kitten gets off to a great start.

To make the most of your kitten’s first visit, there are a few things you should bring with you:

• Medical records. If your kitten has received any previous veterinary care through a shelter or breeder, bring all the medical records you have. This includes vaccination records, deworming information, or other relevant health information. 
• Diet information. Details about your kitten's diet can be crucial for our veterinarians in understanding their nutritional status. Please bring information about the brand of food your kitten is eating, how often they eat, and their hydration habits. 
• Sample of feces. A fresh stool sample (ideally less than 24 hours old) can be useful in checking for internal parasites. 
• Your kitten's transport carrier. For the safety and comfort of your kitten and our staff, please bring your kitten in a secure carrier. This will help your pet feel safe and reduce possible stress. 
• List of questions or concerns. If you have any specific concerns or questions about your kitten’s health or behavior, make a list and bring it with you. This is your opportunity to get professional advice about caring for your new family member.

Microchipping your kitten is an important part of protecting your cat and your peace of mind. A microchip is a small device, about the size of a grain of rice, implanted under your cat's skin, typically between their shoulder blades. Each microchip carries a unique identification number registered in a national pet recovery database. A scanner can read this ID number at any veterinary clinic or animal shelter. This simple procedure, which is no more painful than a typical vaccination, offers a permanent and highly reliable method of identification should your feline friend ever go missing. Our team is happy to help microchip your kitten during their first visit.