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| Mason weigh in |
Hey there friends and fans! Dr.–err Mr. Mason here. I don’t know about all of you, but I sure as howl can’t wait for spring! March Madness has a completely different meaning in the cat world. It’s that first hint of spring when all the birds, squirrels and various other tiny creatures start flooding the outdoors, taunting felines around the country who can only “window shop” (as I like to call it). I am very intimidating behind glass and it’s no secret around the avian and rodent community that I very well could be a force to be reckoned with, if given the opportunity. So continue to poop on the windows my avian acquaintances; I am never an active participant in its removal.
Back to business, let’s talk about something that no cat likes to discuss: going to the vet. Little do owners know that most of us actually keep a fairly (if not more) accurate record of our veterinary excursions. Why you ask? Because we do not trust you to inform us prior to breaking out the captivity vessel and kidnapping us at scruff point. We need to know when to make ourselves scarce, eat all of our meals, and show no sign of defeat or we may end up at the V-E-T. I don’t expect you to believe me, I probably wouldn’t even though I can be quite convincing when I want to be. Here’s an inside tip to all you fabulous feline parents: your cat can be Oscar worthy when it comes to acting like nothing’s wrong. By the time you notice something’s up we’ve been playing it off for weeks, if not months, and potentially making things worse. We can be extremely stoic and often mask signs of illness. It can start as something relatively small, such as a decrease in appetite or increase in water intake, that owner’s often don’t recognize until the cat has stopped eating completely or started urinating inappropriately in the house.
Most cats are less than excited, about getting in the car, let alone going to the vet. We know that visits to see the doc are a necessary evil in our purr-suit of a long, healthy, comfortable life. But that doesn’t mean we’re going to let you know it by just succumbing to your deceit and going easily to the vet. Despite that, take us to the vet, it’s for our own protection. Even cats that don’t go outdoors NEED yearly vet visits and it’s recommended that pets over age 7 go at least semi-annually. Being a cat, of course I don’t like being weighed or having my temp taken or heaven forbid being poked by a needle but I realize I can’t expect to conquer the earth if I don’t feel well. I often wonder why some cats are treated like second-class citizens when it comes to health care. I’m not saying it’s necessarily done on purr-pose, but just like dogs, we need to have a good physical at least once a year. Having routine blood work done when we reach seniority is highly recommended and could save our lives. Have you ever had your doctor find something on a routine physical or blood work that needed addressing, even if you felt fine? Routine visits can be vital to your cats’ wellbeing.
Speaking of addressing things, I wanted to address something that is a very common misconception among cat owners. Even if we don’t go outside, all domestic cats are required by law, in most states (including VA/MD/DC) to be current on our rabies vaccination. Depending on where you are, violators could face pretty hefty fines. Any mammal is capable of contracting rabies, including humans, so if breaking the law doesn’t faze you, contracting the rabies virus should. It is always fatal, however, times have progressed and rabies related deaths in humans are not common if treated in time. But that doesn’t mean you want to get it! Just this week there was a report of a death in Maryland due to rabies exposure. For more information on rabies infections in humans, visit http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/location/usa/index.html. Indoor cats can sneak out; just as wild mammals (like bats) can sneak in so you better keep all of your cats up to date! Don’t be crazy, protect against rabies!
So what is the lesson that I hope everyone learned today, class? Be a responsible cat owner and regardless of whether or not Mr.Bigglesworth goes outside, he needs annual vet visits. The doctor will recommend vaccines or follow ups based on your cat’s individual case. They will examine his eyes, ears, heart, lungs, joints, and everything else to make sure that it all is in working order. They can even tell if our teeth need cleaning which, as I have discussed before, can play a huge part in pet health. Still need convincing or just want to learn more about it? Visit http://www.healthypet.com/PetCare/PetCareArticle.aspx?title=Wellness_Exams for more info.
Let’s face it, I could definitely escape my staff if I really wanted to, but I gotta say I’m pretty darn spoiled. My staff is also good at noticing when I’m not myself, so living at the vet has actually been a pretty cushy life. Speaking of which, it’s time for Dr. Garrood to hand feed me my yogurt. So I’ll see you next month!
Purrs,
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| Mason |
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