Wellness Care

Physical Exams

Regular physical exams are the cornerstone of your cat's health, whether he or she is a playful kitten or a "senior" cat. We recommend that all cats receive an annual exam, though more frequent exams are better. We provide a "nose to tail" examination of your feline companion. As part of the exam, we check your pet's nose, eyes and ears, examine your cat's teeth and oral cavity, listen to the heart and lungs, check the skin and coat for unusual lumps or swelling, palpate the abdomen and muscles and perform an orthopedic evaluation of the bones, joints and back.

A regular exam has many benefits for your cat. Using the information collected during an exam, our veterinarians can establish a complete health profile of your feline companion. This information is invaluable when giving vaccines, administering anesthesia before surgery and diagnosing your pet when health problems arise. Frequent exams can help us spot potential health problems in your cat before they become more difficult—and more expensive—to treat.

The Cat Hospital of Orlando offers complete wellness programs for kittens and cats entering their senior years.

Immunizations

Thanks to advances in veterinary medicine during the last decade, many common feline diseases can be prevented through vaccination. Along with regular check-ups, up-to-date vaccinations are the cornerstone of preventive health care and a key part of keeping your cat healthy. We realize that every cat is different—that's why we will work with you to tailor a vaccination protocol that suits your pet's unique needs and lifestyle.

Geriatric Care

Cats age more rapidly than humans. The life expectancy of a cat today is approximately 20 years, and while it may seem like only yesterday that your feline friend was a playful kitten, your cat begins entering his or her senior years as early as the age of seven. Senior cats have different health care requirements than younger cats and the veterinarians at the Cat Hospital of Orlando will work with you to develop a comprehensive senior cat wellness program.

A cat's health changes with age. Physical and mental changes occur, just as they do with people. Most older cats sleep more than they did when young, and they usually sleep more deeply. They may not be able to jump quite as high. They may lose or gain weight, depending on their metabolism.

You will most likely find that your cat needs to go the veterinarian a bit more often as it ages. You will also find it beneficial to prevent a health issue from becoming serious by going to the veterinarian early. It's always easier to treat a disease in its early stage.

As cats age, preventive heath care is increasingly important. Older cats are at an increased risk of developing diseases such as diabetes, heart or thyroid disease, cancer and others. Because these diseases do not always exhibit external symptoms, they can go often go undetected. We recommend cats age seven and older undergo a complete wellness exam twice a year, in order to prevent or quickly treat disease.

During an exam, we will perform a complete physical exam of your pet. Our veterinarians listen to your pet's heart and lungs, check your pet's vision and hearing and look for any unusual lumps or swelling, among other procedures. A full dental exam is also performed and a series of blood tests are conducted in order to detect the presence of tumors, kidney and liver disease and other ailments.

Most importantly, we encourage you to take an active role in the care of your senior pet. A decline in energy, a decrease in vision and hearing, weight gain, dental disease and skin conditions are all signs of old age—as these signs begin to appear, inform your veterinarian and keep track of any changes in your pet's behavior or overall health. The veterinarians and staff at the Cat Hospital of Orlando understand the bond you share with your cat and it is our goal to make sure you and your cat enjoy many years together.

Pain Management

You cat's safety and comfort during surgery are very important to us. At the Cat Hospital of Orlando, we utilize a series of of anesthetic protocols and pain management guidelines designed to keep your pet comfortable and free of stress during surgical procedures. State-of-the-art monitoring equipment, such as blood pressure monitors and EKG machines, are used during surgery. We utilize the safest available anesthetics to provide an extra margin of safety, especially for our older or high-risk patients. Additionally, all surgical patients, including those undergoing routine procedures such as spay/neuter surgeries, receive pain control medication. We encourage you to discuss pain management options with our veterinarians.

Emergency Care

The Cat Hospital of Orlando provides emergency medical services until 11 p.m. After 11 p.m., we refer patients to the Veterinary Emergency Clinic of Central Florida, located at 195 Concord Dr., Casselberry, FL 32707. Call 407-644-4449 for directions.

Disaster Preparedness

When it comes to staying safe when hurricanes or other disasters strike, preparation is key. Is your pet included in these plans? Many shelters, hotels and other lodging facilities will not accept pet guests, even in the event of a disaster. Having an emergency plan for your pet in place is important. Click here for the Cat Hospital of Orlando's tips on creating an emergency plan for your pet.