Sophie's World

Down with the flu. Regular posts will resume next week. Stay well, everyone!

“Your cat will never threaten your popularity by barking at three in the morning.  He won’t attack the mailman or eat the drapes, although he may climb the drapes to see how the room looks from the ceiling.”

~Helen Powers

Photo by buildscharacter’s

You love your cat.  You certainly want the best for her.  Your best pet insurance is preventive care.  What does that mean exactly?

All pets should have regular exams.  This is not only to identify new conditions, but to build a history so your veterinarian can identify trends and changes.  Some illnesses can appear quickly–or they may seem to.  Cats tend to behave closer to their wild counterparts.  Just as a wild cat would not want to show weakness or vulnerability, so does your cat attempt to hide symptoms.  When a cat does act sick, something is very wrong allowing her feelings to trump her natural instincts.

Vaccinations should be up to date, especially so if your cat goes out at all.  While your veterinarian may make some adjustments to your cat’s vaccination schedule based on her lifestyle, remember by law, her rabies vaccination must be current.

Another aspect of good preventive care is dental health.  It’s not just about white teeth.  It’s about preventing infections and other more serious conditions.  The best preventive care is brushing your pet’s teeth.  Of course, not all cats are so willing.  If not, a daily dental treat like CET Cat Treats will help keep her teeth healthy in a more passive way.

A good diet is the foundation for good health.  Cats being the carnivores that they are, thrive best on a diet low in carbs and higher in protein.  While opinions vary, canned food is a better choice in replicating their natural diet.  Cats don’t drink a lot of water.  Canned food provides the necessary moisture.

Finally, build a good relationship with your cat.  Handle them frequently.  In this way, you can spot abnormalities such as lumps and cysts more quickly.  Early diagnosis of a condition increases your pet’s life span.  Providing good and regular preventive care is your best pet insurance.

Cats are rather delicate creatures and they are subject to a good many ailments, but I never heard of one who suffered from insomnia.

~Joseph Wood Krutch

Photo by Sami Keinanen

How refreshing is it to stumble upon a company’s website whose mission is “…to provide the best care possible to all of our patients…”.

This is the kind of homework you want to do before selecting a veterinarian.  A look at the American Animal Care Center company profile gives a potential client just the kind of information that indicates a good choice.

Preventive care is a wise health care path not only for people, but for pets too.  Preventing an issue from developing saves the pet unnecessary discomfort.  As a pet owner, that is probably foremost in your mind. A pet is a member of the family, or should be anyway.

If a condition does develop, non-invasive techniques, again, spare the pet, but also allow for a better diagnosis.  The American Animal Care Center is a model for such services like blood chemistry analysis and digital radiology. So much can be learned from such services, speeding your pet to recovery.  The earlier a condition is identified, the sooner it can be treated.

There’s more to take away from a view of the care center’s website.  The company has an online presence on several social networking sites such as Twitter and Linked In.  You can even find a American Animal Care Center video. What a great way for potential clients to “meet” you before selecting a clinic.

In summary, here are some things to consider when choosing a veterinarian:

What is their mission statement?

  Do you agree with their philosophy?

How much in house diagnostics can be done?

Early diagnosis saves discomfort and improves your pet’s prognosis.

How available is the clinic?

American Animal Care Center is a 24/7 facility and you can interact with them online.  Now that’s someone who wants you business.