A word from VCA Animal Hospitals regarding Feline Health and Special promotions from VCA for pet owners: now through August 31, 2011, VCA Animal Hospitals is offering FREE first exams for Felines, PLUS as special cat food offer from Hills, and FREE first doses of heartworm prevention mediation (with the purchase of six doses).

Pet ownership always has its benefits. Dogs are man’s best friend, hamsters entertain us, and goldfish make owning a pet seem less daunting. But, when it comes to understanding our emotions and improving owner health, one pet seems to stand above all the rest: cats. Cats have an intuitive understanding of their owners’ needs and feelings, and they provide a unique pet-to-owner relationship that often times goes unmatched.

Just as felines know when their owners are sick, it’s crucial for us to be aware of our cats’ needs as well. To highlight this, VCA Animal Hospitals is calling attention to the importance of cat health.

Do you know how often you should be taking your cat to the vet? Are you aware of the signs and symptoms cats may show if they are in need of medical care?

VCA Animal Hospitals has selected some helpful articles about the diseases cats are prone to and ways that pet lovers can become better caretakers for their cats from its extensive resource library:

Cat Disease(s) including common health occurrences and care

Diabetes:

  • “Diabetes mellitus is the second most common endocrine disease in cats.”
  • Seen more frequently in middle to old-age cats and is more common in males than females.
  • Clinical signs seen in diabetic patients are an increase in water consumption and urination, and weight loss. (An increase in appetite may be noticed in some cats).
  • Medical clinical signs include persistently elevated blood glucose concentration and the presence of glucose in the urine.
  • Treatments include appropriate insulin dosages, removal of an predisposing causes for the diabetes and feeding the cat a being fed a well-balanced diet that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates.

General cat health:

Grooming and Coat Care for Your Cat

  • Health and nutrition influence the luster and texture of your cat’s coat from the inside.
  • A healthy animal will not shed excessively and will have a shiny coat that is free from dandruff or greasiness.
  • All cats benefit from regular brushing to remove loose hairs and dead skin cells, to keep the coat free of dirt, debris, and external parasites, and to distribute natural skin oils along the hair shafts.
  • You should inspect your cat’s coat every day to make sure there are no tangles or clumps that have developed under the armpits, in the groin, or behind the ears
  • Stiff bristle brushes will help remove loose hairs from cats with short coats or sparse undercoats, while long-toothed metal combs or brushes are useful to remove loose hair and smooth minor tangles in medium and long-haired cats.
  • Instead of bathing a cat at home, many people choose to take their cat to a professional groomer for bathing, or have their veterinarian sedate the cat to be groomed at the veterinary clinic.

For more information and general articles geared towards cat health, please feel free to refer to the Pet Health Information tab on VCA Animal Hospitals’ website.