Senior Cat Health Clinics
Our Senior Cat Health Clinic offers owners the opportunity to monitor your cat’s health on a regular basis. The clinic is run by our experienced nursing team and consultations are FREE OF CHARGE.
Clinics are available at both our Hillock Lane practice and our Blackpool branch. If you would like to start regularly monitoring your cat’s health or a vet has recommended that you book a complimentary senior cat clinic, you can do so by speaking to a member of the client care team.
Contact us to book a senior cat clinic
Why we offer senior cat clinics
As our pets get older their bodies slowly stop working as well as they used to. Regular checkups can ensure that any problems are detected early enough and treated sooner. We are all becoming more aware of preventative healthcare checks for ourselves as we get older, and the health benefits that can be gained from them. This is also the case for our feline friends and offers the same benefits.
Symptoms of old age related illnesses often come on slowly and are easily missed. This can unfortunately result in treatment being given too late. Modern medicine and techniques can often manage age-related illnesses and ensure your pet has a longer, healthier and happier life.
What happens in our FREE health clinics
The clinic includes a full physical examination, including a weight check. There is a complimentary urine sample test and blood pressure check which provides valuable information about any potential and unseen disease in your cat.
The clinic also provides an opportunity to discuss any behavioural changes your cat may be exhibiting as well as any other general preventative healthcare issues you may have concerns about.
By having regular health checks at the clinic, these early signs can be detected and steps taken to slow down any progression of a disease. For example, although not curable, early kidney disease can be managed very well with just a small change in diet initially which helps to slow the progression of the disease.
Common diseases of ageing cats
The following are some of the more common diseases that might affect your cat:
- Kidney disease
- Dental disease
- High blood pressure
- Arthritis
- Liver disease
- Senility and/or behavioural changes
- Respiratory disease
- Weight-related problems
- Endocrine disease
- Urinary tract disease
- Cancers and/or tumours
- Heart disease
What you should be looking out for
The following are some useful observations to make of your cat:
- Is your cat drinking more?
- Has your cat’s appetite changed?
- Has your cat lost or gained weight?
- Does your cat have smelly breath?
- Behaviour changes; Quieter? Reluctant to exercise? More aggressive? Sleepier?
- Mobility—can your cat still easily jump onto the sofa, bed or garden wall?
- Have you noticed any vomiting or diarrhoea?
- Is your cat coughing or wheezing?
- Have you noticed increased or inappropriate urination?
How can you help?
As an owner, you know your own cat best. Having observed them from a young age, you will know what is normal for them. By recognising any changes in the observations above, you will be able to bring to our attention anything that doesn’t seem usual or normal for your cat.
Getting your cat to the vet
This can be very difficult for owners and sometimes a barrier to seeking veterinary help for your cat. As part of our “Cat Friendly Clinic” status, we recognise how stressful a visit to the vet can be for our feline friends and have taken steps to reduce the stress they may feel as much as possible.
We do this by:
- Having a consultation room specifically for cats only
- Using a Feliway diffuser in the consultation room
- Having a separate waiting area for cats
- Having blankets available in reception to cover carriers
- Separate cat kennels for feline patients if they are admitted for a surgical procedure
Making vet visits easier
- Baskets should be sturdy and escape proof. Top opening versions are ideal.
- If you are transporting more than one cat, bring them in separate carriers to avoid defence aggression under stress. If your cats get on very well at home put the carriers together.
- Your cat should regard the basket as part of the furniture. It can be incorporated as a bed with the lid off. This is to create a positive association between your cat and the carrier.
- Your carrier should smell familiar to your cat. Items of your own clothing or some of your cat’s bedding can be put inside. In addition, Feliway can be used 30 minutes before putting your cat in the basket.
- Cats need to be able to hide so cover the carrier while travelling, particularly if you have a wire carrier.
- Ensure the carrier is secure in the footwell of the car or with a seatbelt, and is on a level surface.
- Talk reassuringly to your cat on the journey and avoid loud music.
- Spare bedding is advisable in case of accidents.
- On arrival at the vets, it is beneficial to use the cat only waiting area at Preston, or speak to our client care team at Blackpool about where to wait with your cat.
- Towels can be provided from Reception to put over your cat basket and placing your cat basket on a chair may be beneficial. Hiding or being up high are coping mechanisms for some cats in an unfamiliar environment to help reduce stress.
