Vet Care

Navigating Veterinary Care

Finding a good vet is like finding a good pediatrician. You need a partner in your cat’s health. “Cat Friendly Practices” (certified by AAFP) are clinics that take extra steps to reduce stress, like separate waiting rooms and handling techniques that respect feline autonomy.

The Annual Exam

Even if your cat looks healthy, the annual exam is non-negotiable. Vets check for:

• Heart murmurs (often audible long before heart failure)
• Abdominal masses or organ enlargement
• Dental resorption (extremely painful holes in teeth)
• Weight trends (slow loss is a major red flag)

Emergency vs. Wait-and-See

Knowing when to rush to the ER saves lives. Go immediately if:

• Male cat straining to pee: This is a fatal blockage.
• Open-mouth breathing: Cats only pant when in extreme distress.
• Sudden paralysis of rear legs: A symptom of a blood clot (Saddle Thrombus).
• Ingestion of lilies: Every part of a lily is toxic and causes kidney failure.

Pet Insurance

Veterinary medicine has advanced, but so have costs. An MRI or cancer treatment can cost thousands. Pet insurance, purchased while the cat is young and healthy (pre-existing conditions aren’t covered), is the best financial buffer you can have.