WHEN YOUR KITTEN BECOMES A “GREY PANTHER…”
When your “little
kitten” becomes about ten years old we feel that he or she is entering
the “golden years”. Consequently, certain
symptoms can start appearing and can be important for us to know about.
Generally speaking, we advise to watch for and report significant
changes in attitude, appetite, activity, weight, water consumption and
urination. Certain geriatric problems can be responsible for increases
in some of the above, while others can cause decrease. Physical
problems like vomiting, diarrhea, straining to urinate or defecate,
stiffness, vision problems, bad breath or eating problems and skin
lumps can be associated with potentially serious diseases or disorders
and should be addressed. Even with a healthy older cat, a good time to
review any changes is during an annual physical examination. With the
advances in veterinary medical care coupled with conscientious home
care, pets are statistically living longer, better quality
lives------and we want your “grey panther” to be in that number!
MICROCHIPPING
The Definitive Way of Identifying Your Cat
Microchips are great for cats that won’t wear collars or are always
losing them. Should your cat be injured and taken to a veterinarian or
shelter by a Good Samaritan, any hospital with a scanner will be able
to locate you. Also, if Animal Control ever picks up your cat they will
be able to find out who owns him and how to reach you. Even
microchipping indoor cats is a good idea in case of an emergency
requiring quick evacuation where you may temporarily be separated from
your cat. The procedure for placing the microchip is quick and easy. It
is placed in a hypodermic needle and slid under the skin much like
giving a vaccine. Anesthesia or sedation is not necessary, and the
procedure requires only a regular office call or a visit with our
technician. Your cat’s personal identification number (his PIN, if you
will) is put inside a tiny rice-shaped piece of biocompatible material
(called “a microchip”) and placed under the skin over the top of his
shoulders. By holding a hand-held scanner near the area the number
reads on the screen built into the scanner. By registering your current
address and contact numbers with the chip maker they will keep a record
of each cat’s personal chip number and identify you as the owner as
soon as some one calls. It is always a good idea to also include an
alternative person to contact in case you may not be available. No two
animals will ever have the same numbers and the microchip will never
wear out or cause your cat any discomfort.