Feline Senior Wellness Awareness

 

Spring 2014

 

Were you aware that our feline friends are considered a senior pet over the age of just 7yrs?

If you’ve ever watched your furry feline pounce on a catnip mouse or a favorite toy, you’ve witnessed the vestiges of his/her wild predatory nature. Since the rule among predatory creatures is “eat or be eaten” cats instinctively hide their pain as a survival mechanism to prevent other predators from viewing them as weak and/or vulnerable.

 

As cat owners, we mistakenly assumed that because cats didn’t show us signs of pain, they didn’t feel pain. This simply is not true. The nervous system of a cat is relatively similar to that of a human, so it stands to reason that what is painful to humans is probably painful to our furry friends. A behavior that’s protective in the wild can be problematic in the home, making it very difficult for our owners to when our pet is in pain.

 

Signs your cat may be in pain:

*the rule of thumb: Any time your cat starts to exhibit unusual behaviors, it’s time for a trip to your veterinarian. Signs of pain may include:

> Lack of grooming

 

> Reduction in activity, such as jumping, playing or walking

 

>Less interaction with the family

 

>Hiding

 

>Loss of appetite and weight loss

 

>Flinching or aggression when being handled

 

>Inappropriate urination or defecation outside litter box

 

>Increased vocalization

 

*While older cats may not show obvious signs of pain, X-Rays show us otherwise. Cats can suffer from arthritis in the limbs and spine and the signs are usually subtle.

 

We at Peel Animal Hospital are pleased to announce that we are under new ownership and with that, we have the same familiar faces but new lower fees!

 

Our *NEW* feline wellness testing packages (laboratory blood work) are as follows:

 

Package 1 $148.98*   (Regular Price $380.78)

 

Includes: Comprehensive Chemistry, Complete Blood Count, Thyroid, Urinalysis and Blood Pressure Readings

 

Package 2 $73.47*   (Regular Price $190.40)

 

Includes: Basic Chemistry, Complete Blood Count, Thyroid, Urinalysis, Blood Pressure Readings

 

*prices do not include blood collection ($31.30)

 

 

 

*Also note that we are offering 20% off ALL our dentals (with extractions) for the spring season for all our feline and canine friends. Call to set up a courtesy appointment to evaluate your pet’s oral health.

 

 

 

Mission Statement and Standards of Practice: Peel Animal Hospital strives to provide the highest standards of veterinary medicine and surgery. Our approach is built upon our foundation of preventive medicine, based on vaccination, physical exams, wellness testing, our spaying/neutering program and parasitic preventatives such as Revolution®. We endeavor to guide our clients in the care of their beloved pets, much like we would for our own cherished cats and dogs.