Veterinary Tests
As soon as your new cat gets to your house, you need to take her to the vet for a checkup. You should ask your veterinarian to perform these tests on your cat.
When you adopt a stray cat or one without a medical history, or any other new cat into your household, your veterinarian can perform a number of tests to determine the health status of the animal.
It’s essential to do this in order to give your cat the best care possible and to spot any health problems early on so that you can start treating them straight away. This is essential if you wish to add a new cat to your current feline family so that you don’t risk illness transmission.
Which of the following recommended veterinary exams would your doctor order if you adopt a new cat?
Comprehensive medical examination
When you first meet your new cat, your veterinarian will do a thorough physical examination to determine your pet’s overall health. Weighing your cat will show you whether he is overweight or underweight.
Your veterinarian will inspect the heart and lungs of your cat and will also see if there are any external parasites like ticks and fleas. The vet will then check your cat’s eyes to make sure they are bright and clear and check the mouth to make sure the teeth and gums are healthy.
This is a key step in ensuring the health of your new pet because your cat’s outward appearance may hint to underlying health issues to your veterinarian.
A test for blood
A screening blood test is a great way for your vet to look for any signs that your new cat might have a medical condition, even if the symptoms have not yet manifested. For instance, this test could help your veterinarian assess your cat’s thyroid and renal health and show early signs of diseases like diabetes. Senior kittens that have been adopted will greatly benefit from this.
Additionally, a blood test should be performed prior to neutering or spaying your new pet, according to many vets nowadays. The test will allow the doctor to determine the animal’s current state of health and ability to withstand anesthesia during the surgery.
Examining for parasites
For brand-new cats, a fecal examination is also indicated because this short test can determine whether the animal has any internal parasites that could be harmful to his health and spread to occupants of the house as well as other animals and people. Your veterinarian may also advise having your heartworm infection checked.
Due to a number of parasite conditions, including roundworms, your cat may get rid of worms in its feces or vomit. Even if you don’t notice any worms in your pet’s vomit or feces, you should still get this test done, especially to check for protozoa like Toxoplasma and Giardia.
Your veterinarian will prescribe the appropriate medications to get rid of any intestinal parasites or worms that have been found in your cat as soon as possible.
Testing for Infectious Disease
Your veterinarian may also recommend a fast blood test to check for the feline leukemia virus and the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) for your new cat (FeLV). The immune system is weakened by these disorders, which increases the risk of various ailments in cats. As they can transfer from one cat to another, it’s important to know whether or not your cat is infected, especially if you’re introducing him to a multi-cat household.
Your veterinarian might also suggest running other tests, depending on the state of your new cat’s health and medical background. By taking advantage of the initial veterinarian visit, use the chance to ask any questions you may have regarding the care you must provide to maintain your cat happy and healthy.
