Hi ,
My cat and dog have an annual booster and they are checked over at
the same time . I think it's important , and older cats and dogs
should have twice yearly check ups.

--
       Alison

Links to animal  information websites
http://mysite.freeserve.com/petinfolinks/

I have always had an annual exam for each of my cats.  It is done at the
same time as any booster shots.  Now that Holly is 8 years old ( think I
said 9 years old in one message, then realized that I had added a year), I
had a full panel blood work done.  She is healthy and has never been sick,
but this will give us a baseline to use as a guide as she gets older.  Duffy
is approximately 5 years old and was adopted several months ago.  I had more
extensive tests done because he came from an animal shelter and before that
from a home that might not have given him the best care -- so he had
vaccinations, heartworm test, thyroid check, blood pressure, full panel
blood test, and FeLV (ELISA) test.  Everything checked out fine.  Now we
will go back to routine annual exams for a few years.  This is more
information than you requested, but you can see from this that I do think it
is important to have regular exams.  It helps us to monitor our pets'
health, and might catch some problems early (instead of too late) -- just as
with annual exams for people.  This is particularly important for your cat
because he is 10 years old and is becoming a "senior citizen" (although I
admit that I don't really look at mine as "seniors" at that age -- mine
never showed any signs of aging until well past 10 years).

MaryL
(take out the litter to reply)

Photos of Duffy and Holly (pictorial history of my blind cat Duffy's
integration into our household):
Duffy, Part I: The Introduction -- http://tinyurl.com/8y54
Duffy, Part II: Life at Home -- http://tinyurl.com/8y56

I think it's very important.  My cats get annual wellness checks where they get
a blood panel and a physical examination.  I also think it's important as cats
get older to have annual check ups.

Lauren
________
See my cats:  http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe
Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html
http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html
Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm

Cats over 8 should have *semiannual* exams including CBC/chem screen,
urinalysis, fecal exam and (indirect) blood pressure check.  And if your
finances permit, thoracic and abdominal x-rays - to catch cancer in the
early stages when its most responsive to treatment.

Remember, after the first year, each human year is physiologically
equivalent to *4* years for a cat.  A lot of changes can take place in that
time.

Phil.

I would, particularly if she is going to have anesthesia for her teeth
cleaning. Bloodwork won't detect certain heart problems, but your vet may hear
a murmur or other potential problems that may help him/her determine what kind
of anesthesia to use and monitoring to use.

Yes, I think it's important, (just like it is for people!) Not only do
they check vitals and give needed vaccinations, but it's also a good
time to discuss any concerns with your vet (such as weight gain or
loss, changes in habits, etc.)

Rene

noswen@nospam.com (yeah..whatever)  writes

Yes. you should allow for an annual vet check up.