Tabby all patched up

Remember Tabitha? She was diagnosed with kidney disease earlier this year. After a bit of persuasion she took  to her special diet for failing kidneys with relish, although she misses her weekly fresh rabbit.
This week she had her progress tests. Her potassium levels were fine - diseased kidneys lose potassium - and her phosphorus levels were normal too. If phosphorous gets too high or potassium too low then cats lose their appetite and feel ill.
We were concerned to find that her creatinine levels were creeping up but as they are not affecting her appetite or quality of life we will just monitor her again in 3 months time.
Overall the special low protein, low phosphorous, high potassium kidney diet is keeping her healthy and happy so that she can properly supervise the next patchwork project - and at 16 years of age that's pretty important!

Senior health screening discount

Have you booked your older cat for a senior screen yet? Coco has been reading about the advantages of 6-12 monthly checks for cats over 10 years of age and is worried that some of her friends might miss out on the Hills senior screening program.

Hills are offering a $20 discount on the cost of a check up and any tests that have to be done. Just go to Hills senior screening to print your voucher out. Book a check up with us and bring the voucher with you.

(No worries if you haven't got access to a printer - just ask our receptionist to print a voucher out for you)

Surprising seniors!

Our cats are living longer lives than ever before because of desexing, better diet and improved health care. Many of Hall Veterinary Surgery’s feline patients live well into their teens and your cat could too.

Cats are very good at hiding illness and discomfort. It is easy to overlook subtle changes in appetite and behaviour. Changes in bodyweight are often the first sign of disease. Regular examinations of the mouth, joints and eyes pick up some signs of disease. Increased blood pressure warns of kidney or thyroid disease. Many serious health problems in cats are only picked up with blood and urine tests.
Diseases commonly seen in older cats include arthritis, dental disease, kidney insufficiency, hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus and bowel disease. Often cats have several of them at a time. If we detect problems early and manage them appropriately then our feline friends can enjoy longer, happier and more comfortable lives.
The key to detecting and managing most of these diseases is regular monitoring of body weight, body condition and blood pressure. Urine and blood tests are important in kidney and thyroid disease while serial examination of joints, eyes and teeth triggers early preventative strategies.

Annual checkups are adequate until 10 years of age. Because cats age four times more rapidly than humans we recommend twice a year checks from 10 years of age on.

Oscar has a lump off

Oscar is a beautifully mannered senior Russian Blue who has graciously allowed us to publish the photographs of his journey through Hall Vet Surgery today.We removed a lump from the side of his neck because lumps in cats' skin are often tumours with the potential to spread or at least cause considerable local discomfort. 

Oscar has the hair clipped over his jugular vein so that we can take a sample of his blood.  We tested his blood to make sure his vital organs would handle the anaesthetic. 

Nurse Elissa tests Oscar's blood in our laboratory

Oscar under general anaesthetic with the hair clipped from his neck and the lump clearly visible

Oscar in surgery with Nurse Suzanne monitoring his vital signs

The surgical site after the lump was removed

Oscar recovering from his surgery