Home Health - Check List

Cats are experts at hiding illness. It is common for a cat to have a serious medical problem, yet not show any sign of it until the condition is quite advanced. Since most diseases can be managed more successfully when detected and treated early in their course, it is important for owners of cats especially senior cats to carefully monitor their behaviour and health. We at Killarney Cat Hospital care about your cat's health. We believe your pet is a unique, special individual. We try not to rush you through your visit. To allow us to better serve your pet's needs and individualize the care he or she requires, please answer the following questions by circling any abnormalities you have observed. Please bring this questionnaire with you for your next appointment and feel free to discuss it with your veterinarian.

 

NORMAL SYMPTOMS

Is acting normal, and is in good spirits
Does not tire easily with exercise
Does not have seizures
Has a normal appetite
Has a normal thirst
Does not vomit or regurgitate
Has normal appearing bowel movements
Urinates in usual amounts; colour is normal
Always uses the litterbox
Has no offensive habits
Gums are pink, no redness, swelling or bleeding
Has clean, white teeth free from plaque, tartar.
No bad breath
Nose is free from discharge
Eyes are bright, clear and free from discharge
Doesn't drag its bottom or chew itself excessively
Has a full glossy coat, no missing hair, no mats
Doesn't scratch excessively
Has a body free from fleas, ticks, lice or mites
Has a body free from lumps/bumps
Ears are clean and odor free
Doesn't shake its head excessively
Has normal hearing
Walks without stiffness
Healthy looking feet and nails
Breathes normally, doesn't cough
Is not in pain

 

ABNORMAL SYMPTOMS

Less active, lethargic, quiet, hyperactive, aggressive
Biting, scratching, chewing, licking odd things, excessive meowing
Tired after short exercise, pants
Short or long lasting tremors, drooling, urinating, disoriented
Decreased appetite; increased appetite
Increased thirst; drinks excessively or more than before; cats which eat mainly canned food may not drink water at all
Intermittent vomiting of undigested food, bile, clear liquid or hairballs
Loose stools, diarrhea, watery stools, dry and hard stools, mucus or blood in stool, licking anus, unusual colour of stool
Increased urine volume, frequent urination, straining when urinating, incontinent, smelly urine, change in colour of urine, small amount or no urine in litterbox
Urinates out of litterbox, urinates on inappropriate areas
Bites hands, legs, plays rough
Gums are red, swollen, easily bleeds, gums are pale, yellow, bluish
Has bad breath, has heavy dental tartar, teeth are loose. Refuses to eat dry food
Clear, yellow, green discharge from one or both nostrils, sneezes often
Watery eyes, tearing often, red eyes, sensitive to light, cloudy and hazy eyes. Vision problems
Scooting and excessive licking of anal area
Poor body condition, overweight, enlarged abdomen, rough looking coat, dry coat, oily and smelly coat, mated coat, dander, excessive shedding, , bald spots, scabs and scratches, infected and draining wounds, itchy spots
Frequent scratching and biting his skin, excessive grooming
Excessive scratching and biting, self-mutilation
Lumps and bumps
Brown, yellow, black, dry or watery discharge in ear canal or on top of ears
Frequent head shaking
Deaf or selective hearing
Not able to jump as before, stiff hind end, wobbly
brittle nails, sore and overgrown nails
Coughs frequently, dry or moist cough, gaggs, labored breathing, wheezes, sneezes, nasal discharge, nose bleeds
Hides, not social, does like to be petted, sore on touch