Cats are so adept at hiding their medical issues, often until they are too advanced to be readily fixable. This underscores the importance of a thorough physical examination at least once a year for young and middle aged kitties and twice yearly for seniors.
The sooner abnormalities are detected the more likely you and your veterinarian will be able to achieve good results.
The components of a thorough physical examination
Listed below are the components of a complete and thorough physical examination for your cat.
1. Assessment of overall alertness and appearance: Does the cat appear bright, alert, and responsive?
2. Evaluation of gait: Is there any stiffness, lameness, or asymmetry?
3. Evaluation of the skin and hair coat: Are there any areas of hair loss or inflammation? Is the coat lustrous and thrifty in appearance?
4. Assessment of body condition score (BCS): On a scale of 1-9, a number is assigned that indicates whether the cat is underweight, overweight, or just right. A score of 5 indicates an ideal body weight. Numbers 1 through 4 represent gradations of being too thin, and 6 through 9 are gradations of being too heavy.
5. Measurement of the cat’s:
7. Palpation of lymph nodes: Are any enlarged or painful?
8. Listening to the heart and lungs with a stethoscope (auscultation): Are there unusual breath sounds, a heart murmur, or a heart rhythm abnormality? Auscultation should be performed on both sides of the chest.
9. Palpation of the abdomen: Are there areas or discomfort or palpable abnormalities?
10. Palpation of the thyroid glands: Are they enlarged? This is usually the case with hyperthyroid cats (producing too much thyroid hormone).
Written by Dr. Nancy Kay, DVM
The sooner abnormalities are detected the more likely you and your veterinarian will be able to achieve good results.
The components of a thorough physical examination
Listed below are the components of a complete and thorough physical examination for your cat.
1. Assessment of overall alertness and appearance: Does the cat appear bright, alert, and responsive?
2. Evaluation of gait: Is there any stiffness, lameness, or asymmetry?
3. Evaluation of the skin and hair coat: Are there any areas of hair loss or inflammation? Is the coat lustrous and thrifty in appearance?
4. Assessment of body condition score (BCS): On a scale of 1-9, a number is assigned that indicates whether the cat is underweight, overweight, or just right. A score of 5 indicates an ideal body weight. Numbers 1 through 4 represent gradations of being too thin, and 6 through 9 are gradations of being too heavy.
5. Measurement of the cat’s:
- Body weight in pounds or kilograms
- Body temperature: The normal range is 100-102 degrees Fahrenheit
- Heart rate: The normal range is 120-160 beats per minute.
- Respiratory rate: The normal rate is 16-28 breaths per minute
- Capillary refill time: This is the number of seconds it takes for the gum line to become pink after it has been blanched by finger pressure. Normal capillary refill time is 1-1.5 seconds.
7. Palpation of lymph nodes: Are any enlarged or painful?
8. Listening to the heart and lungs with a stethoscope (auscultation): Are there unusual breath sounds, a heart murmur, or a heart rhythm abnormality? Auscultation should be performed on both sides of the chest.
9. Palpation of the abdomen: Are there areas or discomfort or palpable abnormalities?
10. Palpation of the thyroid glands: Are they enlarged? This is usually the case with hyperthyroid cats (producing too much thyroid hormone).
Written by Dr. Nancy Kay, DVM