When a cat or kitten comes into Ten Lives their health status is unknown. As well as a physical exam, the vet team will also perform various diagnostic tests to assist us with identifying or diagnosing health concerns. All cats over the age of eight years old are considered senior and have a blood test to check their overall health prior to adoption.
We take a blood sample from the jugular vein and send it to a laboratory.
The results tell us about the kidney and liver function and the red and white cell levels. If a cat or kitten is unwell on arrival at the centre or becomes unwell at the centre or while in foster the vets will carry out tests as appropriate. For example we may send away tissue samples for histology, urine samples for culture, or faecal samples to check for evidence of disease causing organisms.
Some of our patients: Ava
Ava came to us with ears that were full of wax and debris, likely caused by ear mites. Ava has had two ear flushes in her time with us as well as numerous checks, unfortunately the infection did not clear after the first flush so a second was required.
An ear flush involves a quick anaesthetic (the first was done during the anaesthetic for her spey) and flushing the canals using saline and a specialised veterinary ear cleaner until all wax and debris is cleared. Ava was placed on medicated ear drops for many weeks to try and clear her mixed bacterial and yeast infection. It would improve significantly but always reoccur after stopping the medication. This can happen if a cat has underlying food allergies which inflame the ears and predispose to infection. Ava was placed on a special diet for food allergies which seemed to help (thankfully she also enjoyed eating the food).
She needed some further oral medication to clear the remaining infection and we are hopeful they can stay that way. Ava is now up for adoption but we will offer ongoing vet care for Ava until we are sure her ears will not cause an ongoing problem.
BONUS: Behind the Scenes – Loki’s Dental
All cats at Ten Lives have their teeth checked prior to being passed for adoptions.
It is common for cats to get dental disease as they get older, especially if their genetics (think pure breeds with squashed faces), and diet (think soft food or small kibble that does not require chewing) lend themselves to it. Our vet room is equipped with a dental machine and each week we will preform dental surgery on a number of cats.
If there is just a build up of plaque or tartar then a scale and polish is sufficient, just like us having an annual clean at our dentist. However, if gums have become inflamed or receded, or if teeth are chipped or have painful resorptive lesions, then teeth may need to be extracted. Cats are placed on pain relief and antibiotics and recover in foster after a major dental.
These pictures are from Loki’s dental procedure. Loki, a senior pure breed, required extraction of one of his molars before adoption.
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As a V.E.T.S. Club member it is your subscription that allows the Ten Lives vet team to provide the much needed care that Gordon received – and for cats just like him. So, Thank you.