{"id":24629,"date":"2021-10-21T15:18:41","date_gmt":"2021-10-21T15:18:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/?p=24629"},"modified":"2024-01-02T16:18:46","modified_gmt":"2024-01-02T16:18:46","slug":"no-time-to-weight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/sponsored\/no-time-to-weight\/","title":{"rendered":"No Time to Weight"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s no secret that getting feline patients into the clinic for regular exams can be more of a challenge than it is with dogs. Cats tend to be much more anxious during veterinary visits, and there is a prevailing myth among many cat owners that indoor cats don\u2019t need annual exams if they appear to be healthy. However, what many cat owners don\u2019t realize is that routine exams play a vital part in their pet\u2019s health by providing the veterinarian with benchmarks on weight and body and muscle condition score.<\/p>\n

Weight loss is more than a number<\/h3>\n

While obesity in pets often gets the most attention, unintended weight loss can be just as detrimental to the cat\u2019s health and needs to be addressed early. Studies have shown that chronically underweight cats may have a shortened lifespan and are more vulnerable to infectious disease, delayed wound healing, and changes in hepatic metabolic function.\u00b9 Cats with a body condition score of 6 had the highest survival rate, while that lifespan was shortened for those with a body score of less than 5.\u00b9<\/p>\n

Unexplained weight loss isn\u2019t just an issue in underweight cats, but overweight cats are also at risk for developing additional health issues if their weight loss is unintended. Since weight loss can indicate a variety of underlying health concerns, recognizing and addressing the problem is key.<\/p>\n

Recognizing the problem<\/h3>\n

Ideally, cat owners should bring their pets in at least once annually for a routine examination, but unfortunately, many only visit the veterinarian when there is a visible problem. With a yearly exam, benchmarks can be noted like weight, as well as body condition score (BCS) and muscle condition score (MCS) which can help the veterinarian determine if the cat is at its ideal weight.<\/p>\n

If a cat is brought into the clinic with the concern that they have lost weight, getting additional information from the cat owner can help the veterinarian determine if environmental factors, like stressful events, or an underlying health condition could be the cause.<\/p>\n

Some client prompts for additional information include:<\/p>\n

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  1. Have you noticed a change in your cat\u2019s eating habits? If so, when did it first occur?<\/li>\n
  2. How many times a day does your cat visit the food bowl?<\/li>\n
  3. Have there been major changes in the home environment? These can include guests, a new baby, or the loss of a pet.<\/li>\n
  4. Has your cat experienced any other clinical signs like diarrhea, vomiting, or constipation? Is your cat drinking or urinating more than usual?<\/li>\n
  5. Have you noticed any other behavioral changes like altered grooming habits, increased vocalization, or reluctance to use the litter box?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Monitoring the cat at home<\/h3>\n

    While weight loss may sometimes be a gradual problem that is hard for cat owners to recognize, there are simple things they can do at home to see if their cat is maintaining their ideal weight. A basic BCS\/MCS can easily be noted while the owner is petting a cat, and they should take note of:<\/p>\n