WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Aug. 6 Cats seem so independent, it's easy for their owners to get caught up in work, family and every day life and forget to bring them into the veterinarian for regular annual exams. In a recent national survey conducted in Spring 2009 by Feline Pine, America's best-selling natural cat litter, more than one-third of respondents claimed to only bring their cats to the veterinarian when they are sick, and only 17 percent of those surveyed had their cats regularly vaccinated against diseases like rabies and distemper.
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Cats are important members of the family. So, to help remind their owners of the importance of regular exams, Feline Pine has partnered with feline specialist Dr. Michele Gaspar, DVM and the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in Chicago, to establish National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day. The inaugural event will be August 22, 2009.
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"Although your cat may appear perfectly healthy, it's still very important to bring them to the veterinarian for an annual exam so they stay that way," says Dr. Gaspar. "We want to remind people that a thorough exam is the key to maintaining good health. With a thorough exam, a veterinarian can pick up clues of illness that may warrant testing and prevent suffering."
Cat guardians can visit www.felinepine.com and sign up for an email reminder from Dr. Gaspar that will alert them to call and schedule a regular check-up appointment with their veterinarian. The reminder is for owners of both indoor and outdoor cats. According to the Feline Pine survey of cat owners, more than one-third of respondents believed that their cats do not need vaccinations because they do not go outdoors.
"In the past, annual vaccines against many diseases were the rule. Today's veterinarians stress the annual exam, with only those vaccines appropriate for the cat's lifestyle, as the most important aspects of feline wellness," added Dr. Gaspar.
Dr. Gaspar posts topical articles about feline health and behavior in her "Vet Chat" series on www.felinepine.com. Subscribe to her RSS feed for regular updates.
SOURCE Feline Pine
