Proper oral care requires anesthesia so that teeth can be probed, dental x-rays performed, and thorough cleaning above and below the gum line completed. We tailor the anesthesia to your individual cat’s health and condition, and we use safe and short-acting products. We do offer hand scaling of the teeth, however, this service is only adequate with mild tartar buildup and with patients that cooperate with this type of procedure.

Raise the upper lip of the cat’s mouth and look towards the sides of the teeth. If the teeth are not white but are yellow, brown, or look like they have tartar and plaque, they need cleaning. If a bad odor exists, this is usually due to bacterial overgrowth in the gums and is a sign of gingivitis. A raised red line above the teeth is another sign of gingivitis.

There could be a number of reasons why your cat has stopped eating. If your cat hasn’t eaten in a 24-hour period, you should schedule an appointment ASAP. Even if the initial cause of inappetence is not serious, cats that do not eat for a couple of days can develop hepatic lipidosis/fatty liver disease and this is a dangerous complication.

You can try offering the medication in specially designed treats such as Pill Wrap or Pill Pockets. You can discuss having the medication prescribed in a different form with the doctor. Some medications are available as liquids and others can be made into liquids, transdermal gels, or treats by compounding pharmacies. Giving Your Cat Medication

Both vomiting and diarrhea are caused by a variety of medical and dietary factors. It can be as simple as eating a bug or as complicated as exposure to a toxin or major organ dysfunction. If vomiting or diarrhea last more than 24 hours, or if your cat is lethargic, weak, or dehydrated, we recommend having your cat assessed by a vet as soon as possible.

Your cat should be examined to determine the cause. Possible causes include viral or bacterial infections, corneal ulcer, and foxtail or other material under the eyelid.

Hair loss can be caused by several things including a fungal infection (ringworm), flea allergies, food allergies, environmental allergies, or other dermatoses.

Your cat needs to be examined to determine if this is an infection from a cat bite, a growth or tumor, an insect sting, an injection reaction, or some other type of allergic response.

You can use a hairball paste, which you can give your cat every other day. Most cats love this and will lick it right off your finger. You can also use fiber, such as psyllium, daily. Pre-measured veterinary capsules are available. There are also other hairball preventing diets and treats. Daily combing helps decrease the amount of hair your cat will ingest during grooming.

We recommend retroviral testing for all cats. Retroviruses can lay dormant, similar to AIDS in humans, and can cause problems later in life. They can be spread to other cats by direct contact, so it is best to screen any new cat before exposure to other cats.