We’ve already had the cats vs. dog debate, but let’s reiterate one of the main reasons cats won. Feline friends are incredibly healthy and rarely need trips to the vet. Yes, there are outliers, but generally speaking, cat people spend far less on vet fees. This can create the illusion that cats never have health issues, and that’s far from the truth.
As your cat ages, Mister Whiskers becomes more likely to have health issues. To my missus, I am just an oversized kitten. But, at six years old, I am well into my quarter-life crisis! I am also now at risk for a few issues.
Here’s what happened and why I needed surgery.
When Georgia volunteers first rescued me, they neutered me and gave me a full checkup. I was in perfect health when missus adopted me. I spent 99% of my life indoors, so I never got another complete checkup until a week before we hit the road. I passed this one with flying colors.
After a year on the road, missus took me to my second annual checkup in California. This one I passed but not with flying colors. The doctor was concerned about inflammation in my gum. However, it then went away, and missus thought all was well.
Then came my third annual checkup in Mexico. The vet recommended a teeth cleaning, which led to the discovery of THREE cavities in three of my primary teeth. The vet tried to save the teeth, but ultimately, he had to remove them.
The good news? Aside from soreness in the mouth, I am 100% healthy again.
Here’s what you can do to keep your cat healthy.
Missus asked the vet, “Is this my fault? What could I have done differently?”
“Nothing,” he answered. “Some cats are just predisposed to tartar and cavities. The best thing you can do is get annual checkups, which you’re already doing.”
I have stressed the importance of annual checkups and vet visits before. So, it was nice to hear it from the professional himself! The sooner you catch on to issues, the sooner you can fix them.
Here’s how much it costs and how you can save money.
If you’re worried about cost, consider taking your pet across the border. My surgery cost us $340.27 in Rocky Point. Missus had received a potential quote for the surgery when my gum was initially inflamed in the US. The price was between $1,500 and $4,000, depending on the work needed.
How’s that for cost savings?
I’m happy we were able to catch the issue before it grew even worse. But, I’m even happier we were in a country where my missus could afford the procedures to rectify the problems.
If you can’t or don’t want to cross the border into Mexico, you can look into pet insurance. We saw several quotes for under $20 per month. However, rates ultimately depend on the age and health of your cat. Remember that your fur baby does not have Obamacare protections, so preexisting conditions are not covered.
Let this serve as your reminder to take your kitty in for a checkup if you haven’t already this year. Happy travels!