Are subtle changes in your cat’s behaviour signalling a cry for help? Don’t wait for overt signs of illness. The London Cat Clinic is urging cat owners to be proactive in their cat’s care: regular check-ups and advanced diagnostics can reveal crucial health insights, protecting wellbeing.
Cats are “masters of disguise” when it comes to pain and discomfort. So, cat owners should be vigilant to the slightest shifts in behaviour that could indicate health issues, from minor gastrointestinal discomfort to significant cardiac conditions.
Dr Jeremy Campbell, Clinical Director at The London Cat Clinic, explained: “It is surprisingly common to have cats present to the clinic in heart failure that have appeared completely normal to their owners right up to the day or even night before the failure occurs.”
Oliver, a six-year-old British Shorthair, presented to the The London Cat Clinic for his routine six-month health assessment where a new Grade II (out of VI) heart ‘murmur’ was detected by the vet team.
Dr Campbell said: “A murmur indicates turbulent blood flow in one of the chambers of the heart and should be investigated to determine if this is ‘innocent’ or pathological with the use of advanced diagnostics including cardiac biomarkers, electrocardiogram (ECG) and cardiac ultrasound (echocardiography), which was the case with Oliver.
“The investigations found Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy (HOCM), a common condition where the blood flow out of the heart is obstructed due to left ventricular wall thickening and altered mitral valve movement. This proactive discovery allowed for the immediate development of a tailored care plan, highlighting the lifesaving power of early intervention.”
Dr Campbell emphasises the necessity of ultrasound as a non-invasive diagnostic tool: “Our facility’s on-site ultrasound capacity is instrumental in early diagnosis, vastly improving patient outcome. Ultrasound technology is integral to the clinic’s diagnostic toolkit, ” he explained. This immediate, comprehensive care under one roof reflects The London Cat Clinic’s commitment to top-tier veterinary service.
As a non-invasive method, it provides a definitive view of a cat’s internal health, proving essential for a full spectrum of assessments, including trauma, pregnancy, and various disease states.
Extending beyond its ultrasonography services, The London Cat Clinic’s services include specialised care in dentistry, ophthalmology, and internal medicine, all essential components of the clinic’s ‘Feline Fine Healthcare Plan’ (Cat Care Plan | Pet Health Plan | The London Cat Clinic) This holistic plan is indicative of the clinic’s commitment to upholding the health and wellbeing of its feline patients through proactive and preventive strategies.
For more information on the in-house ultrasound service and other preventive healthcare options available at The London Cat Clinic, please visit: https://www.thelondoncatclinic.co.uk/
