3072. An 8-year-old cat's annual health screening

Written by: Intern Ms Wong Shu Yu

Synopsis:

Tammi is an 8 year old local tabby cat who came to us for her annual checkup and vaccination. While there were no significant abnormalities detected upon physical examination, it was noted that Tammi (standing at 4.6kg) is fairly overweight for her size. This puts her at risk for fatty liver disease. An examination of Tammi’s mouth also revealed signs of gingivitis and an ulcer on the upper side of her gums.

The annual vaccine was given to Tammi and blood taken for purposes of testing for liver disease. Other procedures performed included dental scaling, ear cleaning and anal sac expression. Notably, the expression of Tammi’s anal sacs produced a black-coloured substance, which indicated that the glands have not been expressed for a prolonged period of time.

Tammi’s owner was advised to switch to a weight reduction cat food formula in order to bring down Tammi’s weight to a healthier range. The results of the anal sac expression were also shown to and its significance explained to the owner. Dr Sing highlighted that the anal sacs need to be expressed regularly in order to prevent inflammation and subsequent self-injury perpetrated by the animal on the affected area due to discomfort. 

Date:                 Sunday, 30 April 2017

Attending physician:     Dr Sing Kong Yuen

Particulars

Name:             Tammi

Age:                 8 years

Weight:             4.6kg

Gender:             Female

Species:             Feline

Breed:             Local tabby

Neutered/Spayed:         Spayed

History:

Patient is here for annual vaccination and check up

Adopted from local SPCA in October 2014

Last vaccination done in November 2016

Eating and drinking normally

Urine and stools are normal

Diet of Pronature Adult Indoor Cat Dry Food; no other food or treats given

Physical Examination:

Patient is quite overweight

Some tartar seen on teeth. One canine is longer than the other

Signs of gingivitis spotted on the gums.

Patient has an ulcer on the upper side of her gums.

No tumours detected.

Diagnosis:

Patient is overweight and therefore at risk for fatty liver disease.

Gingivitis

Procedures done:

Dental scaling: No loose teeth detected

Ear cleaning

Blood taken from jugular vein

Expression of anal sacs: black oil was expressed, indicating that the anal sacs had not been expressed for a long time.

Vaccine given.

Treatment Plan:

Explained to owner that patient is overweight and is at risk for liver disease. Advised that protein content of present diet is too high.

Explained significance of results of anal sac expression to owner. Advised that anal sacs should be expressed regularly to prevent inflammation

Recommended diet change to weight reduction formula

Drontal dewormer tablets prescribed

Blood taken will be sent to laboratory to test for liver disease

Exhibits:

                   

Fig 1: Top view of patient                Fig 2: Patient’s present diet