Meet Nixon. She is an 11 years old long-haired tortoiseshell cat, affectionally known for her grumpy personality.
Nixon has always been a bit uptight. Her owners can’t help but wonder if she disapproves of her masculine-sounding name resulting in an anti-social attitude, or if she was just born like this – but either way, they love her.
Recently, Nixon had taken her antics to a new level, lashing out more than usual and refusing to groom her fluffy coat. Fortunately, she was due for a vet visit, so along with her health check, vaccinations and dental, a sedated groom was booked too – she does not like to be handled, so this would be much easier while under anaesthetic.
Nixon visited Anexa Vets Morrinsville and was seen by Georgie, the vet. After her consult and a chat with her owners, the vet nurses took a blood sample and admitted her for her dental and grooming.
Whenever pets undergo an anaesthetic, it is always a good idea to take pre-anaesthetic blood tests to check the pet’s current state of health. Information gathered ensures the pet can properly process and eliminate an anaesthetic. Testing also checks that the pet’s organs are functioning properly and looks for indicators of hidden health conditions that could put the pet at risk while under anaesthetic.
Nixon’s results surprised everyone – they showed her kidney was under pressure, and she was pre-diabetic and needed a treatment plan to ensure her health did not deteriorate.
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects millions of pets worldwide, and early detection is crucial for maintaining their health and well-being. Pets with diabetes have high blood sugar levels, which can lead to a range of complications, such as urinary tract infections, nerve damage, and even death. Fortunately, with early detection and proper management, many pets with diabetes can continue to enjoy their usual activities and lead healthy lives.
Armed with the information from the pre-anesthetic bloods, Nixon’s sedation, groom and dental could still go ahead with a few extra precautions taken to reduce risk. However, the surprises did not stop there… Due to her independent nature, Nixon isn’t that keen on people getting too close. While at home, she is happy to hang out in the same room as her humans; she does not believe there is any need to sit on their laps or let them get too close. With her distaste for being handled, it wasn’t until Nixon was sedated Georgie (the vet) had the opportunity to have a good look at her teeth. On inspection, it was clear that a dental x-ray was called for. X-ray images showed eight teeth would need to be removed.
Dental x-rays provide vital information that is not available through visual inspection alone. X-rays allow the internal anatomy of the teeth, roots and the bone that surrounds the roots to be examined.
Nixon was in good hands. Georgie and the team had her groom complete and mouth in a healthier state in no time. With her new short coat, a fresh mouth and her blood sugar under control, Nixon was feeling better and ready to go home. She was discharged with pain relief and a new prescription diet to help get her diabetes under control.
Nixon recovering at the clinic after her groom and dental.
Nixon’s story is a good reminder of just how skilled our pets are at hiding pain and discomfort. When our pet’s health slowly deteriorates and changes in behaviour happen gradually, it can sometimes be hard to recognise signs that something might be wrong. Regular preventative care health checks provide a good opportunity to identify and treat any issues early, saving time and money in the long run.
Although Nixon’s visit to the vet was full of surprises, her owners are very thankful that Nixon’s diabetic diagnosis was caught at a very early stage. Nixon is back to her delightfully grumpy self, providing company, not cuddles. Her diabetes is being managed with regular check-ups and a change in diet to a prescription kibble specifically designed to treat diabetes in cats – a convenient solution that suits this cantankerous cat, and her owners purrfectly.
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