Treatment Type: Diagnostic Procedures
Rated for: Pixie-Bob
A comprehensive physical exam is a must before beginning any treatment for a "behavior problem." Any sudden changes in your cats behavior may indicate an underlying medical problem. Your veterinarian will do a complete physical exam to check for any obvious signs of pain or injury. Also, they will check a temperature to ensure there is no fever. Another important indicator is checking the weight of your pet. Unexplained weight loss or weight gain may indicate an underlying metabolic disorder. Based on their physical exam, the vet may recommend bloodwork as well to check the kidney, liver, and thyroid functions of your cat. They may also need this information before starting medication for your cat as a baseline, so that the values can be monitored if your pet is on behavior-altering medications long term.