Optimum Plan for Cats

The Optimum Plan for Cats is designed for senior and geriatric cats. It offers a more thorough evaluation of your senior cat’s overall health than our other plans. We’ll detect early stages of common diseases in senior cats. Early detection allows for prompt treatment and better management of these conditions to keep your cat living a long, healthy life.

For adult cats that spend time outdoors with potential exposure to cats with life-threatening infectious diseases, check out the Outdoor Plan for Cats. For cats that spend their time exclusively indoors, check out the Essential Plan for Cats.

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The Optimum Plan for Cats covers your cat’s annual wellness needs with some amazing membership perks. Cats on a Plan receive medical exams at no cost and a 10% discount on most products and services outside of the Plan. Plans last a full year!

The 10% discount applies to Bravecto Plus when purchased in the clinic. Bravecto Plus prevents infestations from fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal parasites for 2 months.

It includes two semi-annual wellness exams, core vaccinations, and the Optimum Profile for Cats.

Membership Perks

Pets on a Plan receive $0 medical exams and a 10% discount on most products and services outside of the Plan. Check out the FAQ to learn how Plans can save you money!

Physical Examination

Your cat will be examined by our veterinarian from nose to tail for tumors and signs of pain or arthritis. We will assess her overall appearance. Your cat’s heart and lungs will be listened to for abnormalities. Her eyes, ears, nose, and mouth will be evaluated as well.

Consultation

You’ll discuss medical history, behavior changes, lifestyle, and nutrition with our veterinarian. You will have an opportunity to ask questions and address any of your concerns.

Vaccinations

Vaccinations preventing calicivirus, herpesvirus, panleukopenia, and rabies are included in the Optimum Plan for Cats.

If your cat spends time outside or otherwise has potential exposure to cats with life-threatening infectious diseases, a vaccine protecting against feline leukemia may be indicated. The feline leukemia vaccination is eligible for the 10% discount with the Optimum Plan for Cats.

Blood Pressure Evaluations

The Optimum Plan for Cats includes two blood pressure evaluations. Blood pressure evaluations can help identify the early signs of various health issues, including hypertension (high blood pressure), which can be an indicator of serious conditions such as kidney disease, heart disease, or diabetes. Early detection of such conditions can lead to early treatment and better outcomes.

Optimum Profile

The Optimum Plan for Cats includes the an Optimum Profile. This profile includes an intestinal parasites and optimum blood and urine screen.

If your cat spends time outside or otherwise has potential exposure to cats with life-threatening infectious diseases, screening for feline leukemia (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) may be indicated. FeLV/FIV screening is eligible for the 10% discount with the Optimum Plan for Cats and can be added to the Optimum Profile.

Intestinal Parasite Screen

An intestinal parasite screen is included in our Plans. Intestinal parasites are common in cats. They can cause a wide range of symptoms, including diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, and anemia. Some types of parasites, including roundworms and hookworms, can be transmitted from cats to humans. Routine testing and monthly treatment protects your cat, as well as you and your family!

Optimum Blood & Urine Screen

The optimum blood and urine screen is preventive testing that provides valuable information about your cat’s overall health and helps identify any underlying medical conditions. If the results are normal, the testing establishes a baseline of blood values while your cat is healthy. If completed on an annual basis, we can track results as your cat ages and spot potential health issues before they cause problems.

Complete Urinalysis

A complete urinalysis is an important diagnostic test that evaluates the physical and chemical properties of a cat’s urine. A urinalysis in cats typically includes three main parts:

• A physical examination involves assessing the color, clarity, and specific gravity of the urine, as well as the presence of blood, protein, glucose, or other substances that should not be present in normal urine.
• A chemical examination involves the use of reagent strips that can detect the presence of substances such as blood, protein, glucose, ketones, and bilirubin. The presence of these substances can indicate various conditions such as infections, kidney disease, liver disease, or diabetes.
• A microscopic examination involves examining the urine sediment under a microscope to identify the presence of red and white blood cells, bacteria, crystals, and other abnormal structures. This can provide valuable information about the urinary tract and help diagnose conditions such as urinary tract infections or bladder stones.

A urinalysis can help detect early signs of kidney disease, urinary tract infections, bladder stones, or other conditions that can affect the health and well-being of the cat.

Urine Protein Testing (if indicated)

If protein is detected in the urine, a Urine Protein/Creatinine (UPC) test will be performed. This test measures the amount of protein in urine and then compares it to the amount of creatinine, which is a waste product that is also present in urine.

A high UPC value is an indicator that there is proteinuria, which means an abnormal amount of protein in the urine. Proteinuria can be a sign of kidney disease, urinary tract infections, and other conditions that affect the kidneys.

Total T4 Thyroid Screen

Screening a total T4 (thyroxine) in cats is important because it can help diagnose hyperthyroidism, which is a common endocrine disorder in cats. Hyperthyroidism is caused by an overactive thyroid gland that produces too much T4, leading to symptoms such as weight loss, increased appetite, restlessness, and hyperactivity.

Complete Blood Count

A Complete Blood Count (CBC) screens for anemia, inflammation, infection, stress, Leukemia, bleeding problems, inability to fight infection, and hydration status.

Red blood cells (RBCs) are the most numerous and longest-living of the different types of blood cells. They typically make up almost half of the blood’s volume.

RBCs contain a special protein called hemoglobin (HGB) that binds to the oxygen in the lungs and enables the RBCs to transport oxygen as it travels through the rest of the body.

Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells that increase during times of increased red cell production, such as blood loss or immunemediated anemia.

White blood cells are primarily responsible for fighting infections. There are five different types of white blood cells and each one performs specific functions to keep the body healthy. Platelets play a critical role in preventing bleeding.

Optimum Blood Chemistry Panel

The following is a summary of the blood chemistry markers included in the screen:

• Total Protein is a measurement of all the proteins in the blood, including albumin and globulin. Abnormal total protein levels can be an indication of liver or kidney disease, malnutrition, or other health issues.
  
• Albumin is a type of protein that helps maintain fluid balance in the body. Low albumin levels may indicate liver or kidney disease, malnutrition, or other health issues.
• Globulin is a type of protein that helps fight infection and disease. Abnormal globulin levels can be an indication of inflammation, infection, or other health issues.
• An abnormal albumin/globulin ratio can be an indication of liver or kidney disease, infection, inflammation, or malnutrition.
• Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme produced in the liver, bones, and other tissues. Elevated ALP levels can be a sign of liver disease, bone disease, or other health problems.
• Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is an enzyme produced primarily in the liver. High ALT levels can indicate liver disease or damage.
• Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) is an enzyme that is produced in the liver, as well as in other organs such as the heart and skeletal muscle. Elevated AST levels can be an indication of liver damage or disease, such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, or liver cancer.
• Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) is an enzyme produced in the liver. Elevated GGT levels can indicate liver disease or damage.
• Bilirubin is a waste product that is eliminated by the liver. Abnormal bilirubin levels can be a sign of liver disease, anemia, or other health issues.
• Glucose is a type of sugar that provides energy to the body’s cells. Elevated glucose levels can be a sign of diabetes or other health issues.
• Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) is a waste product that is eliminated by the kidneys. Elevated SDMA levels can be an early indication of kidney disease.
• Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is a waste product of protein metabolism that is eliminated by the kidneys. Elevated BUN levels can be an indication of kidney disease or other health issues.
• Creatinine is a waste product of muscle metabolism that is eliminated by the kidneys. Elevated creatinine levels can be an indication of kidney disease or other health problems.
• An abnormal BUN/creatinine ratio may indicate kidney disease or other health issues.
• Cholesterol is a type of fat that is essential for many bodily functions. Elevated cholesterol levels can be a sign of underlying health issues, such as thyroid disease or diabetes.
• Phosphorus is an important mineral that plays a role in many bodily processes. Elevated phosphorus levels can be a sign of kidney disease or other health issues.
• Calcium is another important mineral that is essential for many bodily functions, including bone health. Abnormal calcium levels can be an indication of a wide range of health issues, including kidney disease, cancer, and thyroid disease.
• Sodium is an electrolyte that is essential for proper body function. Abnormal sodium levels can indicate dehydration, kidney disease, or other health issues.
• Potassium is another electrolyte that is important for proper body function. Low potassium levels can be an indication of kidney disease, Addison’s disease, or other health issues.
• An abnormal sodium/potassium ratio can be an indication of dehydration, kidney disease, or other health issues.
• Chloride is an electrolyte that is important for maintaining proper fluid balance in the body. Abnormal chloride levels can be a sign of kidney disease, dehydration, or other health issues.
• The anion gap is a measurement of the balance of electrolytes in the blood. An abnormal anion gap can be an indication of kidney disease, diabetes, or other health issues.
• Bicarbonate is a chemical that helps maintain the body’s pH balance. Abnormal bicarbonate levels can indicate kidney disease, metabolic acidosis, or other health issues.

Cardiopet proBNP

CardioPet proBNP is a blood test that measures the level of a hormone called NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide) in cats. This hormone is produced by the heart in response to changes in pressure and volume, and its measurement can provide important information about the heart’s function.

CardioPet proBNP can help detect heart disease in cats before the development of clinical signs. This is because the hormone NT-proBNP is released by the heart in response to stress, and increased levels of this hormone in the blood can indicate underlying heart disease.

Spec fPL

Spec fPL is a blood test that measures the level of pancreatic lipase, an enzyme produced by the pancreas, in cats. It can help detect pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas, in cats before the development of clinical signs. This is because pancreatic lipase is released by the pancreas during an episode of pancreatitis, and increased levels of this enzyme in the blood can indicate early stages of pancreatitis.

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