Answer: Often the history of event combined with a clinical examination
of the cat are sufficient for you diagnose what is wrong and recommend
a course of treatment. However, this information may be inadequate
for a prices diagnosis to be made so the vet may advise that one or
more diagnostic tests should be performed. This may involve collecting
samples of blood, urine or motions for laboratory examination. In fact,
you might be asked to collect some urine or motion samples yourself
and to deliver them to the vet’s premises. Sometimes other types of the
sample may be collected for laboratory tests, such as bacterial swabs or
fluid from the abdomen Radiographic examination may be recommended
and occasionally the performance of an electrocardiograph (E.C.G.)or
electroencephalograph (E.E.G.)which record the electrical signals coming
from the heart and brain respectively . At times, investigatory surgery may
be advised and usually this take from an exploratory a biopsy.
Some of these procedures must always be performed under a general
anesthetic to avoid pain or prevent the risk of damage arising from
sudden movement (e.g. collection of cerebrospinal fluid) at other times
anesthesia is useful to keep the animals still or simply because the
animal’s temperament make it difficult to handle otherwise. If there is a
possibly that anesthesia might be required, it is important for the cat not to
have been fed for at least eight hours beforehand this can also help with
blood tests which are best performed on ’fasted’ animals.
It is important for the owner’s family to have discussed the situation and to
have decided whether to consent to anesthesia and/or surgery. Whoever
presents the animal should have the authority to make decision about what
is to happen next: whether the animal should be investigated further (if
necessary under general anesthesia), whether it should be hospitalized for
test and observation, or whether surgery can be undertaken immediately
to treat the condition. Most veterinary surgeons will be pleased to explain
precisely what the problems are, what possible conditions the test may
have to confirm or eliminate, and the purpose of any treatment. It is helpful
if this is matched by a clear decision on the owner’s part as to what should
happen to his pet.
