Examination of the Thorax, Stomach and Extremities

Contusions are frequent on traffic accidents. The bites received in the fight with other cats, as well as other penetrating wounds that are not bleeding much but there are obvious remains of sticky or coagulated dry blood hidden between the trunk, legs or claws. An important swelling generally means that an abscess has been formed. If he has rests of oil car and tar, the animal probably has been struck by a vehicle. Take advantage of a moment in which your cat is relaxed and free of damages to practice with the hands a detailed physical recognition of the trunk and extremities, so that you familiarize with his normal condition.                 

1. Put your hands around him and hold him firmly from the loin, chest and groins, in search of excesses of heat, sticky zones or any sensitive point of contact.
2. Separate the hair to see if he has discolorations of the skin.
3. Slide your hand downwards through every leg. Examine separately the front extremities, and then join them to estimate any possible asymmetry.
4. Feel each of the joints and the paws to try to discover any swelling or heat excess.
5. Examine the paws and the nails in search of grazes, tears or other injuries and remains of rare materials.

It is very important to know well the urinary low tract of the cats. When they are in good health the felines are very timid concerning their hygienic habits. In case of any potentially mortal urinary disorder is being produced, the symptoms can be very subtle or enclosed to happen unnoticed. Frequently one confuses them with those of the constipation and one administers a domestic treatment with tragic results.

1. Clean often the hygienic container of your cat. Learn to distinguish the changes in the volume of the urine and in the frequency of the micturition.
2. If an alteration is produced in the urinary habits examine the urine using a piece of white fabric to verify any change of color. If it has a rosy dye, for tenuous that it is, go to the veterinarian within 24 hours.
3. Practice examining by tact your cat's abdomen, specially the area of the bladder. When you go to the annual doctor's appointment, ask the veterinarian how it is done so as to reassure your procedures. Once familiarized with its normal aspect, you will be in conditions to detect an obstruction of the bladder.