+372 50 80 660 Õismäe tee 115A, Tallinn
Mon-Fri: 10-18 | Sat, Sun: closed
Haabersti Loomakliinik
+372 50 80 660 Õismäe tee 115A, Tallinn
Mon-Fri: 10-18 | Sat, Sun: closed
ENG

Visual diagnostics

+372 50 80 660 Õismäe tee 115A, Tallinn
Mon-Fri: 10-18 | Sat, Sun: closed
Haabersti Loomakliinik
Haabersti Loomakliinik

The first veterinary clinic in Estonia and CIS countries with Cat Friendly Clinic License

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Haabersti Loomakliinik
Doctor Olga Sjatkovskaja
Veterinarian
Haabersti Loomakliinik
Doctor Jevgenia Laksberg
Veterinarian
Haabersti Loomakliinik
Alexandra Goryljova
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Haabersti Loomakliinik
Aleksandra Kask
Veterinary аssistant

Visual diagnostics (X-ray and ultrasound) – what they give us and why it is sometimes important to do both check-ups.

As a rule, after checking the animal, depending on symptoms and age, we start the diagnosis with blood tests, but in many cases we need additional examinations to find the cause of the problem. Of course, each method has pros and cons, so always listen to what your doctor advises.

With the help of radiological examination we can detect :

pregnancy and number of fetuses 42 days after mating or pregnancy problems, etc
changes in trachea and lungs, organs size changes
radiocontrasting foreign bodies
radiocontrasting foreign bodies
contrast stones in the bladder, kidneys or urinary tract, internal neoplasms
contrast stones in the bladder, kidneys or urinary tract, internal neoplasms
changes in bone and joints

Ultrasound gives us more information about the condition of an organ, as we can “look inside the organ”, that means we can see the structure and the smallest changes of it. For example, when assessing the function of some organs, a blood test is not enough, because in the early stages the organ is able to compensate for the partial loss of function, and we see changes in the blood only when the work of the organ is impaired by 75%, as in kidney or liver failure. We can also identify: 

presence of non-contrasting foreign bodies or stones
presence of non-contrasting foreign bodies or stones
presence of non-contrasting foreign bodies or stones
pregnancy at an earlier stage or pathological changes in the uterus and ovaries
pregnancy at an earlier stage or pathological changes in the uterus and ovaries
accurately determine wall thickness of the gastrointestinal tract and the slightest change in the layers of the walls
accurately determine wall thickness of the gastrointestinal tract and the slightest change in the layers of the walls
We can assess the pancreas, adrenal glands,  structure of prostate gland
We can assess the pancreas, adrenal glands,  structure of prostate gland

Both methods complement each other. By talking with you and learning about symptoms, we can find the best diagnostic plan to make a diagnosis and prescribe the right treatment.

Frequently asked questions

At what age can a cat be spayed?

Cats (females) become sexually mature when they reach a body weight of 2 kg. That is, a cat that weighs 2 + kg, regardless of its age, is considered sexually mature. The cat's heat depends on the length of the day, the more light, the faster the cat comes to "hunt". The cat's hunting period is from spring to fall, when there is the most daylight. Cats that live indoors have daylight at all times, since there is electric lighting. Thus, cats that live with people who have more than 14 hours of daylight a day - can come to "hunt" all year round, regardless of the time of year.

NB! There are two terms: spaying and castration. Sterilization involves manipulation to prevent fertilization, such as ligation of the seminal cords in males or ligation of the fallopian tubes in females. In castration, the internal sexual organs are removed (testes in males, ovaries +/- uterus in females). These 2 terms are very often confused and misused. Most often, pet owners use the term "castration" for males and "spaying" for females.

We perform castration (i.e. removal of internal sexual organs of both male and female).

We also perform early castration (spaying) - from 2 months of age.

Answer: The operation can be performed when the cat weighs 2 kg (or more).

Do animals need to be given an internal parasite medication before vaccination?

Adult animals should be given an antiparasitic before the annual vaccination if the owner does not use preventive deworming - that is, if he does not use internal worming medication 2 times a year, at least.

If preventive deworming is carried out systematically - then, before the annual vaccination it is not necessary to give a medication for internal parasites. Be sure to use the treatment before the first vaccination for puppies and kittens - as they are most likely to have worms.

Preventive deworming is a one-time use of an antiparasitic agent.

In the presence of worms - a treatment regimen is necessary, which depends on the type of worms, age of the animal and risk group in which the animal lives (e.g. kennel, shelter, multi-cat house, overnight stay, street housing, etc.). In this case, you need to consult a veterinarian.

Cats that live exclusively at home, preventive treatment against internal parasites is also necessary.

Cats that live only in doors, preventive treatment against internal parasites is also necessary.

Kittens and puppies should be treated at least once a quarter during their first year of life.

Answer: puppies and kittens BEFORE the first vaccination is mandatory, treatment of adult dogs and cats is carried out regardless of vaccination.

Is it necessary to vaccinate domestic cat?

Cats that live only in doors should also be vaccinated - because owners can bring the infection from the street on their shoes. For example, feline plague (or feline panleukopenia) is still common and frequent.

The most important thing is to properly vaccinate a young animal (kittens and puppies) early in its life. Vaccination of a young animal is carried out in 2-3 stages. The last vaccination should be given at over 16 weeks of age.

Further vaccination regimens depend on the lifestyle and risk group of the animal. Vaccination of domestic cats can be carried out every 2-3 years.

Answer: yes, it is.

How to understand if a cat is sick?

Cats are very secretive animals and are very good at disguising ailments. Cats very rarely show signs of acute pain - cats don't cry or scream. The most common sign of malaise is a change in the cat's behavior and a change in its normal daily routine. A cat that is not feeling well - refuses to eat, is lethargic, does not respond to owners, refuses to play or make contact, lies in a forced posture, not relaxed, etc. No one can see the slightest change in the cat's behavior better than the owner himself.

Answer: as soon as you notice that something has changed in the cat's behavior and daily routine.