A guide for cat owners in Floresville, La Vernia, Stockdale and surrounding areas
If you are a cat owner in or around Floresville, Texas, you have probably wondered, “Does my cat really need to go to the vet every year?” or “My cat lives indoors, do they still need vaccines?”
At Deason Animal Hospital in Floresville, our veterinarians care for cats from La Vernia, Stockdale, Poth, Sutherland Springs, Adkins, Elmendorf, Poteet and all over Wilson County. We see how much of a difference regular checkups make in catching problems early and keeping cats healthy for years.
This guide walks through how often your cat should see the vet at each life stage and what to expect at those visits.
Do indoor cats really need a vet visit?
Short answer: yes.
Even if your cat never steps outside, they can still develop dental disease, kidney problems, diabetes, thyroid disease, arthritis and other issues that have nothing to do with going outdoors. Many of these start quietly and are easy to miss at home until they are advanced.
Indoor cats also still need legally required rabies vaccination and, in many cases, other core vaccines. A quick annual exam at Deason Animal Hospital helps us check your cat from nose to tail and talk through diet, weight and behavior so we can catch small changes early.
How often should a kitten go to the vet?
Kittens need a series of visits to build a strong foundation for life.
Typical kitten schedule:
First visit around 6 to 8 weeks of age
Follow up visits about every 3 to 4 weeks until around 16 weeks of age
Spay or neuter surgery, usually between 4 and 6 months, depending on size and health
A checkup again at about 1 year old
At each kitten visit at Deason Animal Hospital in Floresville, we will:
Do a complete physical exam
Give age appropriate vaccinations
Check and treat for intestinal parasites and fleas or ticks
Talk about litter box training, nutrition and behavior
Plan for spay or neuter at the right age
Families bring kittens to us from Floresville, La Vernia, Poth, Stockdale, Sutherland Springs, Karnes City and Kenedy for this early care.
How often should an adult cat see the vet?
Once your cat is done with kitten shots and is generally healthy, a yearly wellness visit is a good rule of thumb.
At a yearly exam for an adult cat, our team at Deason Animal Hospital will:
Perform a full physical exam
Update needed vaccines based on lifestyle (indoor only, indoor and outdoor, boarding, travel and so on)
Discuss diet, weight and body condition
Check teeth and gums for signs of dental disease
Talk about flea, tick and heartworm prevention
Address any behavior changes or concerns
We routinely see adult cats from Floresville, La Vernia, Adkins, Elmendorf, Falls City, Poteet and other nearby towns for these wellness visits.
For some cats with chronic conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease or hyperthyroidism, we may recommend checkups every 6 months or more often to keep them stable.
How often should a senior cat see the vet?
Cats are considered “senior” roughly around ages 7 to 10 and older. At this stage, we start to see more age related changes, and regular monitoring becomes even more important.
For most senior cats, the veterinarians at Deason Animal Hospital in Floresville recommend:
Wellness exams every 6 months
Periodic bloodwork and urine testing to look for kidney disease, thyroid problems, diabetes and other silent issues
Regular blood pressure checks and weight checks
Closer monitoring of arthritis, mobility, appetite and behavior
We care for many senior cats from Stockdale, La Vernia, Poth, Sutherland Springs, Pleasanton and the greater Wilson County area, and early testing allows us to start treatment before your cat feels very sick.
Signs your cat should see a vet sooner
Even if your cat is not due for a regular wellness exam, certain changes mean they should be seen quickly. Call a vet if you notice:
Not eating or drinking normally
Vomiting or diarrhea that lasts more than a day
Straining in the litter box, especially if little or no urine is coming out
Sudden weight loss or weight gain
Breathing faster than usual or open mouth breathing
Hiding more, acting painful or not wanting to be touched
Sudden changes in behavior or activity level
If you live in Floresville, La Vernia, Adkins, Stockdale, Poth, Elmendorf, Poteet or nearby South Texas communities and are unsure whether your cat needs to be seen right away, the team at Deason Animal Hospital can help you decide what is best.
What happens during a cat wellness exam?
Many cat owners expect only vaccines, but a good cat exam is much more.
At a typical visit at Deason Animal Hospital, we will:
Review history
Ask about eating, drinking, litter box habits, behavior, environment and any new concerns.Physical exam
Check eyes, ears, mouth, heart, lungs, skin, coat, abdomen, joints and more.Weight and body condition
Look for early weight gain or loss, which can signal many diseases.Dental evaluation
Check for tartar, gingivitis, loose teeth and mouth pain.Vaccines and parasite prevention
Recommend only the vaccines and preventives your cat truly needs based on lifestyle.Testing when needed
Discuss bloodwork, urine tests or imaging, especially for middle aged and senior cats.
Our goal is to make the visit as low stress as possible for both you and your cat, whether you are coming from downtown Floresville or driving in from La Vernia, Sutherland Springs or Karnes City.
How to make vet visits easier for your cat
Many cat owners put off appointments because their cat hates the carrier or the car. These simple tips can help:
Keep the carrier out at home so it feels familiar, not scary
Place soft bedding and treats in the carrier
Cover the carrier with a light towel during travel to reduce stress
Bring a small blanket or item that smells like home
Ask us about calming supplements or medications for highly anxious cats
At Deason Animal Hospital, we understand that cats can be sensitive to noise and handling, and we work to keep visits as calm and gentle as possible.
When should I schedule my cat’s next vet visit?
If you are in or around Floresville, La Vernia, Stockdale, Poth, Sutherland Springs, Adkins, Elmendorf, Poteet or anywhere in Wilson County and the surrounding area, we are happy to help you plan your cat’s care.
You should schedule a visit if:
Your kitten has not started or finished its vaccine series
Your adult cat has not seen a vet in more than a year
Your senior cat has not had a checkup in the last 6 months
You notice any changes in appetite, litter box habits, weight, breathing or behavior
Ready to get your cat on a healthy schedule?
Regular wellness care is one of the most powerful gifts you can give your cat.
If you live in Floresville or the surrounding communities of La Vernia, Stockdale, Poth, Sutherland Springs, Adkins, Elmendorf, Poteet, Karnes City, Kenedy and throughout Wilson County, the veterinarians at Deason Animal Hospital are here to help keep your cat healthy at every life stage.
Call 830 393 4567 or use the contact form on our website to schedule your cat’s next visit.
