The veterinarians in our team are very experienced in handling and treating cats. We know that your feline has its own will and cannot be treated with force. As cat veterinarians, we therefore adapt to the individual needs of our cat patients and treat them with great patience and empathy so your visit will be as relaxed as possible for you and your cat.
Please let us know when scheduling an appointment if your cat is particularly anxious. Our consultation hour allows us to take the necessary time to make the visit as calm as possible for you and your cat. We will do our best to schedule your appointment in such a way as to ensure that there are as few other animals in the practice as possible.
Our practice is equipped with all the technology necessary to make a diagnosis and initiate the necessary treatment without delay. Our ability to take X-rays and perform ultrasound examinations is instrumental in this regard.
Our laboratory equipment is capable of recording extensive diagnostic parameters within minutes. This can have life-saving consequences in emergencies. In our in-house laboratory we can perform blood glucose tests and immediate checks of the most important organ parameters. In addition, we offer urine tests and stool examinations, parasitological tests, and certain dermatological examinations.
Cats suffer from individual problems depending on their age. We are happy to provide advice in any situation! Below, you will find some examples of special and general needs and diseases in cats:
Vaccinations and treatments for parasites are important in kittens from the outset. During the initial examination the kitten should be checked thoroughly for congenital diseases (for example, congenital heart disease, respiratory problems because of an excessively short nose, umbilical hernia, and malocclusions).
Every cat owner should consider whether or not to neuter their pet. Neutering may be necessary for practical reasons related to the management and care of your pet as well as health reasons.
Even at this age, regular preventive measures against endoparasites is necessary – especially in outdoor cats.
A proper diet is particularly important for young cats. Adequate feeding prevents diseases in the future.
Even in young adult animals, diseases of the urinary tract (e.g., bladder infections) can be very common. It is important to pay close attention to urination and fluid intake to ensure early detection of infections and/or crystal formation through targeted urine and blood tests, if necessary.
Food intolerances, allergies, infectious diseases, and also injuries in particular commonly affect all cats.
Fights with other cats may cause abscesses – outdoor cats are particularly frequently affected.
Often, heart and kidney diseases manifest in young adult cats; hyperthyroidism is less frequent. These diseases become more common with increasing age, among other things.
Regular blood tests allow us to identify signs of wear on the organs: blood sugar measurements and/or measurements of hepatic and renal parameters can be used for the early detection of diseases such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, and others.
Senior cats often suffer from tartar, gingivitis, or other diseases affecting the teeth, gums and the oral cavity such as neck lesions (cracks in the neck of the tooth). Therefore, the oral cavity should be examined on a regular basis, and dental work performed, if necessary.
These are just some of the reasons that demonstrate the importance of regular health checks in the form of annual examinations (clinical examinations), which we offer routinely with any vaccination at no extra cost.
To ensure the timely detection of diseases (prevention), please monitor the fluid intake, urine output, and defecation, feeding behavior and weight of your cat and inform us of your observations during each visit.
Our services for cats essentially comprise the following:
Have you purchased a kitten? Or is this your first cat? We are happy to provide detailed advice on vaccinations, regular deworming / parasite prevention, changes in dentition, neutering, microchipping, EU pet passports, and nutrition. This always includes a general examination of your new four-legged friend.
The first visit with a kitten is a very special occasion for which we reserve plenty of time. A detailed consultation and thorough exam for congenital or acquired diseases are particularly important. Please schedule an appointment as early as possible to ensure that we have enough time for the examination and consultation.
For cats, we recommend good basic immunization, i.e. vaccinations at the age of 8, 12, and 16 weeks as well as a booster one year later and every year thereafter. This offers your cat the best protection against various diseases.
The first vaccination is usually administered will your cat is still a kitten. All vaccinations will be entered into your pet's vaccination record, so you always know when the next vaccination is due. In addition, we will send you a timely reminder.
The annual vaccination provides an opportunity to check the health of the patient during the thorough examination carried out in advance. We work with state-of-the-art vaccines. The vaccination schedule is based on the recommendations of the International Medical Council on Vaccination and is customized to meet the needs of each patient.
For indoor cats, immunization against cat flu and feline distemper is sufficient. These diseases can be carried into an apartment on various objects, for example the sole of a shoe. For outdoor cats, we also recommend vaccination against rabies and feline leukemia. Breeding and show cats often require additional vaccinations.
For indoor cats, we recommend the following vaccination schedule:
| Age | Vaccination |
|---|---|
| 8 weeks old | Cat flu and feline distemper |
| 12 weeks old | Cat flu, feline distemper, and rabies (rabies only as needed in the event of travel abroad, exhibitions, etc.) |
| 16 weeks old | Cat flu, feline distemper, and rabies (rabies only as needed in the event of travel abroad, exhibitions, etc.) |
| 16 months old | Cat flu, feline distemper, and rabies (rabies only as needed in the event of travel abroad, exhibitions, etc.) |
In the following years, the Feline Respiratory Disease vaccine should be repeated every year; Panleukopenia every 12-24 months depending on manufacturer. Rabies every 12-36 months, depending on manufacturer.
For outdoor cats, we recommend the following vaccination schedule:
| Age | Vaccination |
|---|---|
| 8 weeks old | Cat flu and feline distemper |
| 12 weeks old | Cat flu, feline distemper, and rabies |
| 16 weeks old | Cat flu, feline distemper, and rabies |
| 20 weeks old | Feline leukemia, primary vaccination with prior FeLV antigen test |
| 24 weeks old | Feline leukemia |
| 16 months old | Cat flu, feline distemper, and rabies |
In the following years, the Feline Respiratory Disease and FeLV vaccines should be repeated every year; Panleukopenia every 12-24 months depending on manufacturer. Rabies every 12-36 months, depending on manufacturer.
We would be happy to advise you and assist you in developing a customized vaccination schedule for your cat. Additional information can be found in the Leitlinie zur Impfung von Kleintieren (guidelines for the vaccination of small animals) published by the Ständige Impfkommission Vet. (StIKo Vet.; Standing Veterinary Vaccination Committee).
Parasites represent a threat to the health of your cat. They can transfer pathogens or cause illnesses directly. Regular and effective parasite control is therefore very important. Unfortunately, medications used to treat worms have no preventive effect. Deworming treatments should be administered regularly as a result.
Typical external parasites include fleas, ticks, lice, and mites. There are specific drugs (e.g., spot-on treatments and pills) that prevent flea and tick infestations. To prevent the spread of mites and lice, cushions, blankets, brushes, and collars should be cleaned regularly. If the animal is already infested with mites, lice, or fleas, bath or spot-on treatments are usually used.
Tapeworms, hookworms, lungworms, whipworms, and roundworms are among the common internal parasites that can affect your pet. Some of the parasites that our animals carry in their gastrointestinal tracts can also be transmitted to humans (zoonosis). This often happens as a result of very close contact with the animal; children are particularly susceptible to such infections. We therefore recommend regular deworming treatments (at least 4 times per year) or regular stool examinations for your pet, since, deworming treatments unfortunately have no preventive effect.
The measures necessary for endoparasite prevention depend on the age of the animal and on its living conditions and lifestyle. Thus, the younger the cat and the more contact it has with members of the same species, the more frequently it should be treated for endoparasites, as the common drugs have no or hardly any preventive effect.
This results in the following treatment regime for cats starting from kitten age:
| Age | Treatment |
|---|---|
| from 2 weeks | 14-day treatment with appropriate drugs (to interrupt the development cycle, for example of roundworms, which are frequently encountered) |
| from 12 weeks | monthly treatment with appropriate drugs (your kitten ingests large quantities of worm eggs) |
| from 6 months | quarterly preventive treatment with appropriate drugs; alternatively quarterly stool examination (and possible treatment as a result) |
This treatment regime is suitable for completely healthy animals. In cases where the animal is suffering from diarrhea or other gastrointestinal complaints, we recommend an immediate stool examination and appropriate adjustment of the treatment regime.
An individual adjustment of the regime may be required depending on the cat's lifestyle (i.e. whether it is an indoor or outdoor cat). Please note that parasites such as giardia and coccidia are not covered by "regular" deworming treatments. We offer the appropriate diagnostics for these parasites and would be happy to advise you in a personal conversation.
Many people still believe that female cats are sterilized and male cats are neutered. That is not correct: both sexes are usually neutered (spayed). Neutering is the surgical removal of the testes or ovaries. Sterilization, however, merely entails the transection of the fallopian tubes or spermatic ducts, which has no influence on the sexual behavior of an animal.
Spaying of female cats
Although reproductive control is paramount in cats, it is not the only reason for neutering.
Neutered cats roam less and therefore are less prone to accidents. In addition, many infectious diseases in cats are transmitted through bites.
One particularity of the sexual cycle of cats is what is known as "provoked ovulation," i.e. ovulation occurs during copulation. If no copulation occurs, the next heat cycle will start after 1-3 weeks. This is referred to as "continuous heat." This condition is very stressful for cats (and their owners) and increases the risk of uterine infection. In addition, the hormonal imbalance may lead to anemia. Therefore, even indoor cats, which are not in contact with male cats, should be neutered.
Hormonal suppression of the heat cycle has a significant impact on the health of the animal. We therefore strongly advise against it.
Neutering of male cats
The average life expectancy of neutered male cats is significantly higher than that of non-neutered males. They roam less and therefore have fewer accidents. Castrated males also fight much less, thereby considerably reducing the risk of injury and infection with diseases such as feline leukemia, FIV, or FIP.
Sexually mature male cats also mark their territory (and unfortunately this often includes the apartment of their owner) with very foul-smelling urine. This behavior is also prevented by neutering.
The diet of your cat should be balanced and appropriate to his or her needs. Your pet's food should be adapted to his or her phase of life, breed, and possible illnesses. In the case of certain diseases, such as food allergy, food intolerance, formation of crystals in the urine, diabetes, or renal failure, we will perform detailed exams in advance in order to identify certain special foods that can be used selectively. Many diseases can be slowed down through an appropriate diet if they are detected early. Our veterinarians and veterinary assistants are trained in this area. Whether your pet requires a normal diet, special diet, or home-cooked food: we are happy to support and advise you!
Examples of high-quality foods:
Ration calculation (also suitable for BARF diet):
The microchip (also known as a transponder) is an electronic means of animal identification. The chip is implanted under the skin on the left side of the neck. Implantation is simple and quick, with no need for anesthesia. The transponder number stored on the chip (every identifier in the world is unique) consists of 15 digits and can be read by all standard readers.
If you are taking your pet on cross-border travel within the EU, you will need what is known as an EU pet passport (the "blue passport"). This is an official document. Your pet must be microchipped before this passport can be issued. Your cat's rabies vaccinations must also be up to date (protection is only considered effective 30 days after the shot and lasts for 12-36 months depending on the brand; the vaccination cannot be given before your pet is 12 weeks of age).
Different regulations apply outside of the EU (this includes entry into an EU country from a non-EU country). We will gladly provide information about the current regulations in place in your destination country.
We want your cat to be able to enjoy a long and above all healthy and pain-free life! Since our pets are usually fed very high-quality food nowadays and medical care has improved considerably overall, as it has for humans, animals are living to an older age on average. Unfortunately, this also means that with increasing age they develop a higher risk of certain diseases and functional limitations. Recognized early, many of these signs of aging and diseases can be treated effectively or at least slowed down. It is therefore of the utmost importance that the state of the cat's health is checked regularly from the age of about 8-10 years.
Typical diseases that cause our cats problems with increasing age include urinary tract disorders (kidney, bladder), cardiovascular diseases, arthroses and movement disorders, impaired organ function especially of the liver and gall bladder, dental problems, hormonal problems: including diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and increased cancer risk.
Most incipient complaints are not necessarily immediately obvious from external appearances. Heart or kidney diseases, for example, may exist for a long time before you as the owner notice that your pet is sick. Geriatric screening, however, can detect such diseases at a much earlier stage, allowing for timely and targeted treatment. The goal of such treatment is to allow the animal to enjoy a good quality of life for as long as possible.
Geriatric screening includes a general clinical examination, during which the eyes, ears, oral cavity, heart, lungs, skin, and coat are examined. In addition, there is the option to draw a blood sample, which allows the functionality of the major organs to be assessed. The liver and kidney values are checked, as are blood sugar levels and thyroid function. In addition, an ultrasound of the abdomen and an X-ray of the chest can help to detect tumors early and thus better treat them.
What can you do?
Please schedule an appointment if you would like a geriatric screening for your cat. Please note that your dog should fast for approx. 10 hours before the blood test. Appointments can be scheduled for as late as 6 pm.
In our well-equipped in-house lab, we can check all the important parameters necessary for the examination of your cat. We are able to carry out blood tests, urine tests, stool examinations, parasitological tests, and certain dermatological examinations, respond immediately to your cat's disease pattern, and initiate the necessary treatment.
X-ray diagnosis is another important tool available in our clinic for examining your cat. By analyzing the X-ray images, we can detect musculoskeletal disorders (for example, broken bones (fractures)), joint wear (arthroses and spondyloses), periosteal inflammation (osteomyelities) and other changes. X-ray diagnostics are also suitable for imaging of soft tissue, thus facilitating the detection of tumors and foreign objects as well as the identification of cardiac disorders.
Ultrasonography of the abdominal cavity (abdomen) for the detection of changes in organs, especially changes in bladder and kidneys, as well as detection of tumors is another important element of our diagnostic approach.
A cardiologist and ultrasound specialist visits our practice regularly for specialized ultrasound examinations – particularly for heart ultrasound (echocardiography).
We have a well-equipped dental clinic for necessary dental treatments. The standard services we offer include the extraction of retained deciduous teeth in kittens, removing tartar from the teeth by means of thorough polishing, and the extraction of diseased teeth. Treatment is urgently needed also in case of painful "neck lesions" (cracks in the neck of the tooth).
We adapt the necessary sedation to the needs and health of the patient to ensure maximum safety.
Our operating room is equipped with an inhalation anesthesia device and anesthetic monitoring devices, allowing our experienced soft tissue surgeons to limit anesthesia-related risks to a minimum so that operations can be carried out safely, not only on young but also on adult and senior cats (e.g., neutering, tumor surgery, treatment of (bite) injuries).
We also offer acupuncture and physiotherapy, among other services, for older cats and other patients suffering from acute pain.
Excerpts from the current travel regulations for cats can be found here.
