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A NEW KITTEN!!
As you welcome the new addition to your family, here are some health tips we feel are helpful. ENJOY!!
EXAMINATIONS:
Monthly, from about two to five months of age, your kitten will come in for a physical examination. The kitten’s weight, body and coat condition will be monitored; the eyes, ears, teeth and gums, heart, lungs, and abdomen will be examined. If your kitten is judged to be in good health, a vaccination booster will be administered if needed. In addition to maintaining your kitten’s well-being, we are also happy to demonstrate nail trimming, ear cleaning, and dental care. We can also address issues such as pet insurance options, nutrition, and training, as well as answer any specific questions you may have.
VACCINATIONS: Pet Vet follows the American Association of Feline Practitioners’ 2006 Feline
Vaccine Guidelines:
1. Core Vaccines – Recommended for All Kittens/Cats:
A. Feline Distemper (DRC): Start at 6 to 8 weeks of age. Booster every 3 to 4 weeks until 4 months of
age or older. Every kitten should have a minimum of 2 vaccines. Booster 1 year later and then every 3 years.
D = Distemper ( Panleukopenia Virus) – A highly contagious viral disease, often fatal. May cause vomiting and diarrhea, bone marrow suppression, and respiratory or neurological signs.
R = Rhinotracheitis (Herpes Virus) – A viral infection of the respiratory system which causes sneezing, runny eyes and nasal discharge.
C = Calicivirus – A viral infection of the respiratory system which can also cause ulcers in the eyes and mouth.
B. Rabies: Administered at 4 months of age or older. Booster 1 year later and yearly thereafter. A virus which attacks the central nervous system and is fatal. This virus can be transmitted from species to species, including people. Some counties require this vaccination for cats.
2. Non Core Vaccines – Recommended for At Risk Kittens/Cats:
A. Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV): Highly recommended for ALL kittens. A viral infection which causes a variety of symptoms – fever, swollen lymph nodes, bone marrow issues, blood cell abnormalities, some forms of cancer and immune suppression which leads to increased risk of infections .It can be fatal. Start at 3 months of age. Booster in 3 to 4 weeks. Booster yearly if at risk. At risk cats live or are allowed outdoors, have a housemate positive for the virus or live in a house where many cats come and go.
B. Feline Immune Deficiency Virus (FIV): A viral infection which causes fever, lethargy, diarrhea and immune suppression which can be fatal.. At risk cats live or are allowed outdoors, have a housemate positive for the virus or live in a house where many cats come and go.
C. Bordetella Bronchiseptica: A bacterial infection causing upper respiratory signs. Cats at risk are those in shelters, breeding operations or boarding facilities with confirmed infections.
D. Chlamydophila felis ( Chlamydia): A bacterial infection resulting in upper respiratory symptoms and severe eye infections. It is transmissible to people. At risk cats live with a housemate with confirmed infection.
3. Not Generally Recommended:
A. Feline Infectious Peritonitis
B. Giardia
INTESTINAL PARASITES: Pet Vet follows the Companion Animal Parasite Council’s recommendations:
At one of your earliest kitten visits a fecal or stool sample should be examined for parasite ova (eggs), this test should be repeated another 1 to 3 times in the first year. All kittens should be dewormed every other week between 3 and 9 weeks of age. At 10 weeks they should start monthly preventative or be dewormed monthly until
6 months of age. Adult cats should have fecals checked 1 to 4 times a year depending on whether they are on monthly preventative. Many intestinal worms, such as roundworm, hookworm, whipworm and especially tapeworm, are common in kittens and can be transmitted to other pets and people.
BLOOD TESTING:
A. Feline Leukemia Virus and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus: These two viral infections can cause a wide range of health problems and can be fatal. Both infections can be transmitted to young kittens and may not cause any signs for years. Both viruses can be detected by a blood test. All kittens, 8 weeks of age or older should be tested. If the kitten is younger than 4 months of age the test should be repeated.
B. Heartworm: A blood parasite spread by mosquito bites. Infection is rarer in cats than in dogs and may clear on its own. Due to the cat’s smaller heart size, even a single adult heartworm can cause respiratory signs, and in some cases sudden death without any warning signs. Blood testing should be conducted periodically. Heartworm preventative is available and recommended for all cats, especially for those at risk. At risk cats live or are allowed outdoors or have a housemate positive for heartworm.
FLEAS:
Fleas can be spread from pet to pet and from people carrying them on shoes or clothing to the pet. Several types of flea preventatives are available, and can be discussed during one of your kitten’s visits.
NUTRITION:
Kittens should be fed a high quality kitten food. The amount per feeding and number of daily feedings will be discussed and tailored to your kitten’s growing needs at each visit. Avoid using plastic bowls as these may lead to chin acne later in life.
DENTAL CARE:
The enamel of your pet’s teeth is much more porous than a human’s. An application of fluoride to young adult teeth (which erupt about 4 to 5 months of age) can help minimize plaque buildup and tooth loss later in life. Brushing your kitten’s teeth regularly will also help. We can help you pick the best application method and paste, and show you how to brush your kitten’s teeth.
MICROCHIP:
A microchip is a way to permanently identify your kitten. About the size of a grain of rice, it is injected under the skin between the shoulder blades. If your pet is lost and taken to an animal shelter or veterinary clinic, he would be scanned. The microchip scanner would show a unique ID number which can be traced back to you. This increases the odds of your kitten being returned to you.
PET INSURANCE:
Insurance is becoming more common, more reasonably priced, and offering more options. We can provide more information at one of your visits. We strongly recommend insurance to help for any unforeseen catastrophies.
NEUTER AND DECLAW SURGERY:
We recommend spaying or castrating your kitten between the ages of 4 to 6 months. This will help prevent some medical conditions that can arise later in life. Such conditions include false pregnancies, uterine infections and mammary gland cancer in females. In males there can be testosterone-responsive cancers. The surgery may also alleviate or prevent behavioral problems such as urine spraying. Most importantly, it will keep your kitten from becoming part of the pet overpopulation problem.
Declawing can be performed at the same time as your kitten’s neuter. Usually this procedure is performed on the front feet only. Your kitten will need to use a special litter for 1 to 2 weeks after this surgery.
EMERGENCY CARE: After hours emergencies are referred to:
ANIMAL EMERGENCY OF
McHENRY COUNTY DUNDEE ANIMAL HOSPITAL
1095 Pingree Road 199 Penny Ave. (Route 68)
Crystal Lake, IL 60014 (815)479-9119 Dundee, IL 60118 (847)428-6114
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