GENERAL KITTEN CARE

Your new kitten will receive a physical exam making sure all systems are healthy/normal when you first visit the doctor. Each visit will include this complete assessment of eyes, ears, teeth/bite, skin, heart, lungs, conformation and reproductive tract.

Unless you are planning to breed your cat we recommend spaying and neutering by 6 months of age.

We discuss nutrition. Kittens must eat appropriate, good quality, easy to find kitten food.

We recommend Proplan food made by Purina. You need to provide an age and weight appropriate diet.

VACCINATIONS

FVRCP–This vaccine protects against the viral diseases panleukopenia, calici, rhinotracheitis, and chlamydia, which are very contagious. Several of these diseases can be transmitted through the air, so this vaccine is needed even for inside cats. Cats receive this vaccine in at least 2 doses and then follow an appropriate booster schedule.

Leukemia virus–This very common, fatal disease is transmitted by direct contact between cats. We recommend that all cats over 6 weeks old be tested for this and another insidious viral disease, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Leukemia vaccine is given in 2 doses. Annual boosters are crucial to maintain protection. If your cat never goes outside and has no exposure to other cats, you do not need to vaccinate for this disease. There is a vaccination available that protects your cat from FIV, it is given in a series of 3 injections. [A cat that has received this vaccine WILL test positive for this disease].

FIP – Feline infectious peritonitis is not a very common disease, but it is fatal. There is a vaccine available but we do not use it routinely.

Rabies – Rabies has been identified in Harnett County. Vaccination for rabies is required by law in all cats over 4 months old. It is a mistake to assume that if your pet is inside that it does not need protection. If you do not keep your cat up to date on this vaccine they may have to be euthanized or quarantined for 6 mos at your expense even if they accidently bite someone.

PARASITES

Intestinal worms–We test all cats on their first visit for parasites. Not all parasites are worms! Cats derive intestinal worms from their mothers, so we deworm cats initially for hookworms and roundworms at least two times. We should deworm other animals in the household on the same schedule! Some of these parasites can be contagious to humans, so let's check your new cat.

Fleas – Flea control is important for your cat ’s health. Fleas can cause serious blood loss and transmit tapeworms. Your efforts should focus on treating the fleas before they cause problems.

Heartworms – Although not a common or well publicized health risk, according to the latest research there is much concern about exposure to and maturation of heartworms in cats . A cat (and statistics are showing tht this percentage is at or below 10%) that is infected with heartworm larvae cannot be treated and could die suddenly. We have some very safe and effective products available to prevent this infection, and it is generally not necessary to test your cat in order to use them. We recommend Revolution as a flea control / heartworm prevention OR Heartgard if you do not need a flea control product.

Feel free to ask a doctor or staff member about any of our recommendations

It is impossible to include the answers to all your questions in a simple brochure. If a friend or relative gives you advice about any of these issues and it seems in conflict with our ideas, please allow us a chance to go into more detail about our experiences.