Thank you for submitting your kitten's Wellness Check-In form and congratulations on your decision to adopt a new family member. We are honored you chose our practice to help care for you newest family member. Our clinic has developed wellness programs for all your pets’ important life stages to help provide affordable preventive health care plans that provide the best protection for your pet. Clients using this program also receive many other “Premier Pet” advantages. All the advantages of our Premier Pet Program are outlined HERE.
The exam is the most important part of today's visit!
A thorough physical examination will be done today to help insure you have a healthy kitten. The exam is essential to identify any health or growth concerns you kitten may have, so that we can be sure to address any concerns before they become a problem.
Kitten's Vaccination Series.
A kitten's immunizations series should include Feline Panleukopenia, Rhinotracheitis, Calici Virus, Chlamydia, Feline Leukemia, & Rabies. A series of vaccinations is required to build the resistance to these viruses and bacteria. The kitten must be a minimum of 8 weeks of age before the series of immunizations is started. After vaccination today, the kitten maybe sore for the rest of the day and cry or whine some, this is normal and temporary. Be sure to keep you kitten in a warm room, offer food and water, and let it sleep. Do not give aspirin or Tylenol--they can be fatal in pets!
We will be Deworming your Kitten today.
Kittens are treated on the first few visits for "roundworms" and "hookworms." Puppies and kittens are often naturally at risk for acquiring these parasites while growing in the uterus, through the mother's milk, and through the feces of their litter mates. You may see "roundworms" pass in the stool for a day or so after deworming. Hookworms are too small to be seen with the naked eye, although they are the most serious "worm" in pups. Your kitten should not vomit or develop diarrhea from the medications--let us know if this should occur. TAPEWORMS require a special type medication. Watch the kitten's stools for small, white segments, looking similar to rice. Notify the clinic if these segments are observed so the kitten can be dewormed for tapeworms.
Learn more about Hook Worms Here.
Learn more about Round Worms Here.
Learn More about Tape Worms Here.
A complete three visit series is needed to full protect your kitten.
Kittens are not fully protected against to these viruses until at least 2 weeks after the last injection in the series. The kitten may get sick with these diseases anytime before the entire vaccination series is finished. Do not expose your new pet to other cats any more than is absolute necessary until we finish the immunization series. Another cat may not be showing any signs of illness, but may still be a "carrier" of many infectious diseases harmful to your new kitten. It is also wise to avoid taking your kitten to, boarding kennels, pet day care, or roam outdoors until they a a few weeks past their final booster vaccination.
After exposure to a disease, it takes time for the puppy to show clinical signs of illness. Therefore it is impossible to be absolutely sure that your kitten is healthy and free of contagious disease FOR AT LEAST 2 WEEKS after you obtain the kitten. Please call us if any abnormal changes are seen--such as vomiting, diarrhea, listlessness, or loss of appetite.
See the full Kitten Series Plan Here.
Its time to start planing for your pet's spay or neuter procedure.
Female cats should be spayed at 3 - 6 months of age. It is much easier on the dog when spayed before she goes through the first "heat" cycle, and provides many health benefits. Male cats should be neutered at 3-6 months of age.
Learn more about our Low Cost Spay and Neuter Program Here.
Kitten Care Tips
A cat cannot (and should not) be compared with any other domestic pet, because of its many unique qualities. Cats combine a strong sense of independence with a deep affection for its owner. It is self-reliant, but can be trained in obedience and tricks. It is easy to housebreak, adapts well to apartment living, does not require you to walk or exercise it, and naturally keeps itself clean and neat.
Heartworm and Flea Control
We highly recommend the use of Revolution Plus® on a monthly basis to control fleas, and other internal and external parasite in your cat. Talk to us before using any other insecticide. Avoid all over-the-counter products; they have been linked to serous life threatening conditions in cats. Cats are very sensitive to most insecticides. Confining the cat TOTALLY INDOORS is the best solution, but preventives are still needed. Fleas may give the cat tapeworms as well as other blood borne disease.
Hairballs
Long-haired cats may need CAT-LAX or other hair ball laxative twice a week to prevent hairballs. Brushing daily is the most important hairball prevention.
Laser Declawing
Though it can be done at any age, between 3-4 months of age cats tend to do very well after surgery. Front feet ONLY are usually declawed so your cat can still climb trees and fight, but if needed all four paws can be done. Despite the propaganda against declawing it can be done safely and with good pain management. In the event you fell your cat needs a declaw to make them a suitable pet for your household we have highly experienced veterinarians that can provide a safe, and effective procedure.
For more information visit our website at www.premiervetcare.info
Litter Box Training
Usually not a problem -- done by instinct. Keep litter box clean! Odor neutralizers or baking soda will decrease litter box odor. Change at least twice a week. Remove feces and/or scoop DAILY. Plastic garbage bags can be used for litter box liners. Premium diets will decrease stool volume and odor tremendously. Avoid placing the litter box around noisy appliances, or in high traffic areas of the home. This could discourage the cat form using the litter box properly.
To help avoid behavior and house soiling issues in multiple cat households, it is highly recommended to have 1 litter box per cat in the household in different areas of the home.
Nutrition
- Feed only HIGH QUALITY FOOD.
- Feed DRY FOOD at no more than amounts recommended on the label. You can teach your cat to be meal feed. By meal feeding you will help reduce obesity for indoor cats.
- Fresh water should be available at all times. Change the water daily. Pet water fountains that filter and recalculate the water are a great option for cats.
- Do not feed milk, cats do not have the proper enzymes to break down milk and it can cause diarrhea. Lactose free milk and Cat Milk can be given.
- Don't use cheap or generic foods. Cheap cat food brands have in the past be linked to urinary disease in cats. Don't use dog food. The protein amount is NOT high enough, and lacks special enzymes and amino acids needed for cats.
Miscellaneous Considerations
NEVER give a cat over the counter pain medications such as: acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin. Always call us before giving any medication that was not prescribed to your pet. Many medications for people are toxic to cats.
A plastic carrying crate is good investment for cat trips and also as a bed at home. It will give the kitten a private place and offers security. It can be placed a couple of inches off the floor.
Signs of illness
Diarrhea, refusal to eat, vomiting, gagging, coughing, sneezing, sluggish, watery eyes, and any other abnormality. If your notice any of these signs please contact as soon as possible, it could mean a serous illness.
Keep Them Indoors!
The single best way to keep your cat healthy and happy is to keep them indoors. Cats that are allowed to roam outdoors face many deadly challenges that indoor cats do not. But cats need to be challenged and stimulated. With out proper stimulus indoor cats can become stressed exhibiting many behavior and health problems. Often simple changes to your home can provide the additional enrichment that cats need to stay healthy and happy.
Check out this great resource on providing your cat a great indoor environment. CLICK HERE.