How Often Do You Take A Kitten To The Vet
Thereâs nothing like a brand-new baby kitty! Kittens, like infants, have some special health considerations to take care of during their first weeks of life. But how often should your kitten go to the vet? Cats are considered kittens from birth to 1 year of age and should visit the vet every three to four weeks during those early months.
“During these visits, a series of vaccinations are administered. Routine stool checks are also advised to check for the presence of parasites, which are common during this life stage and dewormers administered thereafter,â explains Dr. Maureen Murithi DVM.
Itâs also important for the kitten to visit their vet at this time to get a full examination that may include things like measuring temperature, heart rate, and how the kitten’s breathing sounds. But thatâs not all: “Mucous membranes are also checked in case of anemia/jaundice. Abdominal palpation helps to check for pain, bowel movements, bladder infections, organ enlargement as well as any signs of congenital anomalies,” adds Dr. Murithi.
Help Make Future Vet Visits Easier
It can be a struggle to bring your cat to the veterinarian. Many cats will run and hide at the very sight of their carrier! While your cat may never learn to enjoy going to the veterinarian, routine visits can help familiarize them with the process. At the very least, they may get used to the idea and become less resistant to it over time.
Why Its Important To Take Your Cat To The Vet
Regular veterinary care throughout your cats life is valuable for many reasons. Every veterinary visit will include a physical examination which can help your vet detect issues including skin conditions, dental disease, and even masses found in or on your cat. External parasites, such as fleas, ticks or ear mites can also be found and treated at vet visits.
And even if your cat remains an indoor companion, it is still important to keep them up to date on vaccines and annual wellness testing . Routine diagnostics like these will help your veterinarian catch any abnormalities readily and early so appropriate medications or treatments can be started. Regular vaccines will also keep your cat protected and immunized from life-threatening illnesses, like rabies. And dont forget about those monthly flea, tick, heartworm and parasite preventives!
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Financial Resources For Pet Parents In Need
Raising a cat is a beautiful thing. But just as raising biological children it can be expensive. Believe me, I know, I grew up with cats and have adopted and raised 4 of them from kittenhood all the way to adulthood.
As life changes, sometimes pet parents may find themselves in situations where money is tight. We pet parents understand very well that some medical procedures can be both life threatening and/or really expensive. You should try not let this get in the way of providing the best healthcare you can for your furry children.
Fortunately, there are a number of organizations that provide financial resources for pet parents in need.
Frankies Friends: Non-profit foundation dedicated to finding cures and saving pets with cancer and other life-threatening conditions. This non-profit helps save pets lives by providing grants to assist with the cost of life-saving or life-enhancing emergency or specialty care for pets whose families cannot afford the full cost of treatment.
RedRover Relief: This organization provides financial assistance grants and additional resources so pet parents, and rescuers can care for animals who need urgent veterinary care. RedRover also offers financial assistance for victims of domestic violence and their pets.
Alternatively, if you do not qualify for any of the grants above, there are a number of veterinary financing options available. Simply run an internet search and you will find plenty of convenient options.
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How Often Should You Take Your Cat To The Vet Throughout Their Life
Did you know that over sixty percent of US families own at least one pet at home? More surprisingly, there were approximately 373 million cats kept as pets all over the world in 2018.
Nowadays, people regard pets as friends and members of their family as they are beside each other most of the time, especially during this pandemic. While dogs are the most popular pets around the globe, cats are also favored in many places.
However, as a cat lover, are you aware of how occasionally your cats need to go to the vet? Well, it is advisory that you take a cat to the vet regularly, about once or twice a year.
Moreover, it depends on the life stage of your cat, or their age, to determine how often should you take your cat to the vet. Hence, in this article, Ill provide you with a general guideline on making medical appointments for your cats:
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How To Prepare For Your Pets Wellness Exam
Being prepared will make your pets wellness exam go more smoothly, be less stressful, and even save you money. Here are some steps to take to prepare:
If your pet has received veterinary care elsewhere, bring their health records with you or have them forwarded to your current clinic. This will help prevent unnecessary duplication of diagnostic tests or preventive care.
Take pictures or make a list of all the medications, supplements, and foods you give your pet.
If possible, bring a fresh stool sample from your pet with you, but dont worry if thats not possible. Your veterinarian will probably be able to collect a sample from your pet if necessary.
Write down any questions you have about your pets wellness care. Your veterinarian will be happy to talk anything over, but you have to ask!
Vet Visits For Senior Cats
Elderly cats are already in their twilight years. They are no longer as active and strong as they used to. The many years of abuse and wear and tear on their bodies can now manifest as health problems. Many senior cats present with chronic kidney diseases, heart disease, arthritis, dental disease, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and cancer. This is true for cats that seldom visit the vet during their adult years.
These conditions take time to develop. Arthritis, for instance, doesnt occur overnight. It takes many years of joint disuse before the disease becomes so severe that it impairs mobility. The same is true with other diseases in senior cats. Many of these diseases start when cats are still adults.
Senior cats need to visit the vet at least every 6 months. You may think they no longer need it because they already have medical problems. This is not true. They will still need veterinary care in terms of preventing the complications associated with these diseases. Veterinary visits can also help monitor the progression of these diseases so that more appropriate treatments can be initiated.
Kitties that are older than 10 years old should visit the vet once every 3 months. This is more the case for cats that are already in their 15th year of life. Not only are diseases more common, geriatric cats are also more prone to injuries. This is because of the effects of aging on their body.
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How Often Do Cats Get Shots
Different life stages will require different levels of veterinary care. Kittens will see the vet more often, as vaccine boosters are required quite frequently until sufficient immunity is achieved. Beginning at 6 to 8 weeks of age, a kitten will receive their first vaccine. This is a combination vaccine often referred to as a feline distemper vaccine. It will need to be boostered three to four weeks later, then three to four weeks after that, for a total of three vaccines. Once the final round is given, these vaccines are good for one years time. Kittens will also receive their first rabies vaccine between 13 and 16 weeks of age.
If your kitten is going to spend any amount of time outdoors, it may be recommended by your veterinarian that they also receive the feline leukemia vaccine. Feline leukemia is spread from cat to cat via bodily fluids, so it is possible for an outside cat to encounter another cat carrying the disease at some point.
After your kitten gets all of its shots, they will be spayed or neutered . Vet visits during this time will also include fecal tests to check for intestinal parasites and a monthly flea, tick and parasite preventive should begin to be given. Once your cat is spayed or neutered and has all of its shots, they should be all set with veterinary visits until their annual cat checkup.
How Often Should You Take Geriatric Cats To The Vet
If your kitty reaches the ripe old age of 15, theyve graduated to geriatric status you officially have a little old lady or little old man in the family. A 15-year-old kitty is about 76 in human years, so as you may imagine their aging body isnt going to function as well as it once did.
If your kitty has been diagnosed with any of the common aging cat diseases, you may start to add specialist vet visits in addition to your regular twice yearly vet appointments.
Some kitties with chronic pain might benefit from acupuncture sessions, a cat with heart disease may need disease management from a veterinary cardiologist, and in the heart-breaking case of cancer, a veterinary oncologist.
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How Heavy Should My Cat Be
Hammond, who serves as a relief veterinarian at All Creatures Veterinary Clinic in Charleston, South Carolina, says healthy kittens should gain one pound per month of life for the first seven to eight months of their lives.
Most adult cats should weigh between 8-12 pounds depending on their stature and breed, according to Hammond, though some breeds like Maine Coon’s can weigh twice this amount.
How Often Should You Take Your Indoor Cat To The Vet
Like any other pet, cats need to visit their veterinarians on a regular basis. This is to help ascertain that it is at the peak of its health. Regular veterinary visits can also help manage risk factors that can contribute to diseases in cats. In general, however, cat parents have to look at regular vet visits as a chance to ensure that their kitty is in tiptop shape. This can also help validate pet parents belief that they are taking good care of their respective cats. One question remains, however. How often should pet parents bring their indoor cat to the vet?
There are no straightforward answers as to the frequency of vet visits for cats. Everything depends on some factors such as age, preexisting medical condition, and others.
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Transporting Your Cat To The Clinic
Make sure you use a good cat carrier:
- Never travel with the cat loose in the car always use a robust carrier.
- Choose carefully cardboard, for example, is no match for a determined cat!
- The carrier should be easy to clean .
- The carrier should not be so large that the cat can fall about in it.
- A carrier that opens at the top is much easier to use as the cat can be gently lifted in or out.
- Cover the carrier with a cloth or towel during the journey to keep the cat calm.
- Secure the carrier in the car in a footwell or on a seat so it cannot move.
- Place the carrier on a towel/padding to keep it level in the car and to absorb any accidents.
- Drive carefully and gently to avoid the cat being thrown around.
- Stay calm so the cat doesnt pick up stress from you. Be reassuring and avoid loud noises.
- On arrival at the clinic, avoid rushing. Keep your cat in the carrier and hold it carefully avoid swinging the carrier or banging it against objects or your legs.
Make sure there are familiar smells for the cat use some or all of these tips:
Is It A Problem If My Cat Is Getting Hairballs
An occasional hairball is not a cause for concern and is fairly common in cats with longer coats, answers Hammond. It is not common and acceptable, however, for your cat to cough up hairballs daily.”
Hammond says more than one hairball per week is a cause for concern. If your cats hairball production worries you, its never a bad idea to check with your veterinarian about your cats health.
To avoid excessive hairballs, Hammond recommends brushing your cat more frequently and supplementing their diet with products that reduce hairball formation while supporting digestive function and bowel health.
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Regular Vet Visit Schedule For Junior And Adult Cats
Once the cat reaches six months old, you shouldnt need to make as many regular visits to the vet. Every six months is around right this means you can keep up with any further vaccinations, have a weight check and keep on top of dental health. The vet will also look at preventing disease from any parasites and monitoring any behavioral issues, as well as ensuring they are enjoying healthy nutrition this is a good time to discuss the cat food youre feeding your animal and whether you need to tweak their diet.
After the cat turns 2 years old, its considered a full adult cat by a veterinarian and regular visits can be scaled down to once a year. During these visits the vet is again simply checking the cats health, and as it gets older theyll look at how to reduce the risk or, or manage, age-related diseases and health problems.
How Often Should You Get Your Cat Checked At The Vet
Dr. Randy Wheeler, executive director of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, claims there isnt a rule for how often your cat should see the vet. Your vet checkup schedule depends on your cats age and any underlying health issues. Well break things down into an easy-to-follow timeline so youll never again feel unsure of how often you should take your feline fur baby to the vet.
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How Often Should Your Pet Visit A Vet
Although it might seem counter-intuitive to visit your vet when your pet appears to be perfectly healthy, visiting your vet is not just something you need to do when your pet is sick.
Your pet needs regular check-ups to stay healthy but exactly how often they need to see a vet will mostly depend on their stage of life.
Just like we need more medical attention at the start and at the end of our lives, your pet will need more vet visits in the first year of their life and then again as they enter their senior years.
How Often Should You Take Your Cat To The Vet
It goes without saying that all cats need regular checkups in order to remain healthy. However, some people are confused as to how often they should take their cat to the vet. A lot of people assume that cats do not require nearly as much veterinary treatment as dogs. They think cats are self-sufficient enough to take care of themselves and do not need you to take them in for a checkup unless they are exhibiting clear signs of sickness. In reality, you should take your cat to the vet much more frequently than that.
Baby Kittens
If you are the proud owner of a new baby cat or kittens, make sure to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. This initial appointment will give you a chance to discuss future care plans with a qualified veterinarian. If your cat is four months old or less the vet may recommend monthly visits until they are about five months old.
Adult Cats
You should take your adult cat in for a checkup at least twice per year, or every six months. Checkups will usually consist of dental cleanings, inspections, and vaccinations. Even if your cat is an indoor cat, they will still require distemper and rabies vaccines. These shots are usually good for up to 3 years or so, but dont sweat it if you lose tracka good veterinarian can always test their immunity levels to ensure they receive optimal treatment.
Elderly Cats
Preparing For Changes
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How Often Does My Cat Need To Go To The Vet
In general, it is a good idea to visit the veterinarian with your cat twice a year. Don’t forget, our cats age more quickly than we do, so a lot of changes can occur in that time period.
References
- Burns, K. . Vital Statistics. Retrieved from AVMA: www.avma.org/News/JAVMANews/ Pages/130201a.aspx
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Keeping Your Cat Healthy
The best way to make sure your kitty has a long and healthy life is to prevent serious illnesses or catch them early when they are more easily treated. This is the most basic answer to when to take a cat to the vet.
Taking your cat to the vet regularly allows your veterinarian to monitor your kittys overall health, look for early signs of disease, and make recommendations for the best preventive care products for your feline friend.
Our veterinarians at Animal General understand that the cost of routine checkups and preventive care can be prohibitively expensive, especially if your feline companion appears to be in perfect health.
Taking a proactive, preventive approach to your cat or kittens health, on the other hand, may save you money on more expensive treatments in the future.
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