Sunday, March 24, 2024
HomeExclusiveWhen To Bring A Kitten To The Vet

When To Bring A Kitten To The Vet

What Is The Most Important Thing To Know About Raising A Healthy Kitten

Worried Mother Cat Brings Her Sick Kitten To Hospital And Medics Rush To Help Them

Cats and kittens are amazing animals. They learn to be self-sufficient fairly quickly. A couple of things to know Know what substrate they like to urinate on and get that litter box. Make sure you know what vaccines and what type of lifestyle you’re going to have them lead … Are they going to be indoor? Are they going to be outdoors? Make sure you check them regularly for parasites, knowing where they came from. Were they from an outside stray kitty? Did they come from an indoor kitty who you knew from someone?

Have a healthy environment. They’re going to need a lot of exercise. If you have other pets or other cats or dogs, there are some things to take into consideration before bringing a kitten into the house. Kittens will be playful and naughty, just like any other babies. Don’t think, “I’m going to get a kitten and cuddle it all day long and they’re going to be great.” Yes, they’re great, but they do take some work.

What To Consider Before You Go

To prepare for the appointment, keep an eye on your kittens eating, drinking, and toileting habits so that you can make a note of any concerns. You should also find out when or if your kitten has had vaccinations, worm, and flea treatment, and whether they had any health issues in their previous home.

It’s worth making a list of any questions about your kitten’s health or caring for them in general. You can find out more about caring for your new kitten in our vet’s article.

What Do I Need To Know About Kitten Behavior

There’s a wide range of kitten behavior because all cats are different. I’ve had many cats over my lifetime, and they all have unique personalities. It’s hard to give a short answer to this question. I will tell you that it is important that you do understand kitten behavior. There’s so much information online, and we would direct you to the best place to go to get some good answers.

If you still have other questions and you’d like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at , you can email us, or you can reach out on Facebook. But please do reach out, and we’ll get back to you as fast as we can.

Also Check: Little Alchemy Cheats Wild Animal

When Should My Kitten Get Vaccinations

We’re going to want to start vaccines as soon as you get your kitten, probably somewhere around eight weeks. And we’ll put them on a series of vaccines. Core vaccines are the ones that all cats should get. And then there are some other vaccines outside of that. But generally, the core vaccines such as FVRCP, leukemia, and rabies, are an excellent place to start.

Tips To Make You And Your Kitty More Comfortable

National Bring Your Cat to the Vet Day (August 22 ...

Does your cat hide deep under the bed when its time to go to the vet? Are you simply looking for ways to be proactive and help your kitty relax?

Weve got you covered.

Cats like familiar places.

When you take your cat to an unfamiliar place with new noises and sounds , we know it can create some anxiety.

We asked our cat veterinarians to share tips to make it easier to get your cat to the vet.

Lets find some ways to bring that stress down a notch or two.

Also Check: Cat Age Vs Human Years

Preparing For Your Kitten’s First Vet Visit

ByDr. Hannah Godfrey BVetMed MRCVSpublished 6 April 22

Its time for your kittens first vet visit! What do you need to know, and how can you prepare?

Bringing a new furry bundle of joy home to join your family is an exciting time, but what about your kitten’s first vet visit? Isn’t that a bit scary?

We’ve got information on everything you need to know to prepare for the appointment, from arranging the perfect cat carrier in advance to create a stress-free environment, to vaccinations, health checks, and parasite treatments. So, when your veterinarian is doing their examination, you’ll know exactly what they’re looking for.

You can also write down any concerns you have in advance so that you dont forget when youre put on the spot! Rest assured, there’s nothing for you or your new kitty to be afraid of.

What Are Veterinary Care Exams

Many inexperienced pet owners think that the only time that they need to consider taking their kitten to the vet is if they suspect she is sick or injured. However, fixing up your cat is just one of the services that your veterinarian can provide. Youll be pleased to learn that your chosen professional can actually help prevent your pet from becoming sick in the first place. This is where veterinary care exams come in.

Veterinary care exams are regularly scheduled appointments that are performed in order to comprehensively assess the health and wellbeing of your furbaby. They usually include:

  • A physical, nose to tail examination of your kittens body
  • An assessment of her eyes, ears, mouth, and teeth
  • Check her temperature and weight
  • Listen to her heartbeat and chest to check her respiratory rate
  • Urinalysis and stool sample testing to check for illness/parasites
  • Blood tests
  • Any other tests your vet feels may be beneficial for your kitty
  • Advice on parasite prevention including administration of medication

Each appointment also involves a consultation period where your vet will ask questions about your kittens behavior, her diet, and how much exercise she gets. This is an ideal time for you to ask any questions that you have and raise any concerns.

Also Check: How Much Food To Feed A 4 Month Old Kitten

Why Do I Need To Take My Indoor Cat To The Vet

Written bySmall Door’s medical experts

Its a common misconception that indoor cats dont need to go to the vet. While its true that contagious feline illnesses are often contracted via contact with animals in the outside world, there are nonetheless many reasons that regular vet visits are important for indoor cats, from the administration of legally required vaccines to catching issues before they become serious.

In This Article

Signs Your Cat Needs To Go To The Veterinarian

10 Tips To Bring Your Cat To Vet

Regular check-ups are important for your cats health. These regular pet examinations keep your cat caught up on vaccinations and catch early signs of disease. There are times, however, that your cat may exhibit certain symptoms, and you arent sure whether they require a trip to the veterinarian or a wait and see attitude at home. While it is always a good idea to error on the side of caution and take your cat to the veterinarian if you are concerned, here are ten symptoms that should never be ignored.

  • Signs Of Obvious DistressCats are typically very stoic animals, so if your cat suddenly seems to be in distress, it is a cause for concern. Howling, crying, hiding, and otherwise acting in a way that is out of character for your pet should alert you that something may be seriously wrong.
  • Abnormal Litter Box BehaviorChanges in litter box habits, particularly in male cats, can indicate a serious health problem. Urinary obstruction is a condition that prevents the cat from passing urine and can be fatal without treatment. If your cat suddenly begins urinating outside the litter box, straining and crying while producing little urine, or begins grooming the genital area excessively, contact your veterinarian immediately.
  • Overwhelming FatigueMany cats are naturally low energy, but if your cat suddenly becomes entirely sedentary, does not work up enthusiasm for things she normally enjoys, and even goes off by herself to sleep in strange areas, something could be seriously wrong.
  • You May Like: Convert Cat Years To Human Years

    What Are Some Products I Might Need For My Kitten

    Products that you may need for your kitten when you bring kitten home: litter box, litter, scratching posts, and sometimes they like the cat towers that they can climb. A lot of kittens like a bed. Some don’t like a bed so much. I like the little feather toy with the bell, laser pointers, little balls that they can play withthings to keep them active.

    How Often Kittens Should See A Vet

    If your kitty is under a year old we recommend taking them to the vet once a month, with their first veterinary appointment taking place when they are approximately 8 weeks old.

    Throughout their first year, kitten’s require multiple rounds of vaccinations to help protect them from common infectious diseases. Kittens should get the Feline Leukemia vaccine and the FVRCP vaccine which helps protect your feline friend from 3 highly contagious and life-threatening feline diseases, Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis Feline Calicivirus , and Feline Panleukopenia .

    Your adorable little feline furball will be provided with these vaccines over the course of approximately 16 weeks and will go a long way in helping to keep them healthy their whole life.

    The exact timing of your kitten’s vaccinations will vary depending on your location and the overall health of your furry friend.

    Our vets recommend having your kitten spayed or neutered when they are between 5 – 6 months in order to prevent a host of diseases and undesirable behaviors as well as unwanted litters of kittens.

    Read Also: H.p. Lovecraft Cat

    Your Kitten First Appointment

    Have you welcomed a kitten in your family and wondering what to do for your first vet visit? Your new kitten should see a vet as soon as possible so their overall health can be checked & they can become accustomed to vet visits. Separate to milestone appointments, its a good idea to have a veterinary consult within 24 to 72 hours after adopting your new kitten.

    When To Take A Cat To The Vet Immediately

    National Bring Your Cat to the Vet Day (August 22 ...

    Preventative care is always preferable to reactive care, so the more wellness checkups your cat makes to the vet, the higher the likelihood of you picking up issues early on. One of the best approaches to stress-free preventive care is to check with a qualified online veterinarian.

    But if you spot any of these symptoms in your cat, don’t wait until your next checkup. The following are signs of potentially serious problems and require an urgent visit to the vet:

    • Changes in appetite
    • Changes in stool or urine
    • Avoiding contact with people

    Recommended Reading: What Is The Cats Name In Hocus Pocus

    How Often Should I Take My Cat To The Veterinarian

    Your cats age and overall health will help determine the answer to this question but weve listed some general guidelines below to follow.

    Kittens

    Kittens should be seen by their veterinarian once every 3-4 weeks for the first 16 weeks of life. At these visits, your kitten will get a series of vaccinations to help protect them against a number of infectious and life-threatening diseases. Your veterinarian will help you determine the best vaccine schedule and selection for your kitten based on their lifestyle.

    Stool samples will be checked at each visit to make sure your kitten is free of gastrointestinal parasites. So, dont forget to bring a quarter-sized fresh stool sample at each visit. Given the high prevalence of parasites in young kittens, we may empirically deworm them at least twice in a period of 2-3 weeks.

    We recommend Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus blood testing at 8 to 12 weeks of age or older. These are two life-threatening viruses that may be transmitted by blood or saliva to your kitten. This exposure and acquisition of either virus may occur prior, during and after birth.

    These initial examinations may seem a bit overwhelming , butthey set the stage for your cats long-term good health and well-being. In addition to the examinations and vaccines, routine veterinary visit help establish a bond between your cat and their veterinarian and will help to reduce fear, anxiety and stress during future veterinary visits.

    Adult Cats

    Senior Cats

    How Often Should Senior Cats See A Vet

    Cats are typically considered to be senior when they reach 11 years of age.

    Since many cat diseases and injuries tend to be more common in older pets we recommend bringing your senior companion to the vet every 6 months. Twice-yearly wellness check-ups for your geriatric cat will include all of the checks and advice listed above, but with a few additional diagnostic tests to obtain extra insights into your furry friend’s overall health.

    Some diagnostic tests we recommend for our senior patients include blood tests and urinalysis to check for early signs of problems such as kidney disease or diabetes.

    Geriatric care for cats also includes a more proactive approach to keeping your feline companion comfortable as age-related issues such as joint pain become more common. If you have a senior cat, ask your vet how often you should bring your pet in for a routine exam.

    Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet’s condition, please make an appointment with your vet.

    Recommended Reading: Calculate Cat Years To Human Years

    What Should I Ask My Veterinarian At My Kitten’s First Appointment

    If you have any specific questions, save them till the end, because they may answer them before you even get there. We like to spend at least a good 30 minutes with clients that have a new kitten and make sure that all their questions are answered, and that they have access to information that they’re going to need from home also.

    If Your Cat Has A Seizure

    Stray cat brings sick kittens to Turkish vets

    A seizure is described as shaking, tremors, or uncontrolled spasms. It can include paddling with their legs and sometimes loss of bowel or urinary control. While always scary to witness, a single seizure episode lasting less than two minutes is not necessarily an emergency. Staring into space or biting at the air can be a minor seizure-type activity that still warrants an exam, but its not an emergency.

    Signs that a cat’s seizure is cause for emergency care:

    • The seizure is lasting for more than 2 to 3 minutes
    • Multiple seizures happening in a 24-hour period
    • Your cat does not seem to come out of it and is not back to normal after the episode
    • Any seizure that is associated with a toxin ingestion

    If your cat is seizing and will not stop, you can try turning down the lights and placing them in a carrier on a towel. Do not put your hand in your cats mouth they will NOT swallow their tongue. Talk to them in a soothing voice and make sure they are not able to fall off anything, like a bed or couch.

    Also Check: How Many Cat Years In One Year

    Scheduling A Vet Visit After Adopting A Kitten

    What about the adopted kitten? Government-run shelters and non-profit humane societies will perform physical examinations and check for parasitic diseases prior to adoption. Many kittens have already been vaccinated and spayed or neutered prior to being adopted. So, you should receive some veterinary records with your new kitten.

    But its always a good idea to also make an appointment with your family veterinarian within a week of bringing your kitten home. Your veterinarian will want to become familiar with your new adoptee and review the records provided by the shelter and provide or schedule any needed additional care.

    Plus, your vet will be able to discuss with you important aspects of caring for your kitten, such as socialization, what the vaccines given at the shelter protect against and what tests the shelter may have conducted.

    Its very likely that you wont meet the veterinarian at the shelter during the adoption processso, you need to establish a relationship with a local vet right away.

    How To Prepare An Indoor Cat For A Vet Visit

    When preparing for a vet visit, its best to acclimatize your indoor cat to the cat carrier at least a few days in advance of your vet visit. Line it with blankets or a bed to make it comfortable and place treats or toys inside to make it more appealing to your cat. Give them treats, pets and praise when they explore the carrier, to help them associate it with positive experiences. Pheromone sprays may also help to keep your cat calm.

    It is important to keep your cat in the carrier at all times during transportation and while sitting in the waiting room. This will help prevent your cat from escaping or getting injured during the vet visit.

    You should also get your cat used to handling by touching, stroking and gently manipulating areas of their body such as their paws, ears, and mouth on a regular basis, so that they are not alarmed when the veterinarian examines them.

    Don’t Miss: How Do Cats Age Compared To Humans

    If Your Cat Has Ingested Poison Or Toxins

    This is a broad topic, and while some toxins may cause minor digestive upset, others can be lethal if not treated immediately. Cats are especially sensitive to over-the-counter medications such as Advil® and Tylenol® and should NEVER be given these medications.

    If you know or see your cat ingest a toxin, you can call your vet, emergency clinic, or a pet poison control hotline and ask for their advice. They will let you know if the toxin ingested is something that needs urgent attention. There is a fee for the poison control hotline.

    If you have it, be sure to take the container the toxin was in with you when you go to the vet or ER. Or grab a photo of the ingredient label to show them. If you suspect toxin ingestion and your cat is vomiting, bring a sample of the vomit with you to help your vet identify the toxin.

    Do not EVER attempt to induce vomiting in a cat with hydrogen peroxide. Cats can aspirate easily , and this may cause more problems than the actual toxin.

    Most Common Cat Toxicities That Require Immediate Care

    RELATED ARTICLES

    Most Popular