Caring for Your Knew Kitten

Here at Westside Hospital for Cats, we emphasize a complete preventive health care program to enhance the quality and length of your cat's life.  We have designed this pamphlet to guide you along the path to good health care throughout kittenhood and young adult life; if you have older cats (greater than 7 years of age), please ask for our Senior Cat Care Guide.  We are happy to answer any questions you may have about your cat, so please do not hesitate to ask.

Regular Physical Examinations

Even though your cat may seem healthy to you, an annual physical examination allows your veterinarian to detect many diseases before they become significant problems.  During a physical examination, your cat's eyes, ears, nose and throat will be examined.  Careful evaluation of the teeth and gums helps us diagnose one of the most common disorders we see - dental and periodontal disease - early.  Auscultation of the chest (listening with a stethoscope) allows veterinarians to detect heart and lung problems before they become severe.  Palpation of the abdomen (belly)  provides information about the internal organs (intestines, liver, kidneys, bladder) and can allow early detection of tumors.

The coat and skin are examined for fleas and other external parasites, for cysts and tumors, and as an indication of overall health.  Finally, accurate measurements of body weight helps us evaluate your cat's general condition and manage the most common nutritional problem in cats: obesity.

The examination also gives you the opportunity to speak with your veterinarian about any concerns you may have.  A convenient time for regular physical examination of the healthy cat is during administration of yearly vaccinations.  An ill cat should, of course, be evaluated as soon as any problem is noted.

Neutering Your Cat

Birth control is the only solution to the overwhelming problem of homeless pets who are euthanized.  In addition, neutering helps prevent breast cancer, uterine diseases, and the development of undesirable behaviors such as spraying, roaming, and fighting.  Neutering is a surgical procedure which is performed under anesthesia.  Your female cat should be spayed (have her ovaries and uterus removed) between 12 and 16 weeks.  Your male cat should be neutered (have the testes removed) between the ages of 12 and 16 weeks.

Vaccinations

Vaccinations stimulate your cat's immune system for protection against several potentially lethal infectious diseases.  The number of vaccines your kitten receives depends on the vaccination status of  its mother (usually unknown), the kitten's age at the first visit, and any history of potential exposure to sick cats.  A minimum series of two vaccinations is required to stimulate long-lasting immunity.  Maternal antibodies (proteins produced by the immune system which are programmed to fight various diseases) can block the young kitten's immune system from producing its own antibodies, so that several vaccinations may be required, with the last vaccine given at 16 weeks of age.  Young kittens should not be exposed to other cats until the vaccination series is complete.  Yearly boosters are then recommended.  Because the individual cat's immune system must play a role in responding to the vaccination, sick cats will not be vaccinated.  Also, please remember than no vaccine is 100% effective.  Therefore, even if your cat is vaccinated, it is best to keep him or her away from ill cats.

FVRCP     This vaccination should be given at 8, 12, and 16 weeks of age, then annually.  Adult cats with unknown vaccination history should receive 2 vaccines 3-4 weeks apart - one annual booster, then a booster every 3 years.

FeLV        This vaccination should be given twice, 2-3 weeks apart, the first time after 9 weeks of age, and then annually.

Rabies      The first vaccine is given after 16 weeks of age.  The second vaccine is given one year later, and after that every three years.

FIP           This vaccine is administered into the nasal passages beginning after 10 weeks of age; two vaccines are given, 3-4 weeks apart and then an annual booster for cats at risk.

In Sickness and In Health

We thank you for choosing Westside Hospital for Cats.  While we emphasize strong preventive care, we are also here to provide advice and treatment for your cat if he or she ever becomes ill or injured.  Certain signs of illness, such as poor appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drinking or urinating, persistent sneezing, or lameness may be obvious.  But in cats subtle behavior changes, such as lethargy or hiding, may be indicate illness.  If you are unsure if your cat needs veterinary attention, please call for advice.  We are happy to answer any questions you may have.