Our kitten Wellness Consultations offer your new kitten all the benefits of veterinary services available to him/her from 6 weeks of age to several months of age. In partnership with you, we want to get your new addition started on the right path to a healthy and long life.
The first few months are a critical period in your kitten’s development, and we can give you the support and tools necessary to help him or her grow into a well-mannered, healthy cat, including information and advice on nutrition, litterbox training, and behavior.Included in this service is a series of examinations to ensure that your kitten is developing well and not hindered by any health complications. Additionally, a series of vaccinations will be given, including panleukopenia (distemper), rhinotracheitis, leukemia, and Rabies. Schedule your kitten for his or her first exam as soon as possible. Until your kitten has received a series of vaccines, he or she is susceptible to many serious but preventable diseases. We will make sure your new kitty is protected.
In addition, your kitten will be tested for worms (fecal testing) and be treated for a variety of common intestinal worms, including roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms. Often these parasites can cause your kitten to vomit and/or experience diarrhea; however, it is possible for your kitten to have worms and not show any signs of harboring them. Most kittens do have roundworms, which specifically can cause coughing, weight loss, and a potbellied appearance in cats, although these symptoms may not always be present. It is important for kittens to be treated for parasites, not only to help rid them of the infection but also to prevent you and the rest of your family from becoming infected. Roundworms, in particular, are a zoonotic parasite, which means they can be transmitted from pets to people. By ensuring that your kitten is properly treated, you can keep your entire family safe. A microscopic fecal examination will allow us to evaluate their presence and both topical and oral treatments are effective in eradicating them.
Our staff will also recommend viral testing for your kitten to determine whether or not they are affected by feline leukemia and/or feline immunodeficiency virus. Viral testing is a blood work test that is performed in clinic and it can rule out whether your kitten is affected by either of these diseases.
When your kitten is approximately 5-6 months of age it is time to have them spayed or neutered. Spaying (Ovariohysterectomy) involves the surgical removal of the uterus and the ovaries of a female cat. Not only does this prevent unplanned litters, but studies have shown that spaying our little girls at an early age significantly reduces their risk of developing breast cancer and/or uterine infection (pyometra). This surgery can be done any time after five months. Neutering (Orchiectomy) involves the surgical removal of both testicles in the male cat. Neutering our boys prevents urine marking of territory (spraying). It has also been demonstrated that neutering reduces the likelihood of fighting with other cats that can lead to the spread of deadly viruses, such as feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus, and can result in wounds/abscesses. This surgery can also occur any time after 5 months, so long as both testicles have descended. These comprehensive surgeries are performed here at our clinic and can be scheduled by our staff. We would be happy to discuss the surgery in more detail with you.
We look forward to meeting your new kitten! Please contact our clinic to schedule your kitten’s Wellness Consultation!