Kitten

Kitten Wellness                 

Congratulations on the new addition to your family!   Kittens are a lot of fun and tend to grow up too quickly.  Enjoy this stage while it lasts and be sure to take lots of pictures.  One way to strengthen the bond you have begun to develop with your new kitten is to ensure that we are able to provide the proper veterinary care they need at this crucial stage in their life.
       We recommend bringing your kitten in for their first veterinary visit when they are about 8 weeks old.  At that time we will start their vaccine series.  Kittens need vaccine boosters every 3-4 weeks until they are 16 weeks old.  When they are born, they have maternal antibodies to protect them.  As these antibodies wear off, we need to make sure each kitten is protected from disease by vaccinating them at the proper intervals.  It is also important to bring in a fresh stool sample to check for internal parasites.  We can give the proper dewormer if any are found.  Each kitten should be tested for the Feline Leukemia Virus and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus.  We take a small blood sample from your kitten and can tell you the results of the test within 15 minutes. At your first visit we will send you home with a dose of Revolution, a topical monthly heartworm and parasite control product.  The following topics are ones we will discuss with you at your monthly visits:

• Appropriate vaccines for your kitten
• Feline Leukemia Virus and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Testing
• Heartworm disease and prevention
• Internal Parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and more
• External Parasites such as fleas and ticks
• Spay or neuter
• Declawing
• Microchipping
• Nutrition
• Dental Care
  

Feline Leukemia Virus and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Testing
        Both of these viruses are prevalent in our area and it’s important we test each kitten to prevent the spread of these deadly diseases.   Testing is as simple as drawing a small blood sample from your cat and results are known within 15 minutes.  The Feline Leukemia Virus is similar to the AIDS virus in which it severely depresses the immune system so your cat can’t fight off diseases as easily.  There is no successful treatment but there is a vaccine against it.  The Feline Immunodeficiency Virus also depresses the immune system and causes many other symptoms.  Unfortunately there is neither a vaccine or a treatment for this virus.  Both are transferred through saliva from cat to cat, especially bite wounds.

Vaccinations
        We vaccinate all kittens for Rhinotracheitis, Calici, Chlamydia, Panleukopenia and Rabies.  Any kitten that will be going outside will be vaccinated for the Feline Leukemia Virus.  Rhinotracheitis Chlamydia, and Calici are upper respiratory diesases causing cold-like symptoms: sneezing, running eyes and nose, lethargy, and a lack of appetite. They are transferred through cat to cat contact, from indirect sources such as dishes or hands, or from airborne particles.  Panleukopenia (commonly referred to as distemper) is a virus transmitted through fecal-oral contamination.  Cats with this virus may have vomiting, diarrhea, fever, depression, and dehydration.  It is very fatal.  The Rabies Virus is a deadly neurological disease that can infect humans and therefore vaccination of dogs and cats is required by the government.  Rabies is transferred through saliva or ingestion of infected animals and causes death.

Heartworm Disease and Prevention
        Heartworm disease is transmitted through mosquitos.  Once a mosquito bites an infected cat, it ingests the heartworm larva called microfilaria.   These larvae mature for a couple months and then are passed on to another cat when the mosquito takes a meal.  Over the next 6 months the microfilaria migrate from the skin, through the tissues and then develop into adult worms in the heart and major arteries of the lungs.  Common symptoms of heartworm disease in cats are mainly respiratory signs: difficulty breathing, wheezing and coughing.  Most cats with heartworms die suddenly without warning.  There are tests available, but they are not dependable.  There is no treatment for heartworms in cats so it is especially important that we prevent it
        We recommend Revolution year-round in all cats, even those that stay indoors all the time.  Revolution is a topical product that is applied once a month and protects cats from heartworm, roundworms, hookworms, ear mites and fleas.  

Internal Parasites
        It is important to check your kitten for intestinal parasites.  We recommend you bring in a fresh stool sample (no more than 12 hours old) on your kitten’s first visit.  Our fecal flotation will test for a number of parasites including the following:

1. Roundworms - spaghetti-like worms that live in the small intestine and cause pot-belly appearance, diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss.  They are passed from mother to kitten during pregnancy or through nursing.  They can also be transferred from fecal-oral contamination.  Roundworms can be passed to humans, especially children.
2. Hookworms - worms that eat away at the lining of the small intestines causing bloody diarrhea and weight loss.  These are transmitted through fecal-oral contamination or from skin penetration.  Humans can also be infected causing skin lesions usually on feet.
3. Whipworms - long thin worms that live in the small intestines causing diarrhea, anemia and anorexia.  These eggs can live in your environment for years.
4. Coccidia - an intestinal parasite that usually is found in stressed or immuno-compromised cats, especially kittens. 

        Depending on which parasites we find in your pet’s stool sample, we will either give them a dewormer at their appointment and/or send home dewormer to be given at specified dates.  We always recommend rechecking a stool sample at the end of treatment to make sure the parasites are gone.

Flea and Tick Prevention
        Fleas are an external parasite that are one of the most common in cats.  They rapidly reproduce causing populations to invade your house in a matter of weeks.  Fleas can be very irritating to your kitten’s skin, but can also bite humans as well.  Prevention is the easiest way to control fleas.  Treatment is very expensive and takes months.  
         We recommend a couple products for flea prevention and treatment.  Frontline Plus topical treatment kills flea eggs, larva and adults as well as controlling ticks.  Revolution is a topical treatment that kills adult fleas and prevents flea eggs from hatching as well as protecting your cat from heartworms, roundworms, hookworms and ear mites.  Both products are given on a monthly basis.  
        Ticks are becoming more common in Michigan.  They are found in fields and wooded areas, especially where deer are prevalent.  Cats will pick them up if they walk by tick-infested foliage . The ticks then bite the skin and suck your cat’s blood until they are fully engorged.  Frontline is our recommendation of choice for those pet owner’s concerned about tick prevention for their cat.

Spay or Neuter
        We highly recommend getting your kitten spayed (female) or neutered (male) when they are between 4-6 months of age.  Spaying and neutering is recommended because it decreases the chance of many medical or behavioral problems in the future.  Neutered male cats are less likely to spray or mark their territory which can lead them to not use their litterbox appropriately.  Spayed female cats are less likely to develop mammory cancer or infections in their uterus.  Even going through one pregnancy can take a lot out of a cat.  It is best to spay them before they go through a heat cycle.  
        Both surgeries are very safe and are performed Monday through Friday at our hospital. Your kitten needs to be dropped off the morning of surgery and is sent home the same day with specific instructions and pain control.  Recovery time is usually 5-7 days for females and 3-5 days for males depending on the age of your pet.  We would be happy to answer any additional questions you may have about spaying or neutering your kitten. Please don’t hesitate to ask.

Declawing
        We don’t recommend declawing your cat unless it is absolutely necessary. Outdoor cats especially need their nails for hunting and defense.  Scratching posts are a great way to allow cats to sharpen their nails on an appropriate surface.  The majority of cats easily tolerate nail trims if you work with them when they are young.  We would be happy to show you how best to trim your cat’s nails - simply call for an appointment with any of our licensed veterinary technicians.
        If you do decide that you must declaw your kitten it is best to do it as soon as they are 2 lbs or about 10-12 weeks old.  Usually we only need to declaw the front feet, but rare circumstances will require us to declaw all 4 feet.  We can declaw your kitten Monday through Friday.  They need to be dropped off the morning of surgery and they spend the evening at our hospital. The following day we remove their bandages and they are allowed to go home after noon.  We send home detailed instructions and appropriate pain control. Recovery time is usually 7-10 days depending on the age and size of your kitten.


Microchipping
        We offer microchipping or permanent identification of dogs or cats through AVID.  Microchipping your pet is a great way to be able to track your pet in case they were ever to get lost.  A chip, about the size of a grain of rice, is administered under the skin through a needle, very similar to giving a vaccine.  This chip contains a specific number that is only given to your pet.  The information is scanned with a special device that instantly reads the number.  Almost every veterinary clinic and animal shelter has a scanner and readily use them to scan found pets.  They can call the company and look up the number in their database.  Your pet is registered under your name, a friend or family member of your choice and our clinic.  This provides peace of mind in case you ever lose your pet.  We can do microchipping at any time but especially recommend it while your kitten is sedated for it’s spay or neuter.

Nutrition
        Your kitten should be fed a good quality kitten food until they are 8-12 months old.  We recommend Science Diet, Iams and Eukanuba.  These foods provide the appropriate nutrients in the right balance without any extra “fillers”.  Another additional benefit of feeding a good quality food is that you don’t feed them as much (cheaper for you) and your kitten produces less stools. Kittens need extra protein and calories to support their body’s growing needs.
        Your bag of kitten food should have a starting guideline for how much to feed, but it is best to feed your kitten based on what he looks like.  A cat in good weight should have easy to feel ribs but not easy to see.  They should also have a waistline and a tummy tuck.  If your kitten is looking too thin, increase his food slightly or vice versa.  Ideally you should feed your kitten a measured amount each day.  If you have more than one cat, it’s best to feed meals instead of keeping the food down all the time.  This way you control and know how much they are eating.  Always using a measuring cup will help you figure out how much you are feeding and will help us adjust that amount when needed.
        When we determine your kitten is ready to switch to adult food you should always switch their diet slowly.  Adding in a small amount of new food and decreasing the proportional amount of the old food over 7-10 days will lessen the change of developing any stomach upset or diarrhea.
        Please feel free to ask any of our staff members to help you determine if your kitten is in a proper weight and what food and amount is best to feed them.

Dental Care
        Dental disease is one of the most common medical problems with cats.  Prevention is the key.   Just like it is important for us to brush our teeth and see the dentist, it is also just as important for your feline friend.  Every kitten should be introduced to tooth brushing as soon as possible.  Get them used to having their head handled and having something in their mouth.  Eventually you can introduce a toothbrush and toothpaste.  You should use specially formulated toothpaste with enzymes - never use human toothpaste.  Daily brushing is ideal to prevent the progression of disease.  There are also oral gels or treats that can be used but brushing is still the best way.