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 [ back ] Taking care of... YOUR NEW KITTEN
Visits to the veterinarian
We hope you find the following information useful and that it helps guide you in maintaining the health of your new companion.
Vaccinations play an important part in the prevention of certain feline illnesses. Ask your veterinarian about establishing a vaccination program adapted to your pet. Usually, cats are not bothered by these injections. However, some may become slightly drowsy or lose their appetite for one or two days. Allergic reactions are very rare; if your kitten shows signs of swelling in the face, head or neck; itching and discomfort; or persistent vomiting within 24 hours following the vaccination, contact your veterinarian immediately. These reactions will be entered in your pet's file. Until the first boosters have been given, you should keep your kitten away from all other cats - especially those who seem sick or have not yet been vaccinated. Treatments against parasites All cats undergo an individual medical examination and receive the appropriate de-worming treatment the first time they visit the veterinarian. The product that removes intestinal parasites from cats can be given orally, by injection or even topically. Given that most kittens have been exposed to parasites either through their mother or their surroundings, we strongly recommend that your kitten receive a routine de-worming treatment during the first visit to the veterinarian and that a stool sample be taken for analysis to make sure your kitten is not suffering from Coccidiosis. We also recommend that you have your adult pet de-wormed or have a stool analysis done especially if your cat likes to hunt - mice and birds for example - or if your cat has diarrhea or blood in its stool. Outdoor cats should receive preventative treatment against fleas during the summer months to avoid any frustrating and costly infestations in your home. Ask your veterinarian about the different ways you can prevent this problem. Sterilisation Non-breeding cats should be sterilized at 4 to 6 months of age. This procedure is not only an excellent way to control the already rapidly growing feline population, but is also a way of showing how much you care about the future health of your cat. Sterilisation also affects your cat's natural but sometimes annoying behaviours, for example marking territory with urine (in and outside your home) will be less likely; repetitive heat cycles will disappear. Sterilisation is a routine surgical procedure well tolerated by both male and female kittens. Obviously, like any surgical procedure, it includes a slight risk of minor complications such as an infection where the incision was made or even a reaction to the anaesthetic. To reduce problems caused by anaesthetic, we recommend that a special blood test be carried out before surgery. On the whole, the advantages to sterilisation far outweigh the disadvantages. Declawing Declawing is an operation that consists of removing a cat's claws permanently. This is not recommended as a routine procedure. It is only done when needed and then, only on the front paws because a cat rarely uses the hind claws to scratch or to cause damage. Diet When feeding your kitten, we recommend using a good quality kitten food. Many companies produce it, but what is important is that your kitten be able to stomach the one you choose. If you find it difficult to choose a brand, do not hesitate to speak with your veterinarian. Around 6 to 8 months of age, you can gradually begin giving your pet adult cat food. We strongly recommend that you do not feed your pet table scraps, which could cause your cat to develop bad diet habits and become obese. Obesity, which is widespread among adult cats, will predispose your pet to becoming diabetic and to having urinary problems. Certain cats, even young ones, are more susceptible than others to developing urinary problems. A special diet might even be necessary. If, for example, your cat urinates outside the litter box, urinates frequently or in small amounts, is unable to urinate, seems to be in pain when urinating or has blood in the urine, contact your veterinarian immediately. Dental hygiene It is important to maintain your cat's dental hygiene throughout its lifetime to help avoid loss of teeth or the appearance of gingivitis. To do this, you can brush your cat's teeth with a special toothpaste and toothbrush. Ideally, you should start when your cat is young. To make it easier, start by opening your kitten's mouth and rubbing your finger on its gums at an early age. Afterwards, you can begin using the toothbrush and toothpaste. Of course, you need patience and perseverance, but it is worth it because the veterinarian will spend less time cleaning your cat's teeth at the hospital. At every annual check-up, the veterinarian will examine your cat's mouth and be able to diagnose problems that are about to appear. If you are having difficulty cleaning your pet's teeth, there are treats and special food items available that can help reduce tartar build-up. Nail clipping, ear cleaning and grooming It is important that your kitten become accustomed to getting its nails clipped and ears cleaned at a young age. Nails can be clipped with a nail clipper every 2 to 4 weeks, as needed. If you have never clipped a cat's nails, you can ask your veterinarian to show you how to do it because if you accidentally clip the nails too short, you can damage a blood vessel and nerve and cause pain and bleeding. If you are worried about doing it yourself, you can have it done by a professional groomer or by a technician at the hospital. Some cats might need an ear cleaning every 3 to 4 weeks; others, almost never because they do such a good job cleaning their own ears. You should occasionally examine your cat's ears because if there were ever any abnormal discharge, reddening or swelling, it could mean infection. If you need to clean your cat's ears, use a gauze, a clean cloth or cotton ball soaked with a special mixture for this purpose. Cotton swabs (Q-tips) should never be used because if your pet should turn its head abruptly, you could damage the internal part of the ear. If you need to, ask us to show you how to clean your pet's ears during one of your first visits. You might need to brush your cat daily depending on how long the fur is. Once again, it would be wise to get your kitten used to it at a young age. Some advice If you leave your kitten alone in the house, make sure the area is free of danger. Indoor plants that your pet might chew can represent an often unsuspected danger; some plants such as Diffenbachia are even toxic once swallowed. Also, be wary of traditional kitten toys, i.e.: balls of string or yarn. If your kitten were to swallow pieces of these, they could get lodged in the small intestine and cause serious intestinal problems which would require surgical intervention. So get rid of any small objects that your cat can swallow. If you have any questions about these topics or other aspects of your pet's health, do not hesitate to ask. The Pierrefonds Animal Hospital would like to be your partner in maintaining the health and well-being of your pet.
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Your kitten's first visit to the veterinarian will involve a complete check-up. After which, the veterinarian will be able to assess your pet's health and discuss important points with you such as vaccinations, de-worming treatments and diet. You might have to bring your kitten a few times for the first couple of months for a complete series of boosters and to ensure that your pet develops normally. After that, an annual visit for your kitten's check-up and vaccinations should be enough. These visits allow the veterinarian to detect any early signs of illness as well as evaluate the condition of your kitten's teeth and its general health. You can also take this opportunity to discuss any problems related to the health of your pet.