The Wellness Exam is the key to keeping your kitten healthy. Kittens age 14 years by human standards their first year of life! The general physical exam will help determine if your pet is growing and developing normally, or to detect any problems at an early stage.

4 in 1 Combo Vaccine is the core vaccine for most cats. This vaccine prevents the diseases your kitten is most likely to come into contact with. Even if your pet is "only a house" cat, they will be exposed to these infections regularly. Most of the common feline diseases are airborne and travel about freely. Kittens need 3 vaccines, 3-4 weeks apart, to develop adequate protection, then a booster every year.

Fecal exams should be part of wellness care. Kittens can have both worm and non-worm parasites and can even get parasites while still in the uterus or from their own mother’s milk! Most parasites are occult (hidden) and cannot be seen with the naked eye. We advise 2 stool tests, usually 60 days apart, for all new kittens.

Feline leukemia (Felv) and FIV testing is strongly advised for any new cat or kitten. These viruses are like the human AIDS viruses and are highly contagious. Felv can cause leukemia, lymphosarcoma (lymph node cancer), bone marrow cancer, other types of cancer, respiratory disease, reproductive failures and fading kitten syndrome. FIV can cause chronic fevers, enlarged lymph nodes, diarrhea, inflammation of the lips and gums, upper-respiratory infections that persist for long periods and behavioral changes. Kittens can catch either from their mother or other cats so it is a good idea to make sure your kitten is negative early in their life.

Feline leukemia vaccine is advised for any indoor/outdoor cat and for cats living in multi-cat households. The incidence of felv doubles when two cats are in a home, and triples with additional cats, even if they are indoors only.

Rabies Vaccine is not required by law but you should consider this vaccine if your cat will be outdoors at all.

Spaying and Neutering should be done about 5-6 months of age.

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©2007 James W. Day D.V.M., P.C.