Congratulations on your new member of the family.

VACCINATIONS

Vaccinations are one of the most important preventative health care measures that you as a responsible pet owner can provide your new kitten.

Like with humans, kittens must also have vaccinations in order to build their immune system to protect them against common but fatal dieses. These vaccines are vital and require 2 vaccinations 3 to 4 weeks apart in order to give your kitten the best prevention.

Before any vaccination is administered, your kitten will be given a thorough health check by one of our Veterinary Professionals to ensure they are in full health. This allows you to ask any questions or queries you may have.

The first vaccination can be administered from 8 to 9 weeks of age. In some cases the breeder may have already started the course for you so please check with them if, when and which vaccination has been previously used.

The second vaccination can be administered 3 to 4 weeks from the first vaccination but no earlier than 12 weeks of age. They will then require yearly vaccinations thereafter. Your kitten should not be outside until at least 1 week after the second vaccination has been given to ensure that optimal immunity has been reached.

These vaccinations cover kittens for Feline Calici Virus, Feline Rhinotracheitis, Feline infectious enteritis (Feline Panleucopaenia) and Leukaemia Virus.

SOCIALISING

The importance of socialisation is often overlooked when bringing home your new kitten. Whilst they are young it is important to expose them to many different things and situations in a controlled environment. This will allow them to gain confidence and therefore happier overall.

Whilst you cannot let your kitten outside until one week after their second vaccine, you can introduce them to a variety of objects and situations. Studies suggest that kittens are not ready to venture outside by themselves until 6 months of age. Kittens can become stressed easily so it is important to introduce things in a slow and controlled manner.

Please speak to the practice if you have any questions surrounding socialisation.

FLEA AND WORM CONTROL

Your kitten will receive one free preventative treatment on either their first or second vaccination consultation. The product of choice here is Nexgard Combo which is a pipette applied to your kitten neck. It is given monthly and covers your kitten for; fleas, ticks, tapeworm, heartworm, roundworm, lungworm and ear mites. This product can be applied to your kitten from 8 weeks of age depending on their weight.

There are many products available for flea and worm prevention and should you feel this particular product is not suitable for your kitten please discuss this during your consultation.

MICROCHIPPING

Microchips are the size of a small grain of rice and implanted beneath the skin between the shoulder blades. We do recommend microchipping at second vaccination or at the time of neutering when your kitten will be anaethetised.

Once your kitten has been microchipped we will register this microchip with the online database PetLog. We will complete the initial set up to include yours and your kittens details however, it is your responsibility to keep these details updated.

Microchips are permanent and assist in identifying and reuniting your pet with you should they get lost.

NEUTERING

Neutering is recommended in both male and female cats, this can be carried out from 5 months of age. This is a surgical procedure eliminating the potential to reproduce, in males this is commonly referred to as castration and in females spaying. There are many benefits to this procedure for both yourself and your kitten, which will be discussed with you at the time of either first or second vaccination.

DENTAL CARE

Dental disease is one of the most common conditions found in pets, if left untreated it can lead to other serious health concerns later on in life. Dental care at home such as; brushing teeth, feeding the correct diet and having regular Vet check-ups is key to delaying the effects of dental disease. Introducing dental care at a young age will allow your kitten to be comfortable with you carrying out a routine.

DIET

Your kitten’s diet is an important factor in helping your kitten grow and stay healthy. The food should contain all the nutrients they need for each stage in their development, you will be required to adapt the food and rations you provide as they grow.

You should stick to the same diet your kitten has previously been fed for at least one week after bringing them home, you will then be able to gradually switch to a kitten food of your choice should you prefer an alternative diet. A sudden change in food can cause digestive upset and stress.

The stress of moving to a new home may mean that your kitten does not eat much at first, but once settled their appetite should return. Cats are known grazers meaning they naturally do not eat large meals in one sitting.

Vets and pet owners share a common interest to keep animals in our care as healthy as possible. Nutrition is the foundation of health and so it is important that any diet fed to our pets is nutritionally balanced and complete. 

The WSAVA (World Small Animal Veterinary Association) recommend that both dogs and cats should NOT be fed raw diets. A statement made by the WSAVA is as follows “There is no evidence that raw meat-based diets provide health benefits over commercial or balanced homemade cooked diets…There is growing evidence that feeding raw meat can be a health risk both for the animal and the owner.”

Homemade Raw diets have a high risk for contamination with bacteria, parasites and other pathogens. In addition to the risks of nutritional inadequacy and contamination with bacteria and parasites, other health concerns for an animal eating a raw diet includes risks of consumption of bones (leading to constipation, diarrhoea, dental fractures and gastrointestinal obstructions) and the risk of diet induced hyperthyroidism from excessive ingestion of thyroid tissue. 

There is currently no properly documented evidence of health benefits for feeding a raw diet but there are well documented risks which should be taken into consideration when choosing your pets diet. 

Should you have any questions regarding your kitten’s diet or eating habits then please discuss this with us.

PET INSURANCE

Whilst we cannot recommend insurance companies we strongly recommend getting your kitten insured with a company and policy that best suits you. Lifetime polices are the most beneficial policies out there. Having insurance will help cover the cost of unexpected Veterinary bills due to accidents or illness.

At your kitten’s first or second vaccination we can introduce you to a company called PetPlan who will provide you with 4 weeks free cover. There is no obligation to continue with this company once your 4 weeks has run out. PetPlan will however, contact you regarding their policies near the end of your free cover.

This 4 week cover will provide you with peace of mind whilst allowing you more time to search for a long term policy. Please make sure you read all the information provided by these companies when searching to ensure it is best suited to you.

Never hesitate to give us a call on 01634 854411.