This is offered as general information only and NOT a substitute for a visit to your veterinarian.
CONGRATULATIONS on your new family member. Owning a kitten can be very rewarding and also very challenging. This handout is meant to be a brief introduction to the care of your new kitten.
FeLV/FIV Testing
Every new kitten should be tested for feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus. If your kitten is carrying the FeLV virus is can drastically affect his/her life and it is important to be aware of this infection. If you kitten tests positive to FIV and is less than 6 months of age, we will want to retest once he/she is older. There is a possibility the kitten is still carrying the mother’s antibodies. If it is a true positive test again it is important to know as we will want to take special precautions with your pet.
Vaccines are critical to the health of your new kitten.
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FVRCP -- a 3 way vaccine used to help protect your little one from feline distemper and several components of the feline upper respiratory viral complex.
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FeLV -- Feline Leukemia transdermal vaccine is used to help protect your kitten against this virus. FeLV infection can attack the immune system and is life threatening. However, as discussed below, if your kitten will be strictly indoors only, this vaccine may not be necessary.
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Rabies Vaccine – used in kittens 16 weeks and older in California to protect against rabies virus exposure. It is important due to human health concerns with cat bites as well.
THE SCHEDULE:
Age |
VAX |
Date Due |
Date Given
|
8 weeks |
FVRCP #1 |
|
|
12 weeks |
FVRCP #2 |
|
|
16 weeks |
FVRCP #3 |
|
|
*FeLV vaccine used only in kittens and cats with outdoor exposure.
**Please restrict your kitten’s exposure to other cats and kittens until the vaccine series is completed.**
Risk of Fibrosarcoma Development
It has been shown that vaccines can predispose cats to tumor development. There has been an association between FeLV and Rabies vaccine with tumor development. Around 1 in 5,000 cats are at risk. It is believed that the adjuvant (an additive in vaccines to help extend the life of the vaccine and therefore protection in the body) is responsible. We, at White Ivie, are utilizing non-adjuvanted vaccines when possible to help reduce the risk to your pet. The frequency and sites of administration have also been adjusted to help reduce risk, yet maximize the protection to your pet.
Deworming
We recommend every kitten be treated for roundworms. This is the most frequent intestinal parasite of kittens. It is normal to expect these worms to pass into the feces after treatment.
We will also do a fecal centrifugation and direct fecal exam.
Heartworm Preventative
Heartworm in cats is a disease that seems to be more prevalent than previously recognized. Because it is not a treatable disease in cats, prevention is very important. The veterinarian will want to discuss your cat’s risk factors and determine if giving a monthly prevention is advisable. We always recommend prevention for cats living in the Woodside/Portola Valley area, where heartworm infection is more prevalent in dogs too. Because heartworm preventatives also protect against most intestinal parasites, we do recommend these products to all outdoor cats.
Fleas
Fleas can be a nuisance to you and your pet. In high quantities, fleas can cause a life-threatening anemia to young kittens. Ideal treatment options for kittens greater than 7 weeks of age include any of, or combination of, the following:
- Revolution – topical insecticide, faster kill rate than Advantage and is safer for your pet and controls fleas for a full 30 days. Also protects against heartworm, most intestinal parasites, and mites.
- Program – oral medication, adult fleas are made sterile and therefore can no longer lay fertile eggs, thereby breaking the lifecycle of the flea in your home. Protection lasts 4 weeks.
- Frontline Plus – topical insecticide, kills adult fleas and ticks within 24 hours. Protection lasts approximately 4 weeks.
Other Parasites – The Fecal Exam
There are MANY intestinal parasites your kitten can carry. It is very important to bring in a fecal sample for us to evaluate with special testing under a microscope. Some parasites are transmissible to humans, so this is a critical step for the health of your pet and protection of your family. For more information, please visit www.petsandparasites.org
Diet
Kittens should be fed a main brand kitten food such as – Science Diet, Iams, Eukanuba, Friskies, or Purina, from weaning until 1 year of age. Ideally train your kitten to be meal fed rather than always leaving food out. This will help control problems with obesity that could develop later in life. Dry foods are recommended over wet foods to help reduce the accumulation of plaque on the teeth.
Spay/Neuter
We recommend your kitten be spayed or neutered at 6 months of age. Neutering your cat will help reduce the risk of spraying and marking behaviors. Also from the cat overpopulation standpoint, fixing your pet is the most responsible choice you can make.
Finally, if you have any questions or concerns about anything, please feel free to contact us. We will be happy to help!
