BTAH

Congratulations on your new kitten!  A new kitten is like having a newborn baby and will bring years of joy and happiness to you and your family.  To help ensure that your kitten will be as healthy as possible, we need to build a foundation of good health from the start.

Kittens require exams and vaccines more often than adult cats when first starting out in life due to their rapid growth and need to build immunity from many viral diseases.  Most kittens are adopted to loving families between six and eight weeks of age and should visit the veterinarian soon after adoption.  At this visit we will perform a thorough physical exam, conduct a fecal test, discuss diet and prescribe heartworm prevention.  The exam is important to make sure your pet is healthy and that everything is developing normally.  We will examine your kitten’s eyes, ears, heart, lungs, abdomen, and skin as well as identify any congenital problems like soft spots on the skull, umbilical hernias, or cleft palates.  Intestinal parasites can rob your kitten of nutrients that can inhibit organ development as well as cause vomiting and diarrhea; we will examine his stool for these and treat if seen.  We will also discuss dietary needs for your kitten.

Heartworm prevention is a must-have in Texas.  Heartworms are passed through a bite from an infected mosquito, and can be fatal.  We will send home your first month of prevention and explain how it works at this visit.

As long as your kitten is in good health, vaccinations may be administered.  Your kitten may have received a vaccine from the breeder or shelter; all kittens should receive a series of vaccinations to help build their immune systems and give them solid foundations in the future.  Each kitten will have his own individual schedule.  Generally, booster vaccines will be given for a total of three sets roughly three to four weeks apart from one another.  At each appointment we will re-examine your kitten to make sure there are no new problems.

Texas state law requires all domestic animals be vaccinated against rabies after twelve weeks of age.  Generally, this vaccine is given during the final series of vaccinations.  Your kitten will receive a tag and a certificate of vaccination.
Feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus are two infections passed either from a kitten’s mother or from another infected cat during play or fighting.  Unfortunately, these diseases are fatal.  We will perform a simple blood test to determine if your kitten is infected.  If your kitten remains indoors all of its life without any further exposure to stray cats, these diseases cannot be transmitted.

Now is a great time to set an appointment for spaying or neutering.  Spaying before the first heat cycle will virtually eliminate breast cancer.  Unwanted pregnancies will be eliminated as well.  Cats can be impregnated multiple times per year leaving many kittens without home; spaying and neutering is the responsible thing to do.  Neutering your kitten can decrease the chance of spraying around the house.  Your kitten can also undergo a declawing procedure during the time of the sterilization procedure if you wish.

A microchip would also be a great investment in your pet.  A microchip is a permanent identification system implanted safely under the skin to identify your cat if he becomes lost.  If your pet should become lost, the microchip will link you to your pet and help get them home.

Our friendly staff will be more than happy to assist you with all of your kitten questions and concerns.  Please call us today to schedule your first appointment.