At this exciting and fun filled time of your life, we want to welcome your new kitten to your family and ours. At Clarkson Village Animal Hospital we constantly strive to provide the best care and service possible.
The first few months of your kitten’s life are important in determining his/her health status as an adult cat.
- A high quality diet which provides optimal growth and nutrition must be introduced early in life to prevent future problems such as obesity and Feline Lower Urinary Tract disease (FLUTD)
- Internal and external parasites must be eliminated to allow for optimum health and also to prevent potential human exposure to these parasites
- Vaccines to prevent contagious disease are of the utmost importance as feline diseases such as upper respiratory virus are extremely contagious
- Training and home safety information
The following is an outline of recommendations and visits for your kitten during his/her first year of life.
2 Months
- Kitten Care Package, including extensive information on kitten health care
- complimentary bag of premium kitten food
- comprehensive physical exam and weigh-in
- consultation regarding feeding, nutrition and litter box training
- nail trim demonstration, if required
- initial kitten vaccinations
- stool sample to check for intestinal parasites
- discussion of the benefits of dental home care
- information regarding the benefits of pet insurance
3 Months
- comprehensive physical exam and weigh-in
- booster kitten vaccinations
- assessment of growth and general body condition
- discussion of any health concerns or questions that you may have
- appropriate treatments for internal parasites, and discussion of the potential health risks of pet parasites to people, particularly children
4 Months
- comprehensive physical exam and weigh-in
- final booster with rabies vaccination
- stool sample to check for intestinal parasites
- spay/neuter/declaw discussions
- assessment of growth and general body condition
- discussion of any health or training concerns
6 Months
- baseline pre-operative blood screening
- spay/neuter operation, +/- declawing if necessary
- microchipping – permanent identification system
- discussion of Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD), risk factors, and proper nutrition to prevent the disease
- discussion of indoor vs. outdoor cat (i.e. potential risks vs. advantages)
- physical exam and assessment of growth and body condition
- discussion of any health concerns
- repeat stool sample for intestinal parasites
8 Months
- start adult food preventive formula to help avoid future urinary problems
Spring
- safe and effective flea prevention injection or topical medication
Summer & Fall
- flea comb regularly, especially outdoor cats
1 Year & Annually
- comprehensive physical exam, consultation with the veterinarian, and weigh-in
- appropriate booster vaccines with rabies
- stool check for intestinal parasites
- diet/nutrition, training, health discussion
