Kitten Care
Giving Your New Best Friend the Best Start: Kitten Veterinary Care
Welcome to Rose Creek Animal Clinic’s dedicated kitten care page! We’re thrilled you’ve welcomed a new kitten into your home. Bringing your kitten to us as soon as you can after he or she arrives home is crucial for your kitten’s health and development, and we’re here to partner with you every step of the way.
Why is Kitten Veterinary Care So Important?
Just like human babies, kittens have specific needs to ensure they grow into healthy, happy adult cats. Our comprehensive kitten care focuses on:
- Building a Strong Foundation: We’ll establish a preventative care plan tailored to your kitten’s individual needs.
- Protection Against Illness: Vaccinations are vital to shield your kitten from potentially life-threatening diseases. We’ll discuss the recommended schedule and answer all your questions.
- Parasite Prevention: Tiny kittens are susceptible to internal and external parasites. We offer safe and effective treatments and preventative measures.
- Nutritional Guidance: Fueling your kitten’s rapid growth with the right diet is essential. We’ll provide advice on selecting the best food for their age and lifestyle.
- Early Detection of Health Issues: Regular kitten check-ups allow us to identify and address any potential health concerns early on.
- Behavioral Advice: We can offer guidance on common kitten behaviors and help you establish positive habits.
- Answering Your Questions: Bringing a new kitten home comes with lots of questions! Our team is here to provide support and expert advice.
What to Expect During Your Kitten’s Visits:
Rose Creek Animal Clinic’s experienced veterinary team will provide gentle and thorough care for your kitten. Routine visits typically include:
- A comprehensive physical examination.
- Vaccinations as needed.
- Deworming and parasite prevention.
- Discussions about nutrition and behavior.
- Answering all of your questions and concerns.
When Should Your Kitten First See Us?
We recommend bringing your new kitten in for their first veterinary visit as soon as possible, ideally within a few days of bringing them home. This allows us to establish a baseline for their health and begin their preventative care plan.
Vaccines
The recommended kitten vaccines typically include core and non-core vaccines. Core vaccines are considered essential for all kittens, while non-core vaccines are recommended based on the kitten’s lifestyle and risk of exposure. We will discuss your kitten’s anticipated lifestyle with you during your initial kitten visit with us to determine the most appropriate vaccination schedule for your kitten based on their individual risk factors, age, health status, and local regulations and will provide a tailored plan to ensure your kitten receives the best protection against preventable diseases.
Schedule your pet’s wellness exam today!
Core Vaccines
FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia):
- Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR): Caused by feline herpesvirus type 1, leading to upper respiratory infections.
- Feline Calicivirus (FCV): Another common cause of upper respiratory infections and can also cause oral ulcers and joint pain.
- Feline Panleukopenia (FPV): Also known as feline distemper, a highly contagious and often fatal disease, especially in young kittens.
Schedule: Typically given in a series of 3-4 vaccinations starting between 6-8 weeks of age and administered every 3-4 weeks until the kitten is around 16 weeks old. Boosters are generally required one year after the initial series and then every 1-3 years.
Rabies:
A fatal viral disease affecting the central nervous system of mammals, including cats and humans. In many jurisdictions, rabies vaccination is legally required.
Schedule: Usually given as a single dose between 12-16 weeks of age, depending on local regulations and the veterinarian’s recommendation. A booster is required one year later, and subsequent boosters are typically given every 1-3 years, depending on the vaccine type and local laws.
Non-Core Vaccines (Recommended based on risk factors):
FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus):
A retrovirus that can weaken a cat’s immune system, making them susceptible to other infections and diseases, including cancer. It’s typically recommended for kittens, especially those who will go outdoors or live with other cats. Kittens should be tested negative for FeLV before vaccination.
Schedule: Usually a series of two vaccines given 3-4 weeks apart, starting as early as 8 weeks of age. A booster is recommended one year after the initial series. For indoor-only cats with no contact with outside cats, further boosters may not be necessary.
Bordetella bronchiseptica (not stocked in-clinic):
A bacterium that can cause upper respiratory infections, commonly known as kennel cough. This vaccine might be recommended for kittens who will be in group settings like shelters, boarding facilities, or multi-cat households where the risk of infection is higher.
Schedule: May involve two doses initially, followed by annual boosters if the risk of exposure remains.
Chlamydia felis (not stocked in-clinic):
A bacterial infection that can cause conjunctivitis (eye inflammation) and upper respiratory issues in cats. Vaccination might be considered in multi-cat environments or where the disease is prevalent.
Schedule: Typically involves an initial series of vaccinations and may require annual boosters.
Ready to Schedule Your Kitten’s Appointment?
Give your new companion the gift of good health! Contact us today to schedule their first appointment. You can call us at [Add Phone Number] or request an appointment online.