Kitten Wellness

Our kitten wellness program is designed to help get your kitten started on the right path to a long and healthy life. The first few months are a critical period in your kitten’s development, and we can give you the support and tools necessary to help him or her grow into a well-mannered, healthy cat, including information and advice on nutrition, litter box training and behavior.

As soon as you bring your new kitten home, please contact us to schedule his or her first exam. Until your kitten has received its complete series of initial vaccines, he or she is susceptible to many serious but preventable diseases. We need to make sure your new pet is protected against rabies and panleukopenia (distemper), tested for FeLV / FIV (feline leukemia virus / feline immunodeficiency virus) and subsequently vaccinated for FeLV in at least its first year of life (future FeLV vaccines depend on its lifestyle and risk factors).

In addition, your kitten will need to be tested and treated for parasites, which are common in young cats. Many kittens have roundworms, which are intestinal worms that can cause coughing, weight loss and a potbellied appearance, although symptoms may not be apparent. It is important for kittens to be treated for roundworms, not only to help rid them of the infection but also to prevent you and the rest of your family from becoming infected. Roundworms are a zoonotic parasite, which means they can be transmitted from pets to people. By ensuring that your kitten is properly treated, you can help keep your entire family safe.

Another common intestinal parasite is coccidia, a single-cell parasite not visible to the naked eye, which can cause mild to life-threatening diarrhea. Fortunately, once diagnosed, it can be easily treated.

For information on other potential intestinal parasites, please see our Parasite Prevention and Control.

We look forward to meeting your new kitten! Please contact us to schedule your appointment today.