what veterinarian treatment does a kitten need

Potential Kitten Vaccinations Your Cat May Receive

• Bordetella: Bordetella (often referred to as kennel cough in dogs) is a highly contagious respiratory disease, which is...
• Feline Calicivirus: Considered one of the core kitten vaccinations, your vet may suggest you protect your cat from...
• Feline Leukemia: According to the ASPCA, feline leukemia is "one of the most...

Full Answer

When should you take a kitten to the vet?

If your kitten is young, especially 6 weeks or less, the vet will need to assess the kitten's nutrition and hydration status and provide assistance with any needed supplementation. The first kitten vaccination is typically administered between the ages of 6 and 9 weeks.

How often should I give my indoor cat FVRCP?

Currently, the recommendation for indoor/outdoor cats is to administer the FVRCP vaccine annually. For indoor-only cats, the recommendation is to administer the vaccine every three years. Cats heading into stressful situations, such as boarding, may benefit from a core vaccine booster 7-10 days before.

What are the different types of procedures for kittens?

Many practices offer packages that include multiple procedures for kittens. For instance, a new kitten might receive a physical examination, a first vaccination, a deworming, a test for feline leukemia, and a fecal examination all during the same visit. Some veterinary hospitals offer a special price for these packaged services.

How old do kittens have to be to get FVRCP?

The vaccination schedule for FVRCP can begin as early as 6 weeks of age. Kittens are vaccinated once every three to four weeks until they reach 16 weeks of age or older.

What treatment do kittens need?

Around now, your kitten will need their second vaccinations. You should also book them in to be neutered at four months, and ask your vet about worming. Also remember to: Spend lots of time playing with your kitten every day - mental stimulation is also important, so play games like hiding their food.

When should a kitten first go to the vet?

6 weeks oldYou may have many questions for the veterinarian about your kitten's care and feeding. Your pet's vet will answer these questions at your kitten's wellness checkups. Your kitten's first visit to the vet should be be at 6 weeks old.

Should you take a new kitten to the vet?

All newly adopted cats should be brought to a veterinarian within a couple weeks of adoption for a full physical examination even if they are older and already up to date with their vaccinations. Kittens will need to have at least a few visits. They will get vaccines at 8, 12, and 16 weeks of age.

What should my new kitten be tested for?

Blood tests: The American Association of Feline Practitioners recommends testing for FeLV and FIV on all newly-adopted cats, regardless of age, and whether or not there are other cats in their new home.

What vaccines do kittens need?

Immunizations are started at 6-8 weeks of age and are repeated every 3-4 weeks until the kitten is 4 months old. The routine or core vaccinations will protect your kitten from the most common diseases: feline distemper (panleukopenia), feline viral rhinotracheitis (feline herpes virus 1), calicivirus, and rabies.

How much does a vet visit cost for a cat?

Average veterinary price listGrooming8$30 – $500 annuallyCat or Dog teeth cleaning2$50 – $300Cat or Dog vaccinations1$10 – $100Routine vet checkup10$45 – $55Cat or Dog allergy test11$195 – $300 (skin test), $80-$200 (blood test)7 more rows

What happens at a kitten's first vet visit?

Your kitten will be weighed and may need a blood test to check for certain diseases. They will also look for other parasites such as fleas or mites. The vet will examine your kitten's eyes, ears, mouth, skin, coat, and whole body.

What do vets test kittens for?

For this reason, your vet might take a blood test to ensure that your kitten is not carrying FeLV. Blood tests can also test for heartworms in kittens, and a Complete Blood Count (CBC) test can provide insight into your kitten's general health, including identifying anemia, dehydration and inflammation or infection.

What do you use to deworm a kitten?

Answer:Pyrantel (Nemex, Strongid) is effective against roundworms and hookworms, and is safe for young kittens and pregnant queens. ... Ponazuril (Marquis Paste) is effective against coccidia. ... Fenbendazole (Panacur) is effective against roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and Giardia.

How to test a kitten's mobility?

They may watch your kitten walk around to make sure they have a normal gait. Checking your kitten's eyes: An ophthalmoscope may be used to examine your kitten's eyes.

What is the physical examination of a kitten?

This examination includes: Checking inside your kitten's mouth: Baby teeth, the tongue, and the roof of the mouth will especially be examined. Taking your kitten's temperature: A normal ...

How old should a kitten be before testing for FIV?

If your kitten is younger than nine weeks of age, your veterinarian may want to wait until it is at least nine weeks old before testing for FeLV and FIV since kittens less than nine weeks of age are more likely to show a false result.

How long does it take for a kitten to be seen by a vet?

Ideally, your kitten would be examined prior to even bringing it home with you, but you should try to get it seen by a vet within 48 hours if the kitten appears to be healthy. If the kitten is showing any symptoms of an illness, such as watery eyes, sneezing, difficulty breathing, or failure to eat, it should be seen immediately.

What temperature should a kitten be?

Taking your kitten's temperature: A normal rectal temperature of a cat is about 101 F to 103 F. If your kitten's temperature is too high or too low, it may be an indication of a problem. Palpating your kitten's abdomen: Your vet will gently feel your kitten's belly for anything abnormal.

When bringing home a kitten, is it important to get it checked out?

When bringing home a newly adopted kitten, it is imperative that you get it checked out by a veterinarian as soon as possible. This is not only for your kitten's own health, but to also ensure that it doesn't share any serious communicable diseases.

Can you get parasites from a kitten?

Many parasites can be passed on to people, so it is important to eliminate them from your kitten. Blood tests : The American Association of Feline Practitioners recommends testing for FeLV and FIV on all newly-adopted cats, regardless of age, and whether or not there are other cats in their new home.

What to do when you take a kitten to the vet?

When you take your kitten to the vet for the first time, be sure to bring along any paperwork you got at the adoption. If that's not available, write down the information you were told so you don't forget. Call the person you adopted the kitten from and ask any questions if necessary.

What to do if your cat is sick?

If your kitten becomes sick at any point, it is important to contact your vet without delay. Illnesses in kittens can become serious very quickly.

How long does it take for a kitten to get rabies shots?

Kitten vaccine boosters will need to be done at intervals of about three weeks until your kitten reaches age 16 to 20 weeks. The rabies vaccine is generally done once at the final kitten visit.

How long after adopting a kitten can you go to the vet?

There isn't a set age for the first vet visit, though it's recommended to have an exam within 24 to 72 hours after adopting the kitten. If you already have cats in your home, it's best to go to the vet before bringing the new kitten home. Your new kitten may have an illness that is not obvious to you. Circumstances such as a rescued kitten ...

What do you need to know about kittens?

Your kitten will be weighed and may need a blood test to check for certain diseases. They will also look for other parasites such as fleas or mites. The vet will examine your kitten's eyes, ears, mouth, skin, coat, and whole body.

When do kittens get their first shots?

Vaccinations. The first kitten vaccination is typically administered between the ages of 6 and 9 weeks. A healthy mother cat who is up to date on her vaccinations will afford her kittens the best start in life.

Can kittens become serious?

Illnesses in kittens can become serious very quickly. Establishing a relationship with your vet and a new pet is always smoother in a non-emergency situation. Finding out the clinic hours and who to call for emergencies will put you ahead of the game. Kitten's First Vet Visit.

What is routine care for cats?

Routine health care refers to the non-emergency, general care that is needed to keep your cat healthy throughout its life. This includes routine veterinary care for vaccinations, parasite control, and dental care; proper nutrition; grooming; and protection from household hazards.

How often should I see a vet for my cat?

Kittens need veterinary visits usually every 3 to 4 weeks until they are about 4 months old. Geriatric cats (older than 8 to 9 years old) should see their veterinarian twice a year or more frequently because illness is more common in older pets and should be identified sooner to provide proper treatment.

What parasites can cats get?

Several internal and external parasites can infect cats (see Table: Common Parasites of Cats ). Common intestinal parasites of cats include roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms. Worm infections are often passed through eggs in feces or directly from mother to offspring through the placenta or milk.

Why do cats like to be brushed?

Brushing also limits the amount of hair that cats ingest, which helps decrease the development of hairballs. Many cats like being brushed, and grooming can be used as a reward and time of bonding. Mats should be removed with electric clippers (not scissors) to avoid cutting the skin underneath.

How to tell if your cat is sick?

Because you are more familiar with your cat than anyone else, you should watch it carefully for subtle signs of illness that another person or even a veterinarian may miss. General signs of illness include a lack of appetite or decreased activity. Other more specific signs include vomiting and diarrhea, urinating more (or less) frequently, coughing and sneezing, or a discharge from the eyes, ears, or nose. Illness can also show up as a loss of hair or itchy areas on the skin or around the ears. Problems with the musculoskeletal system are often seen as stiffness or lameness, such as not putting weight on a leg. If your cat shows any of these signs for more than a day or two, a visit with your veterinarian is a good idea.

Why do cats stop grooming?

Short-haired breeds usually require little brushing or bathing by their owners. Routine brushing of long-haired cats, or of cats that stop grooming because of illness, is important to remove shed hair and prevent hair mats.

What is the larvae on a cat's skin?

Outdoor cats can also become infested with a Cuterebra larva, which is a developmental stage of a particular fly . The larvae are commonly found around rodent and rabbit holes, and they burrow under the skin of cats. This results in a large swelling under the skin, usually around the head or neck area, with a small, round breathing hole on the skin surface. Treatment consists of removing the larva and treating the resulting wound.

What is a kitten's care?

A kitten is a jumping, snoozing, rolling, playing ball of fun that can provide hours of entertainment. But kittens also need proper care and attention to ensure they grow up happy and healthy.

How to get rid of runny eyes in kittens?

If your kitten has runny eyes, clean them with a cotton ball dipped in warm water. But if it lasts for more than 24 hours, you should see your veterinarian. Although it’s usually not anything serious, I’ve seen kittens go blind from this when it was left untreated. It’s also more common in younger kittens.

Why are birth defects more common in purebred cats?

Many kittens born with birth defects don’t survive. Birth defects also are more common in purebred cats, because of the way they’re bred. Purebred cats have more health issues, too. It has to do with genetics and a smaller gene pool.

When do kittens test positive for FIV?

But because the test for FIV detects antibodies, kittens will sometimes test positive from the antibodies they receive from their mother, without actually having the disease. When they’re retested at six months of age, most will be negative.

Why do kittens get so fragile?

It can come from environmental factors, such as maternal neglect, or it can be physical, such as congenital birth defects, low birth weight, anemia. Various infections also can play a role. The biggest thing to keep in mind is that kittens are very fragile, just like infants are, when they are born.

Can fleas kill kittens?

These fleas are going to town and the kittens get very anemic and they can die from this. There are flea treatments you can use on kittens, but you have to be very cautious. Some treatments meant for older cats can kill a kitten. You also don’t want to bathe your kitten, because it can drop their body temperature.

Do kittens need care?

But kittens also need proper care and attention to ensure they grow up happy and healthy. So WebMD asked Drew Weigner, an American Board of Veterinary Practitioners certified specialist in feline medicine and a past president of the Academy of Feline Medicine, how to avoid kitten pitfalls.

What does it mean to adopt a kitten?

Adopting a new kitten means going through many milestones together, including bringing your cat home for the first time, litter training her and introducing her to other animals to name a few . Other important first steps will take place in your veterinarian's office. From vaccinations to spaying and neutering, being a new pet parent comes with new responsibilities.

How old is a kitten when it gets boosters?

Boosters will continue to be given every three to four weeks until the kitten reaches 16 weeks old or until the full series of vaccinations are complete.

What are the symptoms of calicivirus in cats?

Signs of this disease include swollen face and joints, hair loss and scabbed or ulcerated skin. Feline calicivirus can also attack internal organs, like the lungs, pancreas and liver. Feline Leukemia: According to the ASPCA, feline leukemia is "one of the most commonly diagnosed causes of disease ... in domestic cats.".

Is panleukopenia a contagious disease in cats?

Panleukopenia: The shot for panleukopenia, also known as feline distemper, is another recommended vaccination. Kitten dist emperment is both highly contagious in cats and often fatal. It is often passed from an untreated mother cat to her kittens.

Can cats get leukemia?

Feline leukemia weakens the immune system and predisposes a cat to many other illnesses, such as anemia, kidney disease and lymphosarcoma, according to the ASPCA. Feline Herpesvirus Type 1: The feline herpesvirus causes conjunctivitis and upper respiratory issues in cats, which is why it's considered a core vaccine for your kitten.

Can cats get chlamydia?

Chlamydophila felis: A chlamydia infection is usually passed by close contact with other cats. Unlike other feline respiratory illnesses, chlamydia is not usually fatal. It most often presents with red, swollen or runny eyes, according to the European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases, and may require antibiotic treatment.

Can a cat get Bordetella?

However, remember that your kitten can contract it prior to adoption, especially if she was raised in a place with other kittens or adult cats. This is not a common vaccination in the United States, and under no circumstances should your cat ever receive the canine vaccination.

What are the procedures for a kitten?

For instance, a new kitten might receive a physical examination, a first vaccination, a deworming, a test for feline leukemia, and a fecal examination all during the same visit. Some veterinary hospitals offer a special price for these packaged services.

What are the best shots for kittens?

All kittens need vaccinations to help keep them healthy. Vaccinations, by definition, protect your kitten from contracting specific diseases. Cat vaccinations are divided into two types: 1 Core cat vaccinations are those that protect against especially common and/or particularly dangerous diseases and are recommended for all kittens and adult cats. 2 Non-core vaccinations are not necessarily recommended for all cats. Instead, these vaccines are recommended only for those cats that are at high risk of infection. In the case of non-core vaccinations, your cat’s lifestyle must be evaluated to determine the risk of disease and whether the risk associated with vaccination is greater than the risk of your cat getting the disease.

How old do kittens have to be to get a FVRCP shot?

The vaccination schedule for FVRCP can begin as early as 6 weeks of age. Kittens are vaccinated once every three to four weeks until they reach 16 weeks of age or older. However, to avoid over-vaccination, most veterinarians will recommend starting the vaccine at 8 weeks of age, followed by boosters at 12 weeks and 16 weeks old. ...

What is FIV in cats?

FIV vaccination is reserved for cats at high risk for disease. FIV is a viral disease that is most often spread from cat to cat via bite wounds . Vaccination for FIV produces a positive FIV test, which is indistinguishable from infection. Cats being vaccinated should receive a FIV test prior to vaccination.

What is the most common cause of upper respiratory infections in cats?

These are all diseases that are ubiquitous in nature and frequently found in the general cat population. Calicivirus is one of the most common viral causes of feline upper respiratory infections. Protection against all three of these viruses is generally provided in a combination vaccine.

When can kittens get rabies shots?

Your kitten can receive a rabies vaccination as early as 12 weeks of age , but this depends on state laws and the veterinarian.

When should cats get their FIV?

Cats being vaccinated should receive a FIV test prior to vaccination. The vaccine is not 100 percent effective. Vaccination can begin at 8 weeks of age and should be boostered at two- to three-week intervals for a total of three initial vaccines.

What is the FVRCP for cats?

FVRCP Vaccine for Cats. The other three core vaccines are combined into a single three-in-one vaccine called the FVRCP vaccin e. This allows veterinarians to efficiently administer the vaccines all at once, instead of having to inject a cat three separate times in one visit.

How often should cats get their FeLV shots?

However, based on most recent data, the Vaccine Advisory Panel recommends that subsequent vaccines may be administered based on risk: yearly for high-risk cats and every two years for lower risk cats. Your veterinarian can assess your cat’s risk of FeLV infection and decide on an appropriate vaccination schedule.

Why is rabies fatal to cats?

Rabies is significant not only for its effect on the cat but because it is a disease that is transmissible and fatal to humans. While cats are not natural carriers for the disease, they can be infected by a bite from any infected mammal and then pass it on to others.

How long does it take for a cat to get a core shot?

For this reason, initial core kitten vaccinations occur at three- to four-week intervals until the cat is 16-20 weeks old and maternal antibodies are out of the system. For any cat over 16 weeks old whose vaccine history is unknown, the initial series consists of two doses given three to four weeks apart.

What happens if a cat gets a virus?

In some cases, it also causes oral ulceration and pneumonia. After the cat recovers from the initial infection, the virus enters a latency period in the nerves.

Can cats get sarcomas without a history of a reaction?

Sarcomas occur with about the same rare frequency as anaphylactic reactions. For cats without a history of vaccine reactions, the risk of sarcomas is usually outweighed by the benefit of the core vaccines. Pet owners can minimize the impact of sarcomas by monitoring injection sites for swelling after vaccinations.