Kitten Info
Newborn kittens receive disease fighting antibodies in their mother’s milk. However, these antibodies start to decrease at about the 6 week mark. After that your kitten requires vaccinations to stimulate there immune sytems to produce their own antibodies. At Chinook Country Veterinary Clinic we recommend that kittens receive vaccines at the 6-8 week mark, and then need to receive a booster at the 10-12 week mark and again at 14-26 week mark.
At their first visit, 6-8 weeks of age, your kitten will receive a full health exam and be vaccinated against Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia. As well our health care team will deworm your pet. Our protocol for deworming your animal is every 2 weeks until they are 3 months of age, then every month until they are 6 months of age, then every 3-4 months for life. A member of our Health Care Team will also take the time in this visit to discuss any concerns you may have in regards to your kitten’s diet, as well they will discuss neutering, socialization, scratching posts, litter training and any risks that may occur when traveling. If you have young children, elderly people in your home or any additional health concerns in your home you may wish to discuss them with the Veterinarian at this time.
At their next visit, 10-12 weeks of age, our veterinarians will again perform a complete health exam, an exam must performed each time the animal is vaccinated as kittens just like babies change so much in the first few months of growth. After the health exam the Veterinarian will then booster your animal’s vaccination against Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia vaccines these vaccines will now not require a booster vaccine for 3 years (if all vaccines were performed with us, if a different type of vaccine was used initially this may alter your particular pet’s vaccine schedule). Your Kitten will also be vaccinated against Feline Leukemia. At this visit a member of our Health Care Team will discuss any questions you have regarding your kittens well being and any issues you may have with house training, or any genetic concerns with the breed of your kitten. If you are choosing to use your kitten as breeding stock we may discuss information in regards to the likelihood of c-sections, bloodwork need for pre-breeding screens.
During the third visit, 14-16 weeks of age, our veterinarians will again perform a complete health exam. They will then administer booster vaccines to your kitten for Feline Leukemia, and your pet will also be vaccinated against Rabies at this visit. These vaccines will require annual boosters. A member of our Health Care Team will also discuss in this visit dental care, grooming, long term maintenance, and re-visit the topics of neutering and training. We also give you some pre-surgical information to review prior to your pet’s for neutering.
The next time we should see your pet should be when they are 5-6 months of age for their neutering. We recommend this unless you are using your pet for breeding.
Neutering for females referred to as spaying is the complete removal of the ovaries and uterus. It involves a general anesthesia and is a major abdominal surgery. Female cats should be spayed before their first heat cycle. Female cats are kept overnight following surgery. An unspayed female cat is at a higher risk for uterine infections and mammary tumors.
Neutering for males referred to as castration, is the removal of the testicles. It involves a general anesthetic. Male cats are generally discharged from the hospital towards the end of their surgical day. Neutering your male kitten decreases their desire to spray and mark territory as well decreases the risk of developing prostate infections and cancer.
A neutered cat:
- Is less concerned with marking their territory with urine (both indoors and outdoors)
- Has less desire to run away or roam in search of a mate
- Makes a calmer and gentler pet
- Avoid certain health risks – such as pyometra (uterine infection) a life-threatening infection in female mammals.
Explanation of vaccinations required for felines
Feline Rhinotracheitis and Calicivirus – are 2 of several highly contagious viral upper respiratory diseases. These diseases are sometimes fatal and appear with almost flu-like symptoms in cats.
Panleukopenia – sometimes called feline distemper is a potentially fatal disease. It is a highly contagious viral disease that can be spread through the air, contact with infected animals and even contact with places where infected animals have been
Feline Leukemia Virus – is the leading cause of death from infectious agents in cats. It is caused by a virus which inhibits the immune system, and results in various types of cancer and other chronic diseases. The virus is present in saliva, urine, and other body fluids, and it’s typically passed from cat to cat by direct contact, including licking, biting, and sneezing.
Rabies – This is an infection of the central nervous system that results in paralysis and death. Rabies is always fatal. It is usually transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. Rabies is a serious public health threat, so it is essential to vaccinate your cat. It is also required for International travel including travel to the U.S.
Depending on where you are traveling with your pet, they may require other vaccines including but not limited to Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Bordetella. If you are traveling with your pet please ask our Health Care Team what other health risks your pet may need to be protected against.
Training tips
Contrary to popular belief it is possible to train your cat to do several tricks, and walk on a leash, it may not be easy but it is possible. Training for your kitten should start as soon as you get them home. Training is a lifetime process, not a quick fix.Start with name recognition exercises i.e. calling his/her name and rewarding when they respond to it.
House training is very important; this starts with consistency and supervision. House training for a cat begins with choosing an appropriate litter box for your new family member. The litter box should be big enough for the size of your cat and deep enough so that your cat will not spread litter around when they scratch it. There are a variety of litter choices, what you choose depends on your house and your cat. Remember to keep the litter box clean because your kitten will avoid a messy, smelly litter box. If possible it is best to scoop out the litter box at least once daily, more if you have several cats. Empty and wash out the litter pan weekly with soap and water. It is best not to use strong disinfectants (containing ammonia); they are not necessary and may offend your cat’s sensitive nose. Use a mild disinfectant such as diluted bleach and water on the litter box about once a month, putting the litter box outside to dry, if possible. Of course when handling any waste material wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
After your kitten has eaten take and place them in the litter box. Always reward with calm praise or a small kibble or treat and tell them good kitty. Other times your kitten may need to eliminate are when they wake in the mornings’ after napping, after playing, after having a drink, and just before bedtime. Realize accidents will happen and you will need patience. But with calm dedication you will succeed in house training.
Another common issue with kittens is their desire to bite and nip. Recognize that cats will nip at your hand during play, as they do not differentiate it from any of their other toys. As an owner you need to do teach your kitten that aggressive play is not acceptable. To prevent aggressive play push your hand towards your kitten, pulling away will make your kitten want to hold on tighter. You can also use a “NO” command if they continue to nip at you or become more aggressive.
Another common problem with cats is scratching. Cats use scratching as exercise, to clean away dead skin from their nails and to mark their territory, both visually and with their scent. The biggest problem with scratching is when your kitten chooses to scratch inappropriate items. By providing a scratching post and redirecting any inappropriate scratching towards it, you will teach your kitten that this is their property and save your furniture. To encourage use of the scratching post you can spray or rub honeysuckle or cat nip on it to make it more enticing to your cat.
If you are interested in Cat agility we recommend checking out the following webiste for International Cat Agility, as it gives great tips on how to get started in the sport. http://www.catagility.com
For more help with training please call us, we will be glad to help you.