Kitten Care

VACCINATION

We routinely vaccinate with F3 vaccine against Herpesvirus and Calicivirus (Cat Flu) and Feline Enteritis.
We also recommend FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) vaccination for kittens and cats that are likely to be spending time outside and are at risk of fighting.
Feline Leukaemia Virus vaccination is recommend if there will be long term-intimate contact with lots of other cats eg. cattery situation, or in outside cats prone to fighting.

1st F3 Vaccination at 6-8 weeks of age
2nd F3 Vaccination at 10-12 weeks of age (+/- Leukaemia/FIV)
3rd F3 Vaccination at 14-16 weeks of age (+/- Leukaemia/FIV)

A YEARLY BOOSTER is required to maintain immunity.

HEARTWORM
The incidence of heartworm in cats has recently found to be about 5-10% of the incidence in dogs.  Diagnosis is complicated and there is no treatment possible for cats.  Clinical signs vary from bronchitis-like symptoms to sudden death.  Prevention of this potentially fatal, mosquito-borne disease is easy.
‘REVOLUTION’ OR  ‘ADVOCATE’ - a spot of fluid applied to the back of the neck once a month - covers heartworm, fleas, ear mites and round and hookworms

INTESTINAL WORMING
What should your kitten be wormed against?
Roundworm, Hookworm, Tapeworm.  All are common intestinal worms.
Spirometra – a tapeworm that we see in cats who hunt lizards, frogs and insects.  It may cause vomiting, weight loss and ill thrift – we need to use four times the usual tapeworm dose for this one – talk to a health care team member if you suspect any of these signs.
Worm every 2 weeks from 2 to 12 weeks of age, then once a month up to 6 months of age, then every three months for life.
We recommend using REVOLUTION and then using a tapewormer once or twice a year – this can coincide with the annual vaccination. If your cat is not going to be on Revolution, then we recommend DRONTAL CAT ALLWORMER

FLEAS
1. ‘REVOLUTION’ - spot on application once a month, also covers heartworm and intestinal worms.
2. ‘FRONTLINE TOP SPOT’ – spot on application once each month, safe from 3 months of age.
3. ‘ADVANTAGE’ – spot on application once every month
4. ‘ADVOCATE’ - spot on application once a month, also covers heartworm and intestinal worms.
5. ‘PROGRAM INJECTABLE’ – injection given by vet once every six months, stops fleas from breeding.
Remember – all animals in the household must be treated for control to be effective!! 
(All dogs and all cats!)

TICKS
Paralysis ticks can be life threatening.. SIGNS of tick paralysis include wobbly back legs, change in voice, coughing, vomiting, depression or collapse.  There are no registered products available for protection in cats so daily tick searching is essential over summer.   
Seek veterinary attention immediately if you suspect your cat has a tick!!

DESEXING
We recommend this be done between 4 and 6 months of age.  Cats can reach puberty as early as four months and are highly fertile!  De-sexing will help control problems such as fighting, spraying, roaming and unwanted litters. De-sexing before puberty will also reduce the chance of mammary cancer later in life by about 98%.
There is no advantage for your cat to have a season or a litter first before de-sexing.

FEEDING
The type, quantity and frequency of food will vary greatly with the age and activity level of your cat.  Free access to food all the time can lead to fussy or overweight cats.  Commercial kitten foods are very balanced diets for your pet.  Chewing raw chicken-wings helps to clean the teeth and prevent gum and tooth disease, and it is important to get your kitten used to chewing bones while young.
We recommend premium quality foods such as Iams, Eukanuba or Hills.

TRAINING
Train from an early age to use litter trays, come when called and use a scratching post instead of your furniture.  You should approach training a step at a time, continually rewarding desired actions and giving no encouragement to bad behaviour.
Try to keep your kitten inside until at least 4-5 months of age – this will make enforcing your cat curfew of 5pm to 8am easier.  It will also greatly reduce the likelihood that your cat will become a highly effective killer of your local wildlife – this change in early learning habits can be crucial in producing a beloved family member who has minimum impact on your environment. It also means that your favourite feline will be far safer from both cars and cat fights. Keeping your cat only indoors is an option that is often the best solution for owner, pet and the environment.

IDENTIFICATION
If cats are not confined, they are likely to roam and may be lost or impounded.  If your cat has identification, its chances of being reunited with your family are much higher.  A collar and tag are very important but may be lost – a microchip is there for life!

GROOMING You should supplement your kitten’s hygiene with regular grooming sessions to keep it free of loose hair and tangles – good therapy for kitten and owner alike!  A long-haired kitten needs more frequent attention.  Regular grooming also helps to reduce problems with fur-balls.

FURTHER INFORMATION
We have numerous free information sheets available discussing cat and kitten care in more detail. Our staff are also more than happy to discuss any issues or worries you may have about your new pet

IF YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEMS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT YOU NEW KITTEN, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO GIVE US A CALL.