Kitten and Cat Care
Kittens
Starting out? – check out our ‘KITTEN PACK’ in which we have put together what we feel are the key factors to give your pet the best possible start to life.
INCLUDED ARE:-
- Full health check including advice regarding feeding, parasite control and neutering.
- Full course of vaccinations (two injections) against all the major infectious diseases that are found in the UK and that can be vaccinated against (Cat Flu viruses, Feline Enteritis (Panleucopaenia) and Feline Leukeaemia Virus).
- Identichipping - this includes placement and registration for life.
- 3 months flea treatment and worming treatment followed by selection of the most suitable ongoing parasite control regime for your kitten.
- A starter pack with information regarding dental care, kitten socialising, vouchers for discount on Hills kitten food and free toy.
- Free health check when your pet is 6 months old.
** By purchasing the Kitten Pack you will receive a discounted price for these key items to provide the best start for your Kitten**
Additional factors to consider
1. We recommend that you consider Pet Insurance for your pet and to research carefully to ensure you are getting the best cover for you pet.
2. Neutering. Speak to one of our Vets to discuss the benefits of having your pet neutered and help you to make the right decision for you and your pet.
3. Ongoing preventative care – see our affordable Pet Healthcare Plan
4. Life- stage diets – formulated for optimal growth in kittens, active adulthood and maintaining good health into senior years.
Cats & Kittens
1. Annual vaccination and health check.
2. Appropriate preventative parasite control to suit your pets lifestyle.
3. Annual dental and weight check-ups with either a Vet or Nurse.
SEE OUR PET HEALTHCARE PLAN WHICH WILL PROVIDE ALL THE ABOVE FOR AFFORDABLE MONTHLY PAYMENTS
VACCINATION
Cats require boosters every year to maintain immunity against all the major infectious diseases that are found in the UK and that can be vaccinated against (Cat Flu viruses, Feline Enteritis (Panleucopaenia) and Feline Leukeaemia Virus)
At the time of their yearly vaccination, we will give your cat a health check. Regular checks will pick up any problems early, when they can be more easily treated.
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Cat Flu
This is a syndrome with symptoms similar to human flu (fever, nasal discharge, conjunctivitis, ulcers in the mouth). In young kittens it can be fatal as a result of dehydration and secondary infection. Cat flu is caused by one (or more) of the following: FELINE HERPESVIRUS FELINE CALICI VIRUS CHLAMYDOPHILUS MYCOPLASMA Once infected with Feline Herpesvirus or Feline Calicivirus, many cats become latently infected. This means that they may not show any signs, but when stressed, for example, may start to show symptoms of cat flu again. Cats are infected by contact with an infected cat. Kittens are often infected by their mother the stress of pregnancy and giving birth causes her to shed virus.
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Feline Panleucopaenia Virus (Feline enteritis)
Infection with this virus results in a severe hemorrhagic diarrhoea. There is also a dramatic fall in the white blood cell count which suppresses the cat s immune response.
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Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV )
Infection with FeLV can result in a complex pattern of disease. It can be associated with anaemia , immunosuppression and tumour formation (especially Lymphoma). It is generally spread by fighting between cats. Please note there are currently no vaccines available to protect against Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) which is usually spread by fighting between cats. Cats may also be infected by mutual grooming with infected cats. Infection may also be transmitted during mating. We are able to test cats in-house for both FeLV and FIV. Neutering significantly reduces the likelihood of a cat contracting FIV.
PARASITE CONTROL
Internal Parasites – Worms
There are three main types of worm that we are concerned about in practice:-
Roundworms ( Toxocara ansd Toxascaris )
Cats are infected by ingesting worm eggs that have been passed by another cat. Kittens may be infected via their mother s milk. Cat roundworms are an uncommon cause of human illness but nevertheless represent a human health risk. We recommend the MONTHLY application of Advocate Spot-on to control roundworms. We may also use Milbemax or Panacur oral wormers in specific cases.
Tapeworms
Tapeworms have an intermediate host. The cat becomes infected by eating (part of) the intermediate host, such as a mouse or rabbit etc. In fact the commonest cat tapeworm has the flea as an intermediate host the cat becomes infected by swallowing a flea when grooming itself. To control tapeworms you must worm the cat AND eliminate (or control exposure to) the intermediate host. We recommend that cats are treated with Droncit tablets (or Milbemax tablets), at least every 6 months, to control tapeworms.For cats that will not tolerate tablets we have a spot-on product called Profender.
Lungworm
Cats become infected with feline lungworm (Aelurostsrongylus) after swallowing slugs or snails. They may also be infected by eating mice or frogs. Lungworm infection in cats can result in coughing or difficulty breathing. We recommend the MONTHLY application of Advocate Spot-on.
External Parasites
Fleas
Fleas are a very common problem & can cause irritation, allergy, anaemia & transmit tapeworms. They will also bite Humans. Fleas can be easily treated & prevented by using the recommended products.
Where a flea infestation is established, the flea population is largely made up of eggs, larvae and pupae, which are microscopic and live off the pet (for example in the carpet ). Therefore treating the pet will NOT deal with these juvenile stages.
Fleas
Feline mange (Notoedres) is relatively uncommon However, we do regularly see ear mites (Otodectes), especially in kittens. Infestation causes severe irritation in the ears usually noticed as head shaking and the development of a dark waxy discharge in the ears
Ticks
We don t see large numbers of ticks in this area . Tick infestation also tends to be seasonal peaking in late Spring/early Summer and again in Autumn. Even when we do find them on a pet they are usually present in low numbers. For this reason Tick control is not part of our core parasite control.
We have a specific prevention package designed for pets travelling abroad. We have a number of products that can be used for treating/preventing tick infestation in cats.
NEUTERING ( Females - Spaying , Males - Castration )
We recommend that all cats are neutered unless they are part of a breeding programme.
The ideal time to neuter female cats is at 6 months of age, prior to their first season. Female cats will often have their first season from 7 months of age and can become pregnant at this stage. Female cats will come into season every 3 weeks (Calling) until they get pregnant.
For male cats we also recommend neutering at 6 months of age. Un-neutered male cats (Toms) have very strong smelling urine which many owners find unpleasant. They are also at higher risk of contracting FeLV and FIV than neutered male cats.
IDENTICHIP
We recommend that all cats are Identichipped. Additionally from June 2024 microchipping of cat will be mandatory in the UK.
Identichipping is implanting an identitichip beneath the skin with a unique code to identify your cat. The details can be cross- referenced with a national database to allow you to be re- united with your dog if it is lost.
We usually implant a microchip at the second kitten check. Some owners request that we wait until the kitten is anaesthetised for neutering to implant the chip.The chip itself is about the size of a grain of rice and is implanted through a needle as an injection in the scruff of the neck. The procedure takes a few seconds and the mild discomfort of the injection is quickly forgotten. The chip carries a number that is specific to your pet. Your contact details are then entered on a National database and linked to the chip number. The chip itself does not hold any of your details (otherwise we would need to remove it surgically each time you changed your mobile phone number !!), however it is important that the information on the database is updated if you do change any of your contact information.
Being able to identify a cat and locate its owner quickly is vital for example when an unknown cat is brought into the surgery by a member of the public after a Road Accident
INSURANCE
We recommend that you consider pet insurance cover.
As veterinary medicine progresses we can give patients a good quality of life and treat a range of injuries and diseases that were previously untreatable. However, some conditions do require prolonged hospitalisation and treatment and at such times pet insurance removes the financial worry from an already often stressful situation.
FEEDING
We stock a large range of life-stage diets from premium companies such as Hill s which are formulated for optimal growth in kittens, adulthood and maintaining good health into senior years. Our nurses have received training to ensure that they can help you choose the optimum diet for each stage of your pet s life.
DENTAL CARE
Regular home care reduces the frequency of essential treatment at the surgery under anaesthetic. One of our nurses runs free dental clinics for advice and assessment of your pet s dental health.