So you got a kitten - now what?

Kittens are wonderful pets. They're cute, curious, and will melt your heart with mews and nuzzles.

You've brought your adorable little ball of fur home, picked up kitten food, a litter box, and tiny little mouse toys.

The next step? A visit to the vet, of course! Here's what you can expect:

• Physical Exam: Our veterinarians will complete a nose-to-tail exam at each visit:
  • Eyes & Nose: Is there any discharge? Are the eyes clear?
  • Mouth: Are there ulcerations? Are there still baby (deciduous) teeth present?
  • Ears: Are the ears itchy? Is there any discharge that might indicate the presence of ear mites or infection?
  • Haircoat & Skin: Are there any signs of fleas or other external parasites?
  • Heart & Lungs: Are the lungs clear? Are there any murmurs or abnormal heart rhythms present?
  • Abdomen: Is the abdomen distended or painful?
  • Genitals: What is the sex of the kitten? Have both testicles in males descended by 6 months of age?

• ​Fecal Exam: Bring a fresh stool sample to your appointment (within 24 hours old). It's okay if there is litter on the sample. Many kittens have intestinal parasites, some of which are zoonotic (transmittable to people).

 

• Deworming: If parasites are detected in the fecal sample, the veterinarian will prescribe a dewormer to eliminate the worms.  Even if no parasite eggs are seen, the vet may administer a broad-spectrum deworming treatment because of the prevalence of roundworms in young animals. Unfortunately, there is no perfect dewormer that treats all types of intestinal parasites. This is why it is important to microscopically evaluate the stool sample!

 

• FeLV/FIV Testing: Using just a few drops of blood, we are able to run a 10-minute test during your appointment to determine if your kitten has been infected with Feline Leukemia or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (a.k.a. "Feline AIDS"). These diseases can be passed from mother to kitten during pregnancy.

 

• Vaccinations: Your kitten's vaccine schedule will depend on his/her age, when and if any previous vaccines were administered, and the environment. Please bring any previous vaccine history with you to your appointment.
  • Rabies (all cats): In accordance with PA state law, Rabies must be administered to all domestic animals within 4 weeks of their turning 12 weeks of age. Even indoor-only cats need Rabies vaccines - we want them to be protected if they escape the house - or if a bat makes its way into your home!
  • FVRCP (all cats): Commonly known as the "distemper vaccine," this is administered every 3 to 4 weeks until your kitten reaches 14 to 16 weeks of age. It is a combination vaccine that prevents feline rhinotracheitis, calici, and panleukopenia viruses.
  • FeLV (some cats): The Feline Leukemia vaccine is administered to at-risk cats over 8 weeks of age as a series of two injections, 3 to 4 weeks apart.

Common Questions

When do I schedule my kitten's first appointment?
If your kitten has not yet been examined by a veterinarian, schedule your appointment within a few days of bringing him/her home.
If you adopted your kitten from a shelter or rescue group that started his/her vaccines, check the records. In most cases, the next visit will be due 3 to 4 weeks from the last vaccination.

Should I separate my other cats from my kitten?
It is a good idea to keep your kitten in a separate room from your other cats until we determine that he/she is healthy. Our doctors and technicians will help guide you to introduce your kitten to the rest of your pets safely.

When will my kitten need to be spayed/neutered?
Our veterinarians recommend spaying and neutering kittens at around 6 months of age. We will perform a thorough pre-surgical exam and pre-anesthetic bloodwork within 30 days before surgery.

Looking forward...
Annual veterinary exams are important to keep your cat healthy and protected from disease. A thorough exam every year will help the veterinarian detect signs of illness early, when they are more easily managed and less costly to treat.

Even indoor cats need regular vaccinations - though their risk is less than that of cats that spend time outdoors, they can still be susceptible to these preventable diseases.

We're on a mission for quality, lifelong care to keep all of our feline patients as healthy as possible so that you can spend many wonderful years with your pets.

Have more questions? Our experienced staff is here to help! Call us at 724-933-7387 or email us. We're happy to guide you through this exciting time. After you schedule your appointment, you can fill out our online registration form to speed up check-in.

Congratulations! We can't wait to meet you and your new bundle of love!