Kitten Health Care
So you've welcomed a new kitten into your home! This is a very exciting time for everyone in your family, including your kitten! One of the first important steps that you can take to successfully integrate your new kitty into your lives is to visit your veterinarian.
When you get your kitty, she will probably be about 8 weeks old and will need her first round of vaccinations. Vaccinations are very important at this time because most kittens have just been weaned off of their mother's milk. While kittens are nursing they are getting protective antibodies from the mother's milk. However, right after weaning this antibody protection begins to fade and the kitty is still too young to provide her own immune response. Young kittens are susceptible to numerous deadly viruses, such as panleukopenia, calicivirus and herpesvirus. Vaccines are necessary to protect your kitty during this time of vulnerability.
At 8 weeks of age, your kitty will receive the combination vaccine FVRCP. This vaccine protects against the diseases feline panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, and calicivirus. Booster shots are required for this vaccine. Usually your veterinarian will ask you to return every 3-4 weeks until the kitten is 16-18 weeks old. Rabies vaccine is required by law in most parts of the country, and will be given at 12 weeks and 12 months. These vaccines should also be given every few years to be sure that the proper level of immunity is maintained. Discuss the vaccination schedule with your veterinarian. In the case of the rabies vaccine, it must be given every 1-3 years to comply with state and local laws. There are other optional vaccines that your cat may receive, such as against feline leukemia virus. This vaccine can only be given to cats who test negative for the virus. There is also a vaccine available for feline infectious peritonitis, although its effectiveness has not been proven. Usually these vaccines are given to cats who will have extensive contact with other cats, such as in a multicat household or an outdoor cat. Your veterinarian will recommend a regular vaccination schedule for you if these vaccines are necessary.
During your first visit, your veterinarian will examine your new kitty for any obvious hereditary diseases or signs of illness. If you choose to use monthly flea and heartworm preventatives, these can usually be started at this time. These preventatives are very effective and are highly recommended to maintain the optimal health of your kitten. Deworming is also important and is performed at the first visit. Many kittens are infected with hookworms and roundworms, and deworming will take care of this problem.
After the initial round of veterinary visits, it is important to maintain a schedule of yearly health exams. This way, your veterinarian will be able to keep your cat healthy and happy for many years to come. With the proper preventative care and attention your friend can easily live into her teens or twenties!