What we recommend for your Kitten
For the first year: Kittens and Juniors
Preventive care or healthy pet exams begin between 6 and 10 weeks of age with their first physical exam during which the first of a series of vaccines are administered. FVRCP stands for Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis Calcivirus Panleukopenia, and these diseases are commonly called feline distemper. These diseases are highly contagious and very dangerous for your kitten. We also recommend a rabies vaccine when your kitten reaches the appropriate age. At each appointment, our doctors will perform a physical exam to be certain your kitten is thriving during the most important months of his or her growth and development. We will also discuss behavior and nutrition because we want to help you establish healthy patterns for your babies that will lead to a long and happy life.
We also recommend checking a fecal sample for intestinal parasites as these parasites can inhibit your kitten’s ability to grow and thrive. Some of these parasites are also transmissible to humans and may cause serious health threats to you and your family. Examples of such parasites include roundworms, tapeworms, giardia, and coccidia. These are the four most common parasites that kittens are infected with, and they can be treated with medication. Should your kitten test positive for a parasite, your veterinarian will set up a medication and retesting schedule to check them until they are free of parasites.
We recommend that you spay or neuter your companion in the first year when the doctor recommends. We require that kittens are tested for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus (felv and fiv) before they are spayed or neutered as the presence of these diseases may cause life threatening complications for surgery. Most female kittens should be spayed around 6 months of age before their first heat cycle. This is also the age that male kittens begin to show maturity, and may begin “marking” their territory. A male cat’s urine may begin to smell differently (Tom cat smell), and he may begin to want to wander outside to find a mate. The technical term for a spay is Ovariohysterectomy, and this is a surgery done under general anesthesia. The female reproductive organs are surgically removed. The term for a male is Castration, and the testicles are removed. Your cat is with us for the day, and you will be carefully instructed for follow up care at the time of discharge.
Young adults and Mature Cats:
We recommend annual wellness exams with a vaccination schedule appropriate for your companion that protects their health. We also recommend annual internal parasite exams to make sure your cat stays healthy and happy. We recommend monthly parasite protection to control common parasites, fleas, and ticks. During the annual exam, our veterinarian will want to discuss what you see at home with your cat to make sure that we are catching any potential concerns early and to continue to lay the ground work for a long and health life. We are happy to address any behavioral concerns so please be sure to tell us if you are experiencing any problems. Our veterinarians may recommend an early detection laboratory panel while your cat is young to establish baseline values for your particular pet. There are many different breeds and mixes of cats, and some breeds may have specific concerns that our veterinarian would like to monitor. They will be happy to work with you on any breed specific concerns which may arise. Our focus is on early detection so we can prevent problems from getting worse. Your veterinarian will also closely monitor your cat's dental health as dental disease can be a significant risk factor for cats.
Senior and Geriatric Cats:
We recommend preventive care exams every six months with annual screening with a comprehensive laboratory panel that includes blood testing, urine testing, and fecal analysis. This testing allows us to compare potential changes from the baseline for your companion’s health, and to carefully check for underlying disease processes. These comprehensive tests help us check for problems with your pet’s thyroid, for early kidney or liver disease, for urinary problems, blood in the stool, and several other concerns. Early detection and treatment can extend your friend’s life, and timely treatment can be less costly. Nutritional intervention may be appropriate for your cat as they age. Please talk to your doctor about the plan that works best for you and your family.
Vaccinations:
Rabies vaccine
The Rabies vaccine is required by New York State Law, and it protects your pet from contracting this fatal disease. The Rabies vaccine also protects people from the risk of rabies being transmitted through pets. Rabies is a fatal disease that kills over 50,000 people in the world each year. The initial Rabies vaccine is effective for one year. Subsequent booster programs may include annual or triannual vaccines depending on your pet’s needs. Your doctor will recommend the best program to ensure the safety of your pet and your family.
FeLV vaccine
The feline leukemia vaccine is strongly recommended for your cat. Infection with Feline Leukemia Virus(FeLV) can cause serious health complications for your pet ranging from cancerous conditions to secondary infections resulting from damage to their immune systems. The vaccine is initially given as two shots 3-4 weeks apart and then updated as your veterinarian recommends. Your veterinarian can develop a plan with you to address your pet’s individual needs.
FVRCP
This combination vaccine is sometimes called the feline distemper vaccine. The FVRCP vaccine protects cats against three very serious diseases. Feline viral rhinotracheitis is a virus that causes upper respiratory infections in cats. Symptoms include sneezing, nasal discharge, eye discharge, loss of appetite, coughing, and fever. Kittens and senior cats are at a higher risk for this disease, but effective treatment for any cat can be difficult. Feline calcivirus is also an upper respiratory infection. Like feline viral rhinotracheitis, it is highly contagious and can lead to chronic disease. Symptoms may include coughing, nasal discharge, blisters and ulcers in the mouth, pneumonia, and fever. Feline panleukopenia is sometimes called feline distemper. This virus is potentially fatal, and successful treatment can be difficult. Symptoms may include lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, fever, and death. Vaccinating your cats will protect them against these diseases and help them lead a higher quality life.
Preventive care or healthy pet exams begin between 6 and 10 weeks of age with their first physical exam during which the first of a series of vaccines are administered. FVRCP stands for Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis Calcivirus Panleukopenia, and these diseases are commonly called feline distemper. These diseases are highly contagious and very dangerous for your kitten. We also recommend a rabies vaccine when your kitten reaches the appropriate age. At each appointment, our doctors will perform a physical exam to be certain your kitten is thriving during the most important months of his or her growth and development. We will also discuss behavior and nutrition because we want to help you establish healthy patterns for your babies that will lead to a long and happy life.
We also recommend checking a fecal sample for intestinal parasites as these parasites can inhibit your kitten’s ability to grow and thrive. Some of these parasites are also transmissible to humans and may cause serious health threats to you and your family. Examples of such parasites include roundworms, tapeworms, giardia, and coccidia. These are the four most common parasites that kittens are infected with, and they can be treated with medication. Should your kitten test positive for a parasite, your veterinarian will set up a medication and retesting schedule to check them until they are free of parasites.
We recommend that you spay or neuter your companion in the first year when the doctor recommends. We require that kittens are tested for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus (felv and fiv) before they are spayed or neutered as the presence of these diseases may cause life threatening complications for surgery. Most female kittens should be spayed around 6 months of age before their first heat cycle. This is also the age that male kittens begin to show maturity, and may begin “marking” their territory. A male cat’s urine may begin to smell differently (Tom cat smell), and he may begin to want to wander outside to find a mate. The technical term for a spay is Ovariohysterectomy, and this is a surgery done under general anesthesia. The female reproductive organs are surgically removed. The term for a male is Castration, and the testicles are removed. Your cat is with us for the day, and you will be carefully instructed for follow up care at the time of discharge.
Young adults and Mature Cats:
We recommend annual wellness exams with a vaccination schedule appropriate for your companion that protects their health. We also recommend annual internal parasite exams to make sure your cat stays healthy and happy. We recommend monthly parasite protection to control common parasites, fleas, and ticks. During the annual exam, our veterinarian will want to discuss what you see at home with your cat to make sure that we are catching any potential concerns early and to continue to lay the ground work for a long and health life. We are happy to address any behavioral concerns so please be sure to tell us if you are experiencing any problems. Our veterinarians may recommend an early detection laboratory panel while your cat is young to establish baseline values for your particular pet. There are many different breeds and mixes of cats, and some breeds may have specific concerns that our veterinarian would like to monitor. They will be happy to work with you on any breed specific concerns which may arise. Our focus is on early detection so we can prevent problems from getting worse. Your veterinarian will also closely monitor your cat's dental health as dental disease can be a significant risk factor for cats.
Senior and Geriatric Cats:
We recommend preventive care exams every six months with annual screening with a comprehensive laboratory panel that includes blood testing, urine testing, and fecal analysis. This testing allows us to compare potential changes from the baseline for your companion’s health, and to carefully check for underlying disease processes. These comprehensive tests help us check for problems with your pet’s thyroid, for early kidney or liver disease, for urinary problems, blood in the stool, and several other concerns. Early detection and treatment can extend your friend’s life, and timely treatment can be less costly. Nutritional intervention may be appropriate for your cat as they age. Please talk to your doctor about the plan that works best for you and your family.
Vaccinations:
Rabies vaccine
The Rabies vaccine is required by New York State Law, and it protects your pet from contracting this fatal disease. The Rabies vaccine also protects people from the risk of rabies being transmitted through pets. Rabies is a fatal disease that kills over 50,000 people in the world each year. The initial Rabies vaccine is effective for one year. Subsequent booster programs may include annual or triannual vaccines depending on your pet’s needs. Your doctor will recommend the best program to ensure the safety of your pet and your family.
FeLV vaccine
The feline leukemia vaccine is strongly recommended for your cat. Infection with Feline Leukemia Virus(FeLV) can cause serious health complications for your pet ranging from cancerous conditions to secondary infections resulting from damage to their immune systems. The vaccine is initially given as two shots 3-4 weeks apart and then updated as your veterinarian recommends. Your veterinarian can develop a plan with you to address your pet’s individual needs.
FVRCP
This combination vaccine is sometimes called the feline distemper vaccine. The FVRCP vaccine protects cats against three very serious diseases. Feline viral rhinotracheitis is a virus that causes upper respiratory infections in cats. Symptoms include sneezing, nasal discharge, eye discharge, loss of appetite, coughing, and fever. Kittens and senior cats are at a higher risk for this disease, but effective treatment for any cat can be difficult. Feline calcivirus is also an upper respiratory infection. Like feline viral rhinotracheitis, it is highly contagious and can lead to chronic disease. Symptoms may include coughing, nasal discharge, blisters and ulcers in the mouth, pneumonia, and fever. Feline panleukopenia is sometimes called feline distemper. This virus is potentially fatal, and successful treatment can be difficult. Symptoms may include lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, fever, and death. Vaccinating your cats will protect them against these diseases and help them lead a higher quality life.
