Vaccines

Core Vaccines  (recommended for all cats)

Rabies
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis
Calicivirus
Panleukopenia
Pneumonitis

Non-Core Vaccines  (based on risk factors)

Feline Leukemia
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus
Feline Infectious Peritonitis
Feline Bordetella
Giardia
Ringworm

     More info about cat vaccines
     Making a pet carrier a positive experience for you kitty – video

Recommended Tests

·         A fecal examination for parasites should be done twice in kittens (three to six weeks apart), once yearly for indoor adults, and twice yearly for cats who are active outdoors.
·         A test for Feline Leukemia (FeLV) should be done on initial exam, before starting the Feline leukemia vaccines, and 90 days after a cat bite injury.
·         A test for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV, Feline AIDS) should be done on initial exam and 90 days after a cat bite injury.
·         A pre-anesthesia blood profile should be done before each anesthetic procedure to evaluate liver and kidney parameters, blood sugar and protein levels, red blood cell levels and the blood clotting time.

Exams

·         A complete physical exam will be performed with each visit for vaccines or illness.

·         Additional exams are recommended for optimal health care and especially for senior pets.  Please see the Senior At Seven Wellness Program

Spay / Neuter / Declaw

·         Spaying should be done at six months of age before her first heat period.

·         Neutering is recommended at six months of age.

·         Please refer to the Spay & Castration Facts That You Should Know sheet for more information on spaying and neutering.

·         Declawing is an elective procedure.  Alternatives to declawing include scratching posts, nail trims, and/or rubber caps (SoftPaws®). Declawing can be done at three months of age on kittens weighing at least three pounds.

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Pet Identification

·         Any pet picked up by animal control that lacks identification is considered a stray animal and is subject to either adoption or euthanasia within a certain time limit.  You can identify your pet with a collar and tags, a microchip implant, or by a tattoo.

·         Tags – The easiest way to identify your pet is with a collar and custom tag bearing your contact information.  We have pamphlets available for ordering custom tags. After receiving a rabies inoculation your pet will be issued a rabies tag which will identify your pet, but only via our hospital medical records.  The finding party must contact us during regular hours to identify your pet through the rabies tag.

·         Microchip Implant – The AVID® FriendChip is implanted just in front of your pet’s shoulders at the base of the neck using a syringe and needle delivery system.  Microchips can be registered with PETtracTM, a national database with twenty-four hour, seven-day-a-week access.

·         Tattoo – Tattoos are typically located on the inside of the right thigh or the inside of the ear.  Any letter or number sequence can be registered with the National Dog Registry (NDR) – Yes, the dog registry will register cats. You can select your own non-duplicatable number or the NDR can issue you a four-digit NDRCN number.

Heartworm Preventive

·        Heartworm disease is uncommon in cats.  Cats, like humans, may be bitten by mosquitoes carrying heartworm disease, but rarely contract the disease.  Although uncommon, it is quite serious and products are available for heartworm prevention in outdoor cats.
·        Heartworm testing is not necessary prior to heartworm prevention use in cats.

Training and Behavior

·         Cat training should begin at an early age.  We have information on litterbox training and dealing with destructive scratching.

·         For help with serious behavior problems that extend beyond basic training, contact Dr. Wayne Hunthausen.

Life-Stage Nutrition

·         Feline Growth diets contain higher levels of nutrition than feline Adult diets and are designed for cats during their first year of life.
·         Feline Growth diets contain higher levels of nutrition than feline Adult diets and are designed for cats during their first year of life.
·         Less-Active diets are lower in calories than maintenance diets and are geared for adult pets with minor weight problems.
·         Senior diets have slightly fewer calories, less protein than maintenance diets and should be fed to cats over seven years of age.
·         There are many symptom-specific diets on the market custom blended for cats with specific problems such as allergies, urinary tract disease, hairballs, or sensitive stomachs.
·         Finally, there are prescription diets which are specifically designed for treatment of disease.  These products should only be used on the advise of a veterinarian as they may have deleterious effects if fed inappropriately.