New Kitten Checklist

Have you adopted a new kitten recently, or are you planning to bring one home soon? Either way, congratulations! This is such a special time, and you will want to be prepared for your snuggly new addition.

While we know you’ll be busy giving your new kitten plenty of cuddle time, it’s also important to begin maintaining your kitten’s health. To get started, you’ll need to schedule your new furry friend’s first veterinary visit. Depending on your new kitten’s age and potential lifestyle, there are a few different tests and vaccines you can expect at this first appointment. Keep reading to learn more.

Your Kitten’s First Veterinary Visit

At your kitten’s first appointment, the veterinarian will do a thorough exam. This exam is necessary in order to get in front of any early physical problems, such as a poor gait or skin problems. The earlier problems are detected, the quicker they can be addressed and treated before they become larger.

Next, your veterinarian will check for a number of different diseases and conditions by running some tests and doing blood work.  Below are a few of the tests your vet may conduct:

• Fecal exam to check for intestinal parasites, such as tapeworms, roundworms, whipworms,  and hookworms. If detected, treatment for parasites is very effective.
• Tests to help evaluate internal organ status
• A complete blood count (CBC) to screen your pet for infection, inflammation, or anemia and other blood-related conditions
• Screening for Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), especially if your vets believes your kitten may have been exposed. FIV can be transmitted by a bite or scratch from an infected cat, and FeLV can be transmitted by sharing food and water bowls or even a litter box with an infected cat. These diseases weaken the cat’s immune system. 

Hopefully your kitten is healthy and growing.  However, your vet will give you a customized treatment plan for any conditions or problems found. Additionally, he or she will get you started with a couple of preventive measures:

• Parasite control (through the use of prescription medication) to eradicate intestinal parasites and prevent heartworm
• Medicine to prevent fleas and ticks

Vaccines

Vaccination recommendations depend on a few factors, including your kitten’s age. Overall, all kittens and cats should get the following core vaccines:

• Core vaccine that includes feline herpes virus, feline calcivirus, and feline panleukopenia
• A rabies vaccine, which is required by the State of Ohio
• FeLV and FIV vaccines, according to your veterinarian’s recommendations

There are several other vaccines that your vet may advise your cat to get. Some vaccines require boosters too, from once every few weeks for kittens to annually or every few years. Your vet will go over the vaccine schedule with you. We understand that vaccines can be intimidating, but they are very important to preventing illness and keeping your kitten healthy. 

Any Questions?

There will be a variety of other topics discussed at your kitten’s first veterinary visit, such as the process and benefits of spaying and neutering, nutrition, dental health, litter box training, and socializing. Your vet will go over all of these items along with a schedule of well visits to make sure your kitten maintains proper health. And of course, your vet is there to answer any questions or concerns you may have! 

Give Muirfield Animal Hospital a call today to schedule your kitten’s first visit or visit our website for more information at muirfieldanimalhospital.com.