cute-grey-kitten

Health Care Information for Cats

Vaccinations

  • 1st Kitten Vaccination: 6-8 weeks
  • 2nd Kitten Vaccination: 12 weeks
  • 3rd Kitten Vaccination: 16 weeks

The main infectious diseases vaccinated against in Australia are:

Feline Panleukopenia

This is a viral infection that affects cats. This can be spread by infected cat’s bodily fluids, faeces or fleas. It can also be contracted through contact with an infected cats belongs i.e. bedding, bowls etc. The symptoms include bloody diarrhoea, dehydration, anaemia, malnutrition and often death.

Feline Herpes virus
This is an upper respiratory infection of cats. It can be transmitted through saliva, nasal & ocular discharge. The symptoms include coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, conjunctivitis, loss of appetite & often fever.

Feline Calicivirus
This virus can be contracted through infected saliva, urine & faeces. It is also transmitted through the air or infected cats belongings i.e. bedding, food bowls etc. The symptoms include nasal discharge, sneezing, conjunctivitis, fever and mouth ulcers.

Feline Chlamydia
The symptoms include conjunctivitis & sometimes mild upper respiratory symptoms such as low grade fever, nasal discharge & sneezing may also be present. This infection is spread through contact with saliva, nasal discharge & infected bedding, food bowls & litter trays.

The best way to protection your Cat is to have them fully vaccinated. Prevention is the best Protection!

Intestinal worm prevention

  • Kittens need to be wormed from 2 weeks of age:
  • Every 2 weeks until 3 months
  • Every month until 6 months of age
  • Every 3 months for life

Heartworm prevention

Heartworm infection in cats is less prevalent than in dogs. However there are monthly applications or tablets available to protect your cat from heartworm infection. Discuss your cats risk with our Veterinarian.

Microchipping

Microchipping is compulsory in NSW & must be done by 6 months of age. If you are selling or giving away a puppy or kitten, they must legally be microchipped when they change hands.  This is a permanent method of identification which helps to relocate pet with owner!

Desexing

This is an important part of being a responsible pet owner. There are far too many cats & dogs needing good homes. You should make sure you are not contributing to the countless number of stray animals in shelters around the country.

Males – Desexing in males is called Castration. Both of the Testicles are removed during castration.

Advantages:

  • Decreases the risk of prostate or testicular cancers
  • Decreases the chance of your dog becoming aggressive
  • They are less likely to roam the streets searching for bitches in season
  • Decreases territorial behaviours including urine marking

Females – This is called a Spey. The ovaries and uterus are removed during this procedure.

Advantages:

  • Decreases the risk of uterine or mammary cancers
  • Removes the risk of pyometra (pus in the uterus). This can make a dog very ill & can quickly become life threatening.
  • Removes the risk of any unwanted seasons or resulting litters

Overall desexing has many health & behavioural benefits for your pet. It also helps to control the stray animal population.

Flea/Tick Prevention

Flea prevention from a young age is very important. A few fleas can multiply into hundreds in a few weeks.  Fleas also carry tapeworm eggs, so it is important to give regular worming and flea treatments.
Tick Paralysis prevention is extremely important for your cat. Ticks are a parasite which inject a neurotoxin into their host. The symptoms include: coughing, vomiting, gagging, salivation, paralysis & often death. It is crucial if you notice any of the above symptoms or you suspect tick paralysis to contact our Veterinarians straight away.

Please ask our staff about flea & tick prevention that suits your pet’s needs!

Nutrition

Kittens need a balanced diet to ensure they grow into a healthy adult.  A combined diet of a good quality dry & wet kitten food is recommended. This will give your kitten all the nutrients it needs. Avoid giving milk to kittens as this can cause diarrhoea (cats are lactose intolerant).

Socialising your kitten

Socialising your kitten is a very important part of their development. They need to become comfortable with people, other kittens & their environment. This includes socialising them to cat carriers, car travel, vacuum cleaners, grooming equipment etc.

A Kittens socialisation period is between 3-9 weeks of age. During this time, any positive encounters will have a strong impact on their future behaviour.

It is very important for your kitten to become social with other kittens & cats. However, it is just as important for it have regular handling & human contact. This is how your kitten learns acceptable behaviours around you.