Learn All the Important Info about a New Kitten

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Bought a New Kitten?

Some important things to know…

We recommend to have your new kitten recieve a full check over soon after purchase. Vaccination is highly recommended, the main diseases we protect against are cat flu, feline enteritis, feline calicivirus and should your cat be socialising with other cats FIV vaccination. Vaccinations usually start a eight weeks of age with the next vaccine being given 1 month later.

We want to ensure you and your kitten have a long and healthy life. Also, we aim to make a kitten’s first visit to Ourimbah Vet calm and as positive as possible. This will help set up future visits as much easier if your cat has an initial positive experience.

Here is some information of the core shots and inital health steps your new kitten should receive:

Common Kitten Vaccinations

Cat Flu

There are two main viruses we vaccinate against. One is a calicivirus, and the other a feline herpes virus. The calicivirus like the human flu virus exists in many different strains. Vaccination is against the mosty common strains, so while not fully protective it does greatly reduce the change of cat flu. The herpes virus has one strain, so vaccination against this offeres a more complete protection. Kittens initially get some immunity from their mothers. As they get older, this reduces so vaccination is important.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

FIV is an incurable viral infection that produces fatal illness in cats. First, it’s good to know there is no risk to humans, but for cats this is a serious disease that can be fatal and has no known cure.

Vaccinations are the best frontline defence. Kittens can catch this disease from their mothers and may be infected at time of vaccination. Vaccination does not harm an infected cat, but it does not cure either. We recommend that new kittens are tested on purchase.

Feline Panleucopaenia

Feline panleukopenia is a viral disease caused by the feline parvovirus. It is highly contagious though we see less these days with the introduction of vaccines. Kittens usually receive temporary immunity through the transfer of antibodies in the colostrum but after 8 weeks this proteciton can reduce. There is a low survival rate if contracted and vacciniation is the best prevention and defence for your cat.

Kitten Worming:

Kittens can become infected with tapeworms, roundworms, hookworm, lungworms and heartworms. Worms can pose a lot of danger to kittens and cats and it is important that they are eradicated before they cause irreparable harm. Roundworms are the most common and kittens can pick them up from the mother’s milk, while older cats can pick up an infestation from contact with infected faeces. Tapeworms are usually picked up from tapeworm fleas. Hookworms can be contracted from ingestion and skin contact. Lungworms are more uncommon and can be picked up from rodents and birds. Heartworms are extremely dangerous and can prove fatal. These worms are often contracted from mosquito bites. If you suspect a worm infestation at any point, take your cat to the vet for treatment. Regular treatment will work as a preventative, but missing doses can result in an infestation. Your vet will check blood and stool for the presence of worms and recommend a treatment to rid your pet of the parasites.

Our recommended worming protocol for cats is:

2 weeks from the age of 6 weeks to 3 months.
Monthly until they are 6 months old.
Older adopted kittens should be treated immediately with follow-up doses 2 weeks and 4 weeks later
Adult cats should be treated every 3 to 6 months for worms depending on their habits.

Your vet will take you through whats best for your cat during their inital or followup checkups.

Neutering Your Cat

NSW government legislation recommends desexing by 4 months of age. Spaying and castration are routine surgeries and done as day procedures. You will normally be asked to dro your cat off in the morning and they should be back home later that day.

Spaying your female cat stops those unwanted pregnancies and also stops them coming into season and the behviours like extrta vocalisation you can expect with that.Castrating male cats reduces roaming, desire to fight other cats and the smell of tom cat urine.

Signs Your Cat May Be In Heat

Vocalizing
Urine spraying
Attention-seeking behavior
Raising hind end into the air
Begging to go outside

Some Common Cat Myths!

All cats hate water: While many cats dislike water, this is not true for all. And if your cat likes to get wet there is nothing wrong with that.
Cats are nocturnal: Cats are instinctively crepuscular. This means they are most active at dawn and dusk. By playing with a cat during the day you can reduce this tendency.
You should give your cat milk: Milk can upset a cat’s stomach if they are not used to it. Many cats become lactose intolerant as they are weaned from milk as kittens. If cats have been fed milk from kittens they usually retain the ability to digest it.

Cats always land on their feet: Cats do have a righting reflex that usually develops around 8 weeks of age. And while cats do have exceptional abilities to defy gravity we recommend that you don’t encourage this as we regularly see cats that have taken injuries from falls.
If you want an affectionate pet get a dog: Cats are more independent than dogs but they absolutely show affection to their family and enjoy receiving attention.
Pregnant women shouldn’t be around cats: Cat feces can carry a parasite called toxoplasmosis. This can cause miscarriage or make you ill. If you have a cat while pregnant ask someone else to deal with the litter tray. You can also ask your vet to test for toxoplasmosis. And of course, speak with your GP about your cat and what they recommend.