So you have just brought home a new little furry friend. Congratulations! Make sure one of the first things you do is schedule your kitten's your first veterinary appointment, as well as routine and dental exams going forward. To help you prepare, our Fairhaven vets discuss what to expect at your kitten's first appointment.
Bringing a New Kitten Home
When you bring a kitten home, you must get it examined by a veterinarian. This is important not just for the health of your kitten, but also to guarantee that it does not share any communicable infections. If the kitten exhibits any signs of illness, such as watery eyes, sneezing, trouble breathing, or inability to eat, it should be seen as soon as possible.
Do I need to bring anything?
Some things are nice to have ready before the initial checkup, whether you go immediately to the doctor after picking up your new kitten or after a day or two at home. These include:
- Any information and paperwork provided by the shelter or breeder
- Notes of any concerns you have about the kitten
- Stool sample
- Cat carrier
- Cat Treats
If you're taking your kitten to the vet for the first time, make sure to bring any adoption documentation with you. Your veterinarian should also be aware of all treatments and immunizations that have already been administered to the kitten. If it is not possible, write down what you were told at the adoption so you don't forget.
What happens during the physical exam?
The veterinarian will ask you about your kitten's history, and do a routine physical examination. They will also search for parasites like fleas and mites, and will examine your kitten's eyes, ears, lips, skin, coat, and entire body. This will include palpating the abdomen to feel the organs, and using a stethoscope to listen to the heart and lungs.
A stool sample may also be taken to see whether your kitty has any underlying health issues.
For optimal health, weaning time, and socialization, kittens should be adopted at the age of 8 to 10 weeks. If your kitten is young, especially if it is 6 weeks or under, the vet will need to examine the kitten's nutrition and hydration status and offer any necessary supplementation.
Will my kitten need any lab tests?
Yes, your kitten will likely need both a fecal exam and a blood test.
Fecal Exam: You will most likely be asked to bring a fecal sample from your kitten to your veterinarian for testing for parasites like intestinal worms. Because not all intestinal parasites show up on fecal tests, and a substantial percentage of kittens have them, your vet may give your kitten a deworming medicine at each appointment. Many parasites can be detrimental to a kitten, and can even be transmitted to humans.
Blood Test: The American Association of Feline Practitioners recommends that all newly adopted cats, regardless of age, be tested for FeLV and FIV. If your kitten is less than nine weeks old, your veterinarian may advise you to delay testing until it is at least nine weeks. If you have other cats in the house with your kitten, keep them separated until they have tested negative in case your new kitten has a transmissible disease.
How much will the first vet visit cost?
The first vet visit, as well as subsequent routine exams, can vary in cost depending on your animal, and the clinic. For an accurate estimate of cost, please contact your veterinarian directly.
What questions should I ask at my kitten's first vet visit?
Here is a list of questions you can ask your vet during the first visit. Of course, there are a myriad of others you can ask, and we encourage you to do so, but these should start you on the road to responsible cat ownership:
- Is my cat a healthy weight?
- Are they eating the right food and getting proper nutrition?
- Are they sleeping too much or too little?
- What resources are available at this vet clinic? (ex. X-rays, labs, etc.)
- Are there any common parasites or pests in the area? How can I prevent them?
- Is cat insurance worth it and if so, who do you recommend?
- Do you have any grooming recommendations for my cat?
- Are there any vaccinations my cat needs?
- Where are the nearby emergency services for off-hours or holidays?
- What do you recommend for flea and tick prevention?
- How is my cat’s dental health?
- Any cat food label questions such as how to read them, what to look for, etc.
How often should a kitten see a vet?
If your kitty is less than a year old, then we suggest bringing them to the vet once monthly starting when they are approximately 8 weeks old. If you have a newborn kitten, you may need to bring them even more often to make sure they are growing at the proper rate.
Kittens require multiple rounds of vaccinations throughout their first year to help protect them from common infectious diseases. Kittens should receive the Feline Leukemia vaccine as well as the FVRCP vaccine, which protects your feline friend from three highly contagious and potentially fatal feline diseases: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FHV-1), Feline Calicivirus (FCV), and Feline Panleukopenia (FPL).
Your kitten will be provided with these vaccines over the course of approximately 16 weeks, which will go a long way in helping to keep them healthy their whole life.
The exact timing of your kitten's vaccinations will vary depending on your location and the overall health of your furry friend.
Our vets recommend having your kitten spayed or neutered when they are between five to six months in order to prevent a host of diseases and undesirable behaviors as well as unwanted litters of kittens.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.