Your Cat's Health Care Plan

At VCMC, your pet's health is always our first priority. Our health care plans are based on the most current recommendations from the American Animal Hospital Association and the American Association of Feline Practitioners. While the recommendations below are standardized, you and your veterinarian will work together to create the best care plan for your pet.

Kittens - Adults - Seniors


KITTENS UP TO 1 YEAR

  • EXAMINATIONS
    • It's amazing how quickly kittens grow and mature! We’ll assess your curtain climber before every vaccine to ensure that they are growing and developing normally. We’ll also discuss health, behavior and nutrition at every visit.
  • VACCINATIONS - Click here for an explanation of each vaccine.
    • FVRCP (Distemper) Vaccine
    • Rabies PureVax Vaccine
    • Feline Leukemia Vaccine
    • Bordetella Vaccine
  • PREVENTATIVE SCREENING - Click here for an explanation of the tests we offer.
    • Bi-annual Fecal Parasite Testing
    • Feline Leukemia/Feline AIDS/Feline Bartonella Testing
  • MONTHLY PREVENTATIVES - Click here for an explanation of monthly preventatives.
    • Year Round Heartworm Preventative
    • Year Round Flea and Tick Preventative
  • SPAYING AND NEUTERING
    • We strongly recommend that all pets are sterilized between 5 and 6 months old. Female kittens that are not spayed are at increased risk of breast cancer and infections of the uterus. Male kittens that are not neutered are more prone to roaming, aggression and urine marking in the house.

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AGES 1-6 YEARS

  • BI-ANNUAL EXAMINATIONS
    • Pets age a lot faster than humans do! In fact, averages state that cats age approximately 7 years for every 1 year a person ages. Examining our pets every 6 months is akin to us getting examined every 3.5 years! A lot of things can happen in that time, including changes in dental health and overall health status, weight and behavioral issues. We want to make sure we’re addressing those issues promptly. The earlier we intervene, the better our chances for success!
  • VACCINATIONS - Click here for an explanation of each vaccine.
    • FVRCP (Distemper) Vaccine
    • Rabies Purevax Vaccine
    • Feline Leukemia Vaccine
    • Bordetella Vaccine
  • PREVENTATIVE SCREENING - Click here for an explanation of the tests we offer.
    • Bi-annual Fecal Parasite Testing
    • Annual Junior Blood Screening
    • Feline Leukemia/Feline AIDS/Feline Bartonella Testing (for outside cats or newly adopted cats)
  • MONTHLY PREVENTATIVES - Click here for an explanation of monthly preventatives.
    • Year Round Heartworm Preventative
    • Year Round Flea and Tick Preventative


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AGES 7+

  • BI-ANNUAL EXAMINATIONS
    • As cats age, they become more prone to diabetes, kidney disease, thyroid conditions and cancer, all of which are best when diagnosed and treated early. We recommend a full physical evaluation of your pet every 6 months, so that we can address any changes in health as early as possible. Cats age much faster than the human members of their family. Some estimates state that for every 1 year of a cat’s life, they age 7 years. An exam every 6 months would be equivalent to us getting a check up only once every 3.5 years!!
  • VACCINATIONS - Click here for an explanation of each vaccine.
    • FVRCP (Distemper) Vaccine
    • Rabies Purevax Vaccine
    • Feline Leukemia Vaccine
    • Bordetella Vaccine
  • PREVENTATIVE SCREENING - Click here for an explanation of the tests we offer.
    • Bi-annual Fecal Parasite Testing
    • Annual Senior Blood Screening
    • Feline Leukemia/Feline AIDS/Feline Bartonella Testing (for outdoor cats and newly adopted cats)

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Our Guidelines Explained:

  • VACCINES:
    • FVRCPC: This is commonly referred to as “Feline Distemper” but is actually a combination vaccine covering Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (Herpesvirus), Calicivirus, Panleukopenia (Feline Parvovirus), and Chlamydia Psittiaci (chronic respiratory infection). This is considered a core vaccine and is recommended in all cats, regardless of lifestyle. Kittens in particular are very susceptible to these viruses and infection with them can lead to respiratory signs, diarrhea, dehydration and even death. The American Association of Feline Practitioners, of which VCMC is a member, indicates that after an initial vaccination series, followed by a booster 1 year later, this vaccine can now be given every 3 years. 
    • Rabies Purevax: This vaccine is one of our core vaccines and is legally required for your pet. This vaccine is recommended for all cats, regardless of lifestyle. Rabies is a serious, incurable and fatal disease that is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals. We recommend the 1 year Rabies Purevax line of vaccines. They are the safest option for vaccinating our cats. The older 3 year rabies vaccine products have occasionally been associated with aggressive vaccine site tumors.
    • Feline Leukemia: The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) now recommends that all cats get vaccinated as a kitten with this vaccine. This virus is shed in the saliva and nasal discharges of an infected cat. FeLV tends to become a persistent infection and depresses the immune system of cats. FeLV is an important cause of anemia in cats and can cause cancers of several types. FeLV is usually fatal. Studies have shown that 80-90% of FeLV-infected cats will die within three to four years of the initial diagnosis. As kittens are more susceptible to progressive FELV infection, and as the eventual environment into which a kitten will go can rarely be predicted with certainty, the AAFP recommends routine FeLV vaccination for all kittens up to and including 1 year of age and boosters yearly for cats that venture outdoors.
    • Bordetella: This intranasal vaccine is given annually to cats that board or groom. Infection with Bordetella causes upper respiratory signs, including sneezing and coughing.
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  • TESTS:
    • Bi-annual Fecal Parasite Testing: Gastrointestinal parasites are common in cats. While they are more commonly seen in cats that go outside and prey on birds and small rodents, we have found parasites in strictly indoor cats as well. These parasites can cause weight loss, malabsorption, and diarrhea. Some of these parasites can even be transmitted to humans, so diagnosing and treating them is crucial to keeping your kitty healthy.
    • Annual Junior/Senior Blood Screening: A thorough physical examination gives only part of the picture regarding your pet’s health. Even with a normal physical examination, problems can be lurking beneath the surface, without any signs that your pet is ill. Especially common in cats are kidney disease, diabetes and thyroid issues. Left untreated, these diseases can cause progressive weight loss, weakness, loss of appetite and eventually, death. We recommend a yearly blood and urine panel to assess your pet’s organ function and metabolic profile. If any abnormalities are detected, the doctor will be able to determine if any further diagnostics or treatments are necessary. Many of the conditions identified on bloodwork can be treated with medications and/or changes to your pets’ diet and can help prolong the longevity of your pet.
    • Feline Leukemia/Feline AIDS/Feline Bartonella Testing: All cats that go outside should be tested for these diseases on a yearly basis, and we also recommend this test for kittens and newly adopted cats as well. Feline Leukemia and Feline AIDS are two viral diseases that are transmitted by bite wounds in cats. Feline Bartonella is a bacterial disease that can cause a host of signs, including gum infections, upper respiratory signs and gastrointestinal signs. It is transmitted by fleas and causes human health concerns in that it can be transmitted to people through bites and scratches.
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  • PREVENTATIVES:
    • Year Round Heartworm Preventative: Heartworms are a parasite transmitted by mosquitoes and is a drastically under-diagnosed problem in cats. The American Association of Feline Practitioners recommends that all indoor and outdoor cats be on heartworm preventative. Infection with heartworms can lead to heart and respiratory disease in cats. At the VCMC, RevolutionPlus is the preferred heartworm preventative for cats.
    • Year Round Flea/Tick Preventative: Flea and tick preventative should be given to all cats that go outdoors. However, one forgotten group of cats are those cats that are indoor, but share a house with other pets that go outside, such as dogs. Dogs (and humans!) can carry in a flea or tick which can then prey on unprotected cats. RevolutionPlus and Frontline are flea/tick preventatives offered at VCMC.

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Schedule an Appointment

Our Hours

We look forward to seeing you!

Monday:

7:00 am-7:00 pm

Tuesday:

7:00 am-7:00 pm

Wednesday:

7:00 am-7:00 pm

Thursday:

7:00 am-7:00 pm

Friday:

7:00 am-7:00 pm

Saturday:

7:00 am-4:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed

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