Your New Kitten’s Health
Vaccination Protocol
RCP (rhinotracheitis.Calicivirus.Panleukopenia) -Minimum of 8 weeks,followed by boosters every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks,then in 1 year,then approved for 3 years.
FELV (feline leukemia) Minimum of 9 weeks followed by 1 booster 4 weeks later, then yearly,depending on lifestyle.A blood test is required prior to vaccination.
Rabies - At 16 weeks; then booster yearly.
Parasite Prevention
You can, at any time, bring in a fecal (poop) sample for parasite evaluation. Village Veterinary Clinic (VVC) recommends keeping your cat on heartworm/internal parasite and flea prevention all year around (Advantage-Multi, Interceptor). Avoid using any over-the-counter (OTC) Flea control (THEY ARE INEFFECTIVE & CAN BE LIFE THREATENING!). VVC flea prevention includes: Advantage, Advantage-Multi, & Feline Revolution.
Spa Days
Brushing your kitten’s teeth regularly can help to keep them clean. Kitten’s teeth should be evaluated yearly and cleaned (scaled & polished) on a regular basis. Your kitten will loose baby teeth between 4-6 months of age. Some kittens do not lose their kitten teeth and they need to be extracted. Your veterinarian will help you determine this. It is important to take time to groom your kitten. Toe nails should be trimmed, and mats should be removed. To help with that duty, VVC offers grooming and bathing Monday through Friday.
Nutrition
It is important to feed your kitten good quality food. Royal Canin, Iams, Science Diet and California Natural are some of our veterinarian’s recommendations.
Spaying and Neutering
The ideal age to spay (female sterilization) or neuter (male castration) is between 4-6 months of age.
Spay: VVC advises spaying your kitten before her first heat cycle decreasing the probability of Mammary Cancer. Spaying removes the risk of Pyometra (a life threatening uterine infection) and decreases her desire to roam.
Neuter: VVC advises neutering your kitten at a young age, eliminating the chance of testicular cancer, lessening prostate enlargement and reducing his tendency to “mark” his territory, and decreasing his desire to roam.
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY ORDINANCE REQUIRES SPAYING & NEUTERING
MicroChipping
The microchip is a internal identification for your kitten. If an unknown kitten/cat (regardless of age) is brought in to Village Veterinary Clinic or the animal shelter a microchip scan will be performed. If a microchip number is detected and has been activated, Village Veterinary Clinic or the animal shelter will contact the microchip company and that company will then inform you…MicroChipping is NOT A GPS System! You must activate your pet's microchip number with the microchip company. If you have any questions, please ask any staff member or click here for more information.