kitten 101

Congratulations on your new kitten! On this page you will find information on vaccines and preventative wellness care for your new pet.

Vaccines

What is my kitten getting?

core (highly recommend for serious and common diseases)Rabies - Protects against Rabies and is required for all pets by NYS Law. This is a zoonotic disease and can be transmitted from animals to humans. 
FVRCP - Protects against Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia. This vaccine needs to be boostered 2-3 times after the initial vaccine depending on your pet’s age. 
Non-Core (options, based on risk, exposure and location)Feline Recombinant Leukemia - Protects against feline leukemia virus. This vaccine needs to be boostered 3-4 weeks after the initial vaccination.  This vaccine is recommended for cats that go outdoors.

Fecal Sample

We recommend bringing in a fresh stool sample when you bring your pet in for their first visit and for each annual exam as follows. The fecal sample will check for gastrointestinal parasites (worms, eggs and protozoa). We provide the fecal specimen container.

Felv/Fiv Snap Test

FeLV stands for Feline Leukemia Virus, and FIV is Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. Although caused by distinct viruses, these diseases have similarities: both are contagious and incurable; both are more likely to be acquired by a cat that is allowed outside. We recommend an in-house snap test for your kitten at the initial exam to determine felv/fiv status. Learn more

Spay/Neuter

Our recommendation is to spay or neuter your pet around 6 months of age. We will run blood work prior to the procedure to make sure the pet is safe for general anesthesia. A spay/neuter procedure would require your pet to be with us for a full day followed by a period of rest for 7-14 days along with an e-collar worn at all times. Someone should be home to monitor the pet after the procedure. Generally, there is no recheck needed for these procedures. Learn more

Prevention

Revolution Plus: We recommend keeping your cat on flea/tick prevention if your pet goes outside or if your pet lives with other animals that go outside. We recommend revolution plus, a topical preventative which protects against fleas, ticks, ear mites, roundworms, hookworms and heartworms.

Foods Your Pet Should NOT Ingest

Chocolate
Xylitol (sugar-free gum & candy)
Grapes, raisins, & currants
Caffeine (coffee & tea)
Fatty scraps
Onions, garlic, & chives
Macadamia nuts
Unbaked yeast bread dough
Alcohol
Table salt

Zoonotic Diseases

Zoonotic disease or zoonoses are terms used to describe an infection or disease that can be transmitted from an animal to a human being. Learn more

Common potential zoonotic diseases with cats:

Ringworm
Toxoplasmosis
Salmonellosis
Campylobacter infection
Giardia infection
Cryptosporidium infection
Roundworms
Hookworms
Tapeworms
Cat scratch disease
Rabies

Microchip

We highly recommend a microchip implantation for easy identification of your pet in the event of your pet getting loose and lost. A microchip is implanted under the skin between the shoulder blades and can be implanted without anesthesia. Each microchip contains a registration number and the phone number of the registry for the particular brand of chip. A handheld scanner reads the radio frequency of the chip and displays this information. An animal shelter or vet clinic that finds your pet can contact the registry to get your name and phone number. Learn more

Cat Bite Injuries to Humans

Cat bites are puncture wounds that can cause bacterial infections with Pasteurella multocida that can spread to the blood stream. Cat bites should be cleaned immediately and assessed by a physician; antibiotics are frequently used to treat infection.

Cat Scratch Disease

Cat scratch disease (CSD) is caused by the bacteria Bartonella which is transmitted by fleas and other biting insects. Cats act as reservoirs for the bacteria. Signs of CSD in people include fever, lethargy, enlarged lymph nodes, and lesions on the conjunctiva and skin. The disease is usually self-limiting; however, some people will require antibiotics especially if they are immunocompromised. Tests are available for diagnosis in humans as well as cats. Strict flea control, good hygiene, keeping your cat indoors, and keeping your cat’s nails trimmed are among the most important ways to try to prevent CSD.