Vaccinations
There are multiple diseases that can affect your kitten and become either serious infections or be fatal. Options for protection against these diseases vary but effective protection is readily available.
Vaccines vary and protect against different diseases. We routinely vaccinate against feline Rhinotracheitis, Calici virus, Chlamydia and Enteritis. Our recommended vaccination schedule for your kitten is to vaccinate against these diseases at six to eight weeks of age. Two additional booster vaccines are required at 10 - 12 weeks and 14 - 16 weeks of age. The option to vaccinate against the virus that causes feline AIDS is also available from our clinic. This vaccine is recommended for all cats that will be outdoor cats. Asking one of our vets about this condition is advised.
Following these three kitten vaccines an annual booster is required.
Internal Parasites
Intestinal worms and heartworms are the main internal parasites for an owner to worry about. Intestinal worms are simple to control. Broad spectrum wormers are available from our clinic and can come in several different forms to suit your animals specific needs. Wormers from super markets should be avoided as they often do not contain the specific ingredients that can completely eradicate an infestation. Kittens should be wormed fortnightly from 2 - 12 weeks of age, monthly from 3 - 6 months of age and then every three months for life.
Kittens and cats have in the past been thought to be more resistant to heartworm than dogs but recent research has shown that the chance of a cat contracting heartworm is much higher than previously thought. Diagnosing heartworm in a cat is difficult so it is advisable to use a monthly preventative against heartworm.
External Parasites
Fleas are the most common parasite that plagues pets and their owners. They exist almost everywhere you go. Despite this, they are very simple to control. Using one of the several high quality products available from our clinic is almost always enough to control fleas. Monthly treatments are the most effective and easy to use. There are several products available that will combine flea protection, intestinal worm protection, heartworm protection and other skin and ear parasites into the one treatment. These products come in monthly treatments and are highly recommended. For more information on fleas, click here.
People living in warm or bushy areas should be wary of bush ticks and paralysis ticks. The options for tick prevention in cats are limited. Some products will protect a cat to a limited degree but it is always good to remember that no tick prevention is going to be 100% effective. A single bush tick is usually harmless, however, in large numbers they can drain enough blood from kittens and small cats to cause severe anaemia. The paralysis caused by a paralysis tick is usually fatal if left untreated.
Desexing
If you do not intend to breed your kitten in the future then desexing is highly recommended. Both females and males should be desexed between five and six months of age. Desexing is highly advantageous for both males and females. It can prevent certain cancers and infections in the animal. In males it can help with behavioural problems and in females it will prevent them going on heat which is preferable to owners. A common misconception is that female cats will gain a valuable experience from having at least one litter. On the contrary, pregnancy is more of a risk to the cat and can be a burden to an unprepared owner. Desexing your kitten will also result in a significant discount on the council registration fee.
Nutrition
The nutritional needs of a kitten are very simple to provide. Quality foods can be acquired from your veterinary clinic which are both cost effective and provide everything your kitten needs. Feeding guidelines are provided on most products and should only be adjusted if it is clear through body condition that the kitten is getting too much or too little food.
Microchipping
Microchipping is compulsory in NSW. Legally, your kitten is required to be microchipped by 16 weeks of age. Your kitten must then be registered with council by the time it is six months of age.
There are multiple diseases that can affect your kitten and become either serious infections or be fatal. Options for protection against these diseases vary but effective protection is readily available.
Vaccines vary and protect against different diseases. We routinely vaccinate against feline Rhinotracheitis, Calici virus, Chlamydia and Enteritis. Our recommended vaccination schedule for your kitten is to vaccinate against these diseases at six to eight weeks of age. Two additional booster vaccines are required at 10 - 12 weeks and 14 - 16 weeks of age. The option to vaccinate against the virus that causes feline AIDS is also available from our clinic. This vaccine is recommended for all cats that will be outdoor cats. Asking one of our vets about this condition is advised.
Following these three kitten vaccines an annual booster is required.
Internal Parasites
Intestinal worms and heartworms are the main internal parasites for an owner to worry about. Intestinal worms are simple to control. Broad spectrum wormers are available from our clinic and can come in several different forms to suit your animals specific needs. Wormers from super markets should be avoided as they often do not contain the specific ingredients that can completely eradicate an infestation. Kittens should be wormed fortnightly from 2 - 12 weeks of age, monthly from 3 - 6 months of age and then every three months for life.
Kittens and cats have in the past been thought to be more resistant to heartworm than dogs but recent research has shown that the chance of a cat contracting heartworm is much higher than previously thought. Diagnosing heartworm in a cat is difficult so it is advisable to use a monthly preventative against heartworm.
External Parasites
Fleas are the most common parasite that plagues pets and their owners. They exist almost everywhere you go. Despite this, they are very simple to control. Using one of the several high quality products available from our clinic is almost always enough to control fleas. Monthly treatments are the most effective and easy to use. There are several products available that will combine flea protection, intestinal worm protection, heartworm protection and other skin and ear parasites into the one treatment. These products come in monthly treatments and are highly recommended. For more information on fleas, click here.
People living in warm or bushy areas should be wary of bush ticks and paralysis ticks. The options for tick prevention in cats are limited. Some products will protect a cat to a limited degree but it is always good to remember that no tick prevention is going to be 100% effective. A single bush tick is usually harmless, however, in large numbers they can drain enough blood from kittens and small cats to cause severe anaemia. The paralysis caused by a paralysis tick is usually fatal if left untreated.
Desexing
If you do not intend to breed your kitten in the future then desexing is highly recommended. Both females and males should be desexed between five and six months of age. Desexing is highly advantageous for both males and females. It can prevent certain cancers and infections in the animal. In males it can help with behavioural problems and in females it will prevent them going on heat which is preferable to owners. A common misconception is that female cats will gain a valuable experience from having at least one litter. On the contrary, pregnancy is more of a risk to the cat and can be a burden to an unprepared owner. Desexing your kitten will also result in a significant discount on the council registration fee.
Nutrition
The nutritional needs of a kitten are very simple to provide. Quality foods can be acquired from your veterinary clinic which are both cost effective and provide everything your kitten needs. Feeding guidelines are provided on most products and should only be adjusted if it is clear through body condition that the kitten is getting too much or too little food.
Microchipping
Microchipping is compulsory in NSW. Legally, your kitten is required to be microchipped by 16 weeks of age. Your kitten must then be registered with council by the time it is six months of age.
130 Quarry Rd
Ryde 2112
Ph. 02 9809 4788
ABN 82 940 836 685
Ryde 2112
Ph. 02 9809 4788
ABN 82 940 836 685
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |