Wellness Care – Kitten
Congratulations on your adorable new feline friend! Your Apple Tree Animal Clinic veterinarian is your partner in making sure your kitten gets the best start possible. Our Kitten Wellness Program was created to make sure your new friend gets started off on the right paw because the first few months of a young cat’s life are critical to their development, future health, and well-being.
You should schedule your kitten to see the veterinarian as soon as possible after you adopt. Below is information on what you can expect when you bring your pet in for his or her initial exam.
Comprehensive Physical Exams: Is your kitten’s growth on track? Are there any telltale signs of current or future health issues? How large will my kitten get? These are all questions that can be answered by your veterinarian with a physical exam.
Vaccinations: Just like newborn babies, the immune systems of young pets are not fully developed. This means they are more susceptible to disease, and therefore kittens need a series of vaccinations given at monthly intervals to be protected. In this package, your kitten will receive rabies and panleukopenia (distemper) shots, and depending on your cat’s risk, other vaccinations for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) may be recommended.
Intestinal Parasite Screening: It’s very common for kittens to have worms, and they can make your new friend very sick and weak. Some of these worms can also be passed to your human family members. Fecal testing for intestinal parasites is a must for kittens. Should your pet test positive for hookworms, whipworms, roundworms, or tapeworms, treatment is at an additional cost but is usually very reasonable.
Microchipping: One of the most important things you can do for your pet is to make sure he or she is microchipped. Unlike collars, microchips stay with your pet for life and will make it much more likely your dog will be returned to you if lost.
First Doses of Flea, & Tick Preventative: Fleas and ticks are not only unpleasant, they carry disease and can be very detrimental to a young cat’s health. We’ll make sure your kitten is protected with their first doses of flea and tick preventive.
Behavior & Nutrition Counseling: While it may be true that kittens don’t come with instructions, counseling with our veterinarians about litterbox training, the importance of socialization (yes—cats are actually very social!) and other basic behavior information will set your kitten up for success as a family member. We can also advise you on feeding schedules and options for optimum health.
To schedule your kitten for a visit, make an appointment online, or call (304) 725-8840.