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Pre-Surgical Information
Spaying or neutering your pet is a big step! There is a lot to consider
when we are planning your pet’s surgery. Here is some information to help
you make wise decisions.
Click here . . .
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Special LibraryOur Special Library
is a collection of informative articles on a variety of health topics.
Click here . . .
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Discharge InstructionsClick here for
information on how to care for your pet at home.
Click here . . .
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Kitten Visit Three
You're all grown up now! As your kitten grows up and prepares to enter the world of the big
kitties, there are a few things you need to know to make the transition safe and happy.
Vaccinations from Here on Out
We follow the New Guidelines published by the American Association of Feline Practitioners. Click here for a link with more information. Your kitten has just finished the initial kitten series. The next time we need to vaccinate your kitten is in one year from now. The One-Year boosters are vital for establishing long-lasting immunity. At the one-year visit, we will need to boost everything we have given so far. After that, some diseases, like Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis and Calicivirus will only be boosted every three years. Other diseases, like Feline Leukemia and Rabies will need to be boosted each year. We will be careful to use only non-adjuvanted vaccine to avoid the risk of vaccine-associated tumors.
The annual Physical Exam is very important. Cats age about seven years for every year that passes. A lot can happen in seven years. I am terrible about going to the doctor myself, but even I go at least every seven years! Each year the veterinarian will examine your cat, and evaluate things like weight, skin lumps, tooth problems, ear problems, etc. The annual exam is the first line of defense your pet has against poor health.
Spay and Neuter Surgery
Every Year Hundreds of Thousands of Cats are put to sleep just because they don't have homes. Hundreds of thousands more starve, are run over, etc. for the same reasons. In my humble opinion, the only reason not to have your pet spayed or neutered is if you have firm and definite plans on breeding him or her.
Click here for a link to a more detailed discussion on why to spay or neuter your pet.
The Best Time to have your cat Spayed or Neutered is five months of age.
Spaying and Neutering are major surgery, make no mistake about it. Some places do it quite cheaply. Others charge more. The difference is that the Humane Societies and the Pounds do the spay and neuter surgeries kind of like the army does haircuts. Nothing fancy, one size fits all, git-'r-done. The more expensive places do surgery more like a human hospital, with excellent pain control, the safest anesthesia, and the latest surgical instruments and techniques.
At Sunnyside Veterinary Clinic, we believe in Choices.
Some clients want the very best for their pet. Others are content with a little less. Either way is OK, just so you know what you are getting and what you are not getting. To help you make these important decisions, we have prepared a couple of articles you will want to read. Click Here to go the The Consumer Guide to Elective Surgery: Best Practices. Click here to go to the companion article, Surgical Options. In it you will find enough information to help you make some informed decisions and help your pet avoid a "bad haircut" of a surgical experience.
Parasite Control
Far from a favorite topic of conversation, internal parasites, or "worms," as they are commonly called, are nonetheless a major problem. The problem is two-fold: "Worms" not only infect your kitten, they can infect your children as well! Kittens pick up worms as microscopic larvae. These larvae are too small to be seen, but are waiting for your kitten in the park, on the neighbor's lawn, in the fields, etc. Some catss may not have any worms, but many do. Many mature cats have worms and never show any signs at all. There are various tests for worms, some better than others, but even the best have a certain percentage of false negatives. I believe it is best to simply deworm every cat at least once a year. This is cheaper than testing, the deworming medications are safe, and it avoids the potential of a false negative test. The reasons why are serious.
There is a considerable public health issue with cat worms. Young children are also very susceptible to cat worms, and can catch them from your cat. Cat worm infections in children can be very serious. Adult humans are at very minimal risk of acquiring a cat worm infection unless they have an immunosuppressive condition. I feel that at a minimum, all cats should be dewormed at least once a year.
Many cats also have tapeworms as well. Cats catch tapeworms by eating mice. So, while you and your children are not in danger of catching tapeworms from your cat, they are nonetheless quite gross. Cats with tapeworms will pass little pieces of the worms, and they are often visible. They look like dried-up grains of cooked rice stuck the fur around the cat’s anus. Cats that catch a lot of mice may need de-wormed every 3 to 4 months.
This concludes your Third Kitten Wellness visit e-handout. If you have any questions, be sure to ask. We look forward to seeing you again when we spay or neuter your kitten. The next vaccination visit will be one year from now.
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