Eden Veterinary Practice Kittens

	With a new kitten there are lots of things to consider. The most common are listed below to help you.If you have any queries on these or other subjects please do not hesitate to contact us. We also offer a free pre vaccination check for all new kittens registered with us.

Vaccination
We strongly recommend a triple vaccination agaist cat flu, enteritis and leukaemia. However a double vaccine for flu and enteritis is available on request for indoor cats. These diseases are serious asnd potentially fatal in the case of leukaemia. The usual course of injections starts at 9 weeks or older, followed by a second injection 3 weeks later. Thereafter annual boosters are needed to maintain immunity. At each injection your kitten/cat will get a full veterinary health check and any advice you need on general care. There is a lot written in the press about vaccination but it really is a vital part of health care. If you have any concerns please ask to speak to a vet to discuss these.
Worming
Worming should be started as soon as possible in kittens to prevent disease in your kitten or family. Once started treatment is advised every 2-3 weeks until 12 weeks old. Treatment is repeated at 6 months old and then every 3-6 months. The adult dosing interval depends on your cat's habits, ie hunters need more frequent wormers. We offer a variety of worming products depending on your kitten's age, size, and breed. Some products are also easy to administer!
Fleas
Outdoor cats have a high risk of fleas, which can then be brought into your home. We advise using treatments thatquickly and effectively kills fleas, and lasts approximately 1 month. These can also be used to prevent future infestations.
Diet
The single most important factor to remember is that there should be no sudden changes to the diet. Currently we advise feeding according to life stages: starting with a kitten food until 6 months old then changing to an adult diet.
Neutering
For females the operation is called a spay, which can be done after 6 months old, and will stop any unwanted litters. Males have an operation called castration, again at 6 months old, which can help reduce spraying and territorial behaviour.
Identichip
This small microchip, about the size of a grain of rice, is placed under the skin around the shoulder area. The chip carries a unique15 digit number corresponding to its owners details. it does notemit signals but needs a special scanner to "read" the details. If your cat gets lost or stolen,any ve, police or rescue centre would scan immediately to trace it directly back to you. Identichips are the simplist way to permanently identify your kitten for the rest of it's life and can be done from 8 weeks old.
Insurance
This is definitely worth considering with all pets, to cover the costof unexpected vet's fees. With advances in medicine we are able to successfully treat more conditions than ever as well as offering referral to top specialists, however this can come at a cost. There is a vast range of insurance policies available and we advise on plenty of research before you select one. Points to check include excess amount, whether the policy is lifelong, covers prescription diets or alternative treatments etc. Sometimes the cheapest is not the best!
Training
Although we do not necessarily expect cats to sit, stay and fetch like pups, training is still important. Litter training is normally very straightforward, but it is a good idea to restrict access to the whole house until toilet training is certain. Gentle handling and play is vital from day one to establish a bond between you. Kittens should not be let outdoors until they are fully vaccinated and we would normally recommend keeping them in until they are a few months old and have been neutered.
Finally
We would like to wish you a long, happy and healthy future with your new kitten.

Eden Veterinary Practice, Cupar Trading Estate, Cupar, Fife, KY15 4SX Telephone (01334) 650888