You've added a furry new friend to your family! Congratulations. What now? The first thing you should do is schedule a checkup. Here, our vets discuss what to expect at your kitten's first vet visit in Citrus Heights and share a checklist for what to bring and questions to ask.
When to Take a Kitten to the Vet
When you get a new kitten, the first thing you should do is schedule a vet visit. This is important for your kitten's health and to ensure it does not share any communicable infections. If the kitten shows signs of illness, such as watery eyes, sneezing, difficulty breathing, or an inability to eat, it should be examined as soon as possible.
Bring Your New Kitten to the Vet: A Checklist
There are a few things that will make the vet visit go smoothly. These include:
- Any information and paperwork provided by the shelter or breeder
- Notes of any concerns you have about the kitten
- Stool sample
- Cat carrier
- Cat Treats
You should always bring adoption paperwork to the first veterinary appointment. You should also inform your veterinarian about the kitten's previous treatments or vaccinations. If you cannot do this, remember what they told you at the adoption to avoid forgetting.
What happens during kitten checkups?
During your kitten's first vet visit, the staff and veterinarian will interview you and physically examine your kitten. They will also search for other parasites, such as fleas and mites. The veterinarian will examine your kitten's eyes, ears, lips, skin, coat, and entire body. The healthcare provider palpates the abdomen to feel the organs and listens to the heart and lungs with a stethoscope. We may also collect a stool sample to determine your underlying health problems.
For optimal health, weaning time, and socialization, kittens should be adopted at eight to ten weeks. If your kitten is young, especially six weeks or under, the vet must examine the kitten's nutrition and hydration status and offer any necessary supplementation.
Will my new kitten need lab tests? Which ones?
Your kitten will likely need a fecal exam and a blood test.
Fecal Exam: Your veterinarian will almost certainly ask you to bring a fecal sample from your kitten for testing for parasites such as intestinal worms, giardia, and other possible issues. Your vet may administer deworming medication at each appointment because not all fecal tests detect all intestinal parasites, and a significant percentage of kittens have them. Humans can contract many parasites, so removing them from your cat is crucial.
Blood Test: The American Association of Feline Practitioners recommends that all newly adopted cats, regardless of age, be tested for FeLV and FIV. If your kitten is less than nine weeks old, your veterinarian may advise you to delay testing until at least nine weeks. If you have other cats in the house with your kitten, keep them separated until they have tested negative in case your new kitten has a transmissible disease.
What is the cost of new kitten checkups?
A kitten's (or puppy's) first vet visit in Citrus Heights can vary in cost depending on several factors. These can include the breed and age of your new furry friend, the expertise of the veterinary professional and what they have done during the visit.
Questions to Ask the First Time You Bring Your Kitten For a Vet Visit
There are many questions that you may want to ask during your kitten's visit. This list is not exhaustive, and you are welcome to ask any questions that you may have that are not on this list.
Here are some questions that we are commonly asked:
- Is my cat a healthy weight?
- Are they eating the right food and getting proper nutrition?
- Are they sleeping too much or too little?
- What resources are available at this vet clinic? (ex. X-rays, labs, etc.)
- Are there any common parasites or pests in the area? How can I prevent them?
- Is cat insurance worth it, and if so, who do you recommend?
- Do you have any grooming recommendations for my cat?
- Are there any vaccinations my cat needs?
- Where are the nearby emergency services for off-hours or holidays?
- What do you recommend for flea and tick prevention?
- How is my cat’s dental health?
- Any cat food label questions, such as how to read them, what to look for, etc.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. Please make an appointment with your vet to diagnose your pet's condition accurately.