Kittens Congratulations on the acquisition of your new kitten. Owning a cat can be an extremely rewarding experience but it also carries with it quite a bit of responsibility. We are grateful that you have chosen us to help you with your kitten’s health care. If you have questions concerning any subject related to your kitten’s health, please feel free to contact our hospital at (315) 676-2860 to speak with an experienced and educated staff member.	PUPPIES & KITTENS
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A cat is naturally inclined to investigate its new surroundings. It is suggested that the cat’s area of exploration be limited initially so that these natural tendencies do not create an unmanageable task. After confining the cat to one room for the first few days you should slowly allow access to other areas of the home.

Most kittens receive a hostile reception from other household pets, especially from another cat. The other cat usually sees no need for a kitten in the household, and these feelings are reinforced if it perceives that special favoritism is being shown the kitten. The existing cat must not feel that it is necessary to compete for food or for attention. The new kitten should have its own food and food bowl, and it should not be permitted to eat from the other cat’s bowl. Although it is natural to spend time holding and cuddling the kitten, the existing cat should not be slighted. In fact, the transition will be smoother if the existing cat is given more attention than normal.

Intestinal parasites are common in kittens. Kittens can become infected with parasites almost as soon as they are born. For example, the most important source of roundworm infection in kittens is the mother’s milk. We use a broad spectrum deworming product that is safe and effective against almost all of the common worms of the cat. It is given at the first visit and repeated in about 2-4 weeks, because the deworming medication only kills the adult worms. Within 2-4 weeks the larval stages will have become adults and will need to be treated. Cats remain susceptible to reinfection with hookworms and roundworms. Periodic deworming, up to four times a year and based on your cat’s risk, is recommended.

Tapeworms are the most common intestinal parasite of cats. Kittens become infected with them when they swallow fleas; the eggs of the tapeworm live inside the flea. When the cat chews or licks its skin as a flea bites, the flea may be swallowed. The flea is digested within the cat’s intestine; the tapeworm hatches and then anchors itself to the intestinal lining. Therefore, exposure to fleas may result in a new infection; this can occur in as little as two weeks. Cats infected with tapeworms will pass small segments of the worms in their stool. The segments are white in color and look like grains of rice.

Monthly topical flea control is important to not only eliminate fleas but also to prevent tapeworms. We will help you choose a flea control product that is right for your kitten.

Diet is extremely important in the growing months of a cat’s life, and there are two important criteria that should be met in selecting food for your kitten. We recommend a Name Brand Food made by a name-brand cat food company (not a generic), and a form of food Made for Kittens. This should be fed until your kitten is about 6 months of age.

Do not use milk to moisten your cat’s food as it can cause GI upset. Table foods in general are not recommended. We will help you choose an appropriate diet of canned and/or dry food at your first visit.

It is important to have your kitten tested for feline leukemia (FELV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) because these two diseases are associated with illness and death in more cats than any other infectious agent. Kittens born to infected mothers can be infected too and signs of infection may not be apparent in young kittens. All kittens should be tested before being introduced into a household. There is currently no cure for either infection, but if your kitten is infected, we can manage the disease to help your kitten live a productive and happy life.

We can quickly test your kitten for both infections during your annual visit and have the results before you leave the clinic.

There are many diseases that are fatal to cats. Fortunately, we have the ability to prevent many of these by the use of very effective vaccines. In order to be effective, these vaccines must be given as a series of injections. Ideally, they are given at about 6-8, 12 and 16 weeks of age, but this schedule may vary somewhat depending on several factors.

The routine vaccination schedule will protect your kitten from five diseases: distemper, three respiratory organisms and rabies. The first four are included in a combination vaccine that is given at 6-8, 12 and 16 weeks old. Rabies vaccine is given after 3 months of age. Leukemia vaccine is appropriate for any cat that will go outside or if you have another cat that goes in and out. This deadly disease is transmitted by contact with other cats, especially when fighting occurs.

When the kitten nurses its mother, it receives a temporary form of immunity through its mother’s milk. This immunity is in the form of proteins called antibodies. This immunity is of benefit during the first few weeks of the kitten’s life, but, at some point, this immunity fails and the kitten must be able to make its own long lasting immunity. Vaccinations are used for this purpose.

Disciplining a young kitten may be necessary if its behavior threatens people or property, but harsh punishment should be avoided. Hand clapping and use shaker cans or horns can be intimidating enough to inhibit undesirable behavior. However, remote punishment is preferred. Remote punishment consists of using something that appears unconnected to the punisher to stop the problem behavior. Example include use spray bottles and making loud noises. Remote punishment is preferred because the kitten associates punishment with the undesirable act and not with you.

There are three options that you should consider: frequent nail clipping, nail shields and surgical declawing.

The nails may be clipped according to the nail trim handout. However, your cat’s nails will regrow and become sharp again in about 4-7 days. Therefore, to protect your property, it will be necessary to clip them one to two times per week.

There are some commercially available products that are called nail caps. The most common one is called Soft Paws. These are generally made of smooth plastic and attach to the end of the nail with a special glue. The nails are still present, but the caps prevent them from causing destruction. After 2-4 weeks (or longer) the nails will grow enough that the caps will be shed. At that time, you should be prepared to replace them.

Surgical declawing is the removal of the nail at its base. This is done under general anesthesia; it takes a few weeks for the paws to heal afterwards. The cat is usually in pain for at least a few days after surgery, so pain medication and bandages are used to help keep them comfortable. This surgery can be done as early as 12 weeks of age, but it is usually done the same time as spaying or neutering. Once declawed, your cat should always live indoors since the ability to defend itself is compromised.