It’s important to make an appointment with your vet as soon as possible after adopting a new kitten. After all, you’re bringing a new family member into your home. You should arrange a thorough health check to make sure your kitten is healthy but also to ensure they aren’t bringing any infectious diseases or parasites with them that could affect other pets or people.

The First Check Up

Your kitten’s first check up will start with a comprehensive physical exam. This will involve a visual check on the health of their eyes, ears, fur and teeth, as well as measuring your cat’s temperature and weight. Your vet will listen to their heart and lung health and feel for any abnormalities in other internal organs to make sure kitten’s life gets off to the best possible start. Faecal and blood tests may also be taken at this time.

Vaccinations

Kittens are particularly at risk of contracting a number of diseases as they gradually lose the antibodies passed on by their mother and are left with no protection. There are three essential ‘core’ vaccines for your kitten – rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia. These vaccines can begin to be administered around 6-8 weeks of age and then boosted over the following few months. Your vet will provide you with a schedule of vaccinations to follow in order to ensure your cat gets the best possible protection against infectious disease.

Microchipping

Microchipping is a legal requirement in Western Australia and should be completed in the first few months of your kitten’s life. The process is as simple as a small injection in the back of the neck and it means your pet has a very high chance of being returned to you if it gets lost.

Flea Prevention

All pets will be exposed to fleas at some stage once they are outside and interacting with other animals. Kittens can begin to receive preventative treatment against fleas from 2 months of age, and all pets in your household must be treated at the same time.

Worm Prevention

Kittens need to be treated to protect against heartworm and intestinal worms regularly from a very young age. When you purchase our kitten wellness package, this includes 12 months of protection against these harmful parasites.

Desexing

All male cats outside of breeding colonies must be desexed and it is highly recommended to desex females as well. Pets who have been spayed or neutered are healthier, more relaxed, less likely to roam or fight, and ultimately better to live with. Your kitten should be desexed before 6 months of age at the latest.

Total Wellness

All of the treatments listed above are available in the Port Kennedy Veterinary Hospital kitten wellness package, designed to give the best possible chance of preventing, detecting and managing any illness your pet may develop. The wellness package provides an excellent start to your kitten’s long life of health and happiness.

If you’d like to purchase one of our popular wellness packages for your kitten, call Port Kennedy Veterinary Hospital now on 08 9524 6644 or visit our contact page for more ways to get in touch.