If you've just brought home a new kitten, you should know that your kitten is reliant on you for everything, including their health. But when should you take your kitten to the vet, and how can they help? Here is some general information to guide you.
When Should You Take Your New Kitten to the Vet for the First Time?
You should take the kitten to the vet as soon as you can after it arrives. The vet will do a general health check to make sure the kitten doesn't have any problems. It's better to have this done early before any conditions worsen.
The vet will also microchip the kitten with identification details so they can be returned home if they get lost. Another thing the vet will do is work out the immunisation schedule, which will begin at about six to eight weeks.
Can the Vet Give General Care Advice About Your Kitten?
Another benefit of taking your kitten to the vet is that you can load up on information on how to look after it better. The vet is an expert and will be happy to answer your questions. But make sure to write them down. You can ask about diet, bathing, grooming, and anything else you want to know. The vet can advise you on what to feed the kitten and how to manage fleas.
What Regular Vet Visits Will Your Kitten Need?
Your kitten will need a series of vet appointments in their first six months to get vaccinated against several diseases. The vet will give core vaccinations to protect against diseases like enteritis and cat flu. The vaccination will prevent or lessen the severity of the disease. If she does get it, she will be less likely to get seriously ill.
After the first core vaccination at around six to eight weeks old, the kitten will need a couple of booster shots at four to six-week intervals. They may have another vaccination at six months to bolster their immune system.
You can rest easier once your cat is safely vaccinated and protected. After the initial series of shots, they will require a yearly checkup and booster vaccination. Though, of course, bring your cat more frequently if they are sick.
The vet may give a cat non-core vaccinations if they are at risk. For example, your cat may have been in contact with another cat that has a specific disease. In that case, the vet could vaccinate your cat against that disease just to be safe.
For more information, contact a local vet.