Vaccine Schedule

To ensure that your kitten will become a healthy and happy cat, it is vital to vaccinate against disease.

Starting with the first visit and physical exam, we recommend testing for Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. This is a quick test that can be done while the veterinarian is doing the physical exam on your kitten. Below is the vaccine schedule we will be following.
1st Visit (approx. 8-9 weeks of age)

Exam, FELV/FIV test, st FVRCP, Drontal Deworming

2nd Visit

2nd FVRCP, 1st FELV, Fecal Test

3rd Visit

3rd FVRCP, 2nd FELV

Your veterinarian may change the vaccine protocol depending on the age of your kitten when it receives the first vaccine.

At 16 weeks (4 months of age) is the optimum age to spay /neuter your kitten and the Rabies vaccine will be given at this time.

Mini Home Physical

While petting your cat it is the ideal time to do a mini physical exam. Rub your hands over cat feeling for lumps, bumps or anything out of the ordinary. Look at skin for signs of fleas. Check feet and nails (trim if needed), check ears and gently lift cat’s lips to look at teeth. Cats are very clever at hiding illness but if you are aware of some of the subtle signs of illness, you will know when to seek prompt medical attention for your cat.

SIGNS: Any elimination behavior changes, changes in social interaction, activity level changes, increased or decreased sleeping, increased or decreased eating/water consumption, weight loss or gain, decreased grooming habits, stress, depression, hiding, increased vocalization, bad breath.

If you notice any of the above, schedule a visit as soon as possible with your veterinarian.

Neuter Your Male Cats

This is the most proactive step. Neutering is a simple surgery with a very quick recovery period. Besides preventing unwanted pregnancies, neutering a male will help mitigate certain problem behavior found in whole males, and it will help prevent certain medical conditions, too.

• Neutered cats are less likely to spray strong urine
• Neutered cats will lose the urge to fight
• Neutered cats will be less likely to try to escape
• Neutered cats will be less likely to contract diseases such as FeLV and FIV
• Neutered cats will not be subject to testicular cancer

Spay Your Female Cats

Anyone who has lived through the misery of having a female cat in almost constant heat cycles will attest that it is not a pleasant experience. Their loud calling, often accompanied by spraying urine (to attract a mate) are evidence that they are, if not actually physically in pain, at least uncomfortable and unhappy.

Aside from the very real feline overpopulation problem, there are some valid health reasons for spaying female cats.

• Eliminates Chances of Pyometritis
• Eliminates Risk of Ovarian or Uterine Cancer
• Decreased Risk of Mammary Cancer

Average number of litters a fertile cat can produce in one year: 3

Average number of kittens in a feline litter: 4-6

In seven years, one female cat and her offspring can theoretically produce 420,000 cats.

Number of cats and dogs entering shelters each year: 6-8 million (HSUS estimate)

Number of cats and dogs euthanized by shelters each year: 3-4 million (HSUS estimate)

Please be a responsible pet owner and spay/neuter BEFORE your pet breeds.

Remember, if you are not a part of the solution, you are part of the problem…

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This information may also be printed for your convenience: Your Kitten’s Second Visit