Kitten Care

Congratulations On Your New Kitten! 

At Youngs Animal Hospital, we love new kittens and we can’t wait to meet the newest addition to your family. We want to partner with you to keep your unconditionally-loving companion, friend and new family member healthy and happy.  For your kitten’s long term health, our veterinarians recommend that we examine your kitten as soon as possible to identify any potential health issues early on. We will answer all your questions about caring for your kitten, including food and nutrition questions, vaccinations, other health topics and behavioral issues.

Talk to us about your kitten’s nutritional needs and the proper food for your kitten.  There are so many food choices available on the market we want you to be able to choose the right food for your kitten.  Your kitten’s diet can make all the difference in his or her future health and well-being.

We recommend testing your kitten for Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus on an annual basis.  Testing for these diseases is very important, especially if you have another cat in the house. We also recommend for all cats, annual vaccinations, heartworm preventatives, and ear mite and intestinal parasite exams according to their individual needs.  We also recommend that all cats be spayed or neutered.

Your kitten will need to be vaccinated at around age two months, three months and four months. We strongly recommend an annual wellness visit so that your kitten’s health and vaccination schedule can be maintained. Remember that vaccines are not a treatment; they are a prevention to make sure your kitten will remain healthy over his or her lifetime.

On Your First Visit, Please Bring With You:

• Your kitten in a pet carrier and a leash

• All health or vaccination information the seller or shelter provided to you, such as history of vaccines or worming
• Fecal sample less than 24 hours old

The Initial Exam Will Include:

• Comprehensive physical exam. 
• Discussion with you of the appropriate vaccination schedule for your kitten’s breed and anticipated lifestyle and the development of a vaccination schedule
• Necessary vaccines or vaccine boosters
• Heartworm preventative
• Flea/tick prevention.  We will discuss the best options for your new kitten.
• Intestinal parasite testing and deworming if necessary
• Necessary vaccine boosters
• Testing for Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).

The Following Are Signs That Your Kitten Needs Immediate Care.  If Your Kitten Is Exhibiting Any Of The Following Symptoms, Please Give Us A Call:

• Signs that the kitten has swallowed something poisonous such as mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting, seizures, or fever
• Bleeding you can’t stop
• Difficulty breathing
• Unconsciousness or lethargy
• Staggering or seizures
• Blood in urine or feces
• Pooping more than twice in an hour or straining in the litter box with no results
• Repeat  vomiting in a short time or diarrhea with vomiting
• Signs of pain, such as swelling or inability to use his/her leg