Congratulations on bringing home a little bundle of joy! It's important to schedule your kitten's first veterinary appointment and routine exams for the future. To help you prepare, our vets in Chino Hills will discuss what to expect at your kitten's first appointment.
When should you take a kitten for the first vet visit?
When you bring home a kitten, it should be examined by a veterinarian within the first week. This is essential for the kitten's health and to prevent the spread of any contagiousinfections. If the kitten displays signs of illness, such as watery eyes, sneezing, difficulty breathing, or an inability to eat, it should be examined as soon as possible.
What to bring to the veterinarian appointment?
Some things are nice to have ready before the initial checkup, whether you go immediately to the doctor after picking up your new kitten or after a day or two at home. These include:
- Any information and paperwork provided by the shelter or breeder
- Notes of any concerns you have about the kitten
- Stool sample
- Cat carrier
- Cat Treats
Bring any adoption documentation with you if you're taking your kitten to the vet for the first time. Your veterinarian should also be aware of any previous treatments or immunizations given to the kitten. If this is impossible, remember what you were told at the adoption to avoid forgetting.
What does a physical exam consist of?
The staff and veterinarian will perform a physical examination on your kitten. They will also look for parasites, such as fleas and mites. Your veterinarian will examine your kitten's eyes, ears, lips, skin, coat, and entire body. This includes palpating the abdomen to feel the organs and listening to the heart and lungs with a stethoscope. A stool sample may also be collected to determine your underlying health problems.
For optimal health, weaning time, and socialization, kittens should be adopted at eight to ten weeks. If your kitten is young, especially six weeks or under, the vet must examine the kitten's nutrition and hydration status and offer any necessary supplementation.
What lab tests will your kitten need?
Your kitten will likely need a fecal exam and a blood test.
Fecal Exam: You will likely need to provide a fecal sample from your kitten to the vet for testing for parasites like intestinal worms and giardia. Your vet may also give deworming medication at each visit since not all parasites can be detected by fecal tests, and many kittens have them. It's important to eliminate these parasites from your cat as they can be transmitted to humans.
Blood Test: The American Association of Feline Practitioners recommends that all newly adopted cats, regardless of age, be tested for FeLV and FIV. If your kitten is younger than nine weeks old, your veterinarian may advise you to delay testing until at least nine weeks. If you have other cats in the house with your kitten, keep them separated until they have tested negative, in case your new kitten has a transmissible disease.
How much will the first vet visit cost?
The first vet visit and subsequent routine exams can vary from vet to vet, cat to cat, and pet to pet. For an accurate estimate of cost, don't hesitate to get in touch with your veterinarian directly.
What questions should I ask at my kitten's first vet visit?
Here is a list of questions you can ask your veterinarian during your initial visit. Of course, there are many more questions you can ask, and we encourage you to do so, but these should get you started on the path to responsible cat ownership:
- Is my cat a healthy weight?
- Are they eating the right food and getting proper nutrition?
- Are they sleeping too much or too little?
- What resources are available at this vet clinic? (ex. X-rays, labs, etc.)
- Are there any common parasites or pests in the area? How can I prevent them?
- Is cat insurance worth it, and if so, who do you recommend?
- Do you have any grooming recommendations for my cat?
- Are there any vaccinations my cat needs?
- Where are the nearby emergency services for off-hours or holidays?
- What do you recommend for flea and tick prevention?
- How is my cat’s dental health?
- Any cat food label questions, such as how to read them, what to look for, etc.