You added a new kitten to your family. Now it's important to give them lots of love and care, including their initial veterinary checkup. Here, our vets in Louisiana discuss what to expect at your newborn kitten's first vet visit, provide a list of what to bring, and offer some questions to ask.
When to Take Your Kitten for Their First Vet Visit
When you get a new kitten, the first thing you should do is schedule a vet visit. This is important for your kitten's health and to ensure it does not share any communicable infections. If the kitten shows 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 Your Newborn Kitten's First Vet Visit
There are a few things that will make the vet visit go smoothly. 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
You should always bring adoption paperwork to the first veterinary appointment and inform your veterinarian about the kitten's previous treatments or vaccinations.
What happens during my kitten's physical examination?
During your kitten's first vet visit, the staff and veterinarian will interview you and physically examine your kitten. They will also search for other parasites, such as fleas and mites. The veterinarian will examine your kitten's eyes, ears, lips, skin, coat, and entire body. The healthcare provider palpates the abdomen to feel the organs and listens to the heart and lungs with a stethoscope. They may also collect a stool sample 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 will examine the kitten's nutrition and offer any necessary supplementation.
What laboratory tests will my kitten need?
Your kitten will likely need a fecal exam and a blood test.
Fecal Exam: Your veterinarian will almost certainly ask you to bring a fecal sample from your kitten for testing for parasites such as intestinal worms, giardia, and other possible issues. Your vet may administer deworming medication at each appointment because not all fecal tests detect all intestinal parasites, and a significant percentage of kittens have them. Humans can contract many parasites, so removing them from your cat is crucial.
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 less 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.
Kitten Vaccinations in Louisiana
During a routine visit, we administer vaccinations and booster shots for kittens (and puppies) at our vet clinic in Louisiana. These are designed to help protect them against several serious diseases and illnesses.
What is the cost of your kitten's first vet visit?
A kitten's (or puppy's) first vet visit in Louisiana can vary in cost depending on several factors. These can include the breed and age of your new furry friend, the expertise of the veterinary professional and what they have done during the visit.
What should you ask the vet during your kitten's first visit?
You may want to ask many questions while at your kitten's checkup. Some of the ones we are commonly asked are:
- 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? (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?
- 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.
- Do you have any grooming recommendations for my cat?
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. Please make an appointment with your vet to accurately diagnose your pet's condition.