We want to support you in whatever concerns you have, whether major or minor. Of course, you’ll be heading to your vet for any serious concerns, but here are some suggestions for help with those everyday issues that may not need a professional visit.
Essential Medical Information for Your New Cat
We do everything in our power to deliver your kitten in shining good health. Even if (as we expect) your kitten appears healthy and has adjusted to your home without any issues, it is still very important to make an appointment and establish your new cat with a veterinarian. This will give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have, and discuss ongoing care. Be sure to bring your cat’s medical history (which we sent home with you).
If your new kitten is acting lethargic, is not eating or drinking, or is showing any other sign of illness, it is important that you contact a veterinarian right away.
Preventive care
Our kittens receive age-appropriate worming, coccidia prevention, and tritrichomonas prevention while in our care. While this addresses the most common parasites, your veterinarian will likely recommend a fecal test during your cat’s veterinary exam to evaluate for any additional parasitic concerns. It’s a good idea to accept this recommendation and make sure everything is perfect.
Other veterinarian care recommendations
The medical care your kitten received is appropriate for life in a closed breeding cattery. Once you bring him or her home, your veterinarian will likely make other recommendations based on your pet’s needs in your home and how you plan on raising your kitten. Those recommendations may include other vaccinations (such as the Feline Leukemia Virus – FeLV – vaccine), other preventatives (such as heartworm preventative), and other tests.
We’re happy to give you any advice you need, but we want you to follow your vet’s recommendations wherever possible. Any vaccines or treatments recommended or required after purchase are the financial responsibility of the purchaser.
Diarrhea & vomit
It is not uncommon for your new cat to have some softer stool, diarrhea, or vomit within a few days of being in its new environment. Some causes are stress, diet and water change, and the common single-celled organisms coccidia and giardia. These symptoms should be mild and should resolve on their own as the kitten adjusts to your home. Rarely, there are more serious causes for diarrhea or vomiting, so if the symptoms continue for more than a few days or are accompanied by lethargy or loss of appetite, please contact a veterinarian.
Coughing & sneezing
Cats get allergies too! Your home is a new environment, with new pollen and dust that your kitten isn’t used to yet. If your cat is sneezing or coughing minimally and there are no other symptoms, you can just watch and wait for the symptoms to subside. If the sneezing or coughing exists in conjunction with other symptoms such as lethargy, lack of appetite, dehydration, or cloudy nasal discharge, you should contact your veterinarian and schedule an appointment immediately.
Hair loss
Hair loss is a symptom of a wide variety of conditions, but by far the most common is a fungal infection called ringworm. Ringworm is a fungus that causes round, circular, hairless, and crusty lesions that can appear on any part of a cat’s body. The fungus that causes ringworm is related to the one that causes athlete’s foot in humans. It’s a common fungus that is present in very small amounts in normal, healthy skin, but when the kitten’s immune system is challenged the small amounts can increase dramatically and cause symptoms. We do not have any cats with symptomatic ringworm at our home, and we would never sell a kitten with ringworm symptoms. However, it’s possible that a kitten adjusting to a new home and recovering from surgery could develop a small spot or two. Ringworm can be contagious to humans, so it is important that you address the symptoms if they occur. There are effective shampoos and creams that will stop the fungus in its tracks.
Vaccination reactions
If you purchased your kitten at twelve weeks, you’ll be responsible for your kitten’s four-month vaccines (if your veterinarian recommends them). It’s common for cats to experience mild vaccine reactions. Mild reactions include minor pain at the injection site, a low fever, acting lazy and sleepy for a day or two, missing a meal, and sometimes very mild swelling of the face or ears. These are not a cause for alarm. Severe reactions include difficulty breathing, major swelling, collapse, and gray or pale gums – if you see severe reactions, go to the emergency veterinarian immediately.
FVRCP — Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia. This vaccination is given to all kittens before leaving our home at eight and eleven weeks of age.
Boosters should be given according to your veterinarian’s recommendation.
Rabies
If we have spayed or neutered your kitten, he or she will receive a rabies vaccine at the surgery time. If you choose to delay spay/neuter, you’ll be responsible for the first rabies vaccine. The initial rabies vaccination is good for one year. From then on, your cat may receive its rabies vaccination every three years.