Keeping Your Kitten Healthy

The spring and summer months are the kitten season. There are a few simple things you can do to insure your kitten is enjoying the best possible health. The first thing you should do is have your kitten examined by your favorite veterinarian when it is eight weeks or older. During this first check-up the cat will be examined physically.

Its ears, eyes, teeth and body condition will be checked,
The doctor will listen to its heart and lungs,
It will be examined for external parasites, such as fleas and ticks,
And some questions will be asked to ensure that your kitten is eating properly.

You veterinarian might suggest a specific kitten food to aide in his or her growth. During this examination the veterinarian will ask about the mother of your new companion. If there is any doubt about the mother's health a feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia (FeLV) test will be suggested. These two diseases are the leading cause of infectious illness and death among cats. If the mother is infected there is a good chance that her baby is too; kittens do not always show signs of the illness. Currently there is no cure for FIV or feline leukemia, but if you kitten is infected there are ways to manage the illness so that it can live a healthier, happier life.

Know the signs of common cat illnesses and health problems. Parasites can cause a kitty to feel miserable and often are easily detected when handling your pet or cleaning their litter box.

Ear mites cause itching and irritation. Cats will scratch or shake their heads when infected. Usually, looking into the ear under a light will show black discharge or blood. Cats can pass ear mites on to other cats.
Fleas are another bug that causes scratching. Look for bug bites on your cats skin and for the actual flea. Don't take chances with fleas, serious side effects of flea infestations include tape worm, anemia, skin infections and more.
Ticks carry dangerous and infectious diseases. Look for ticks on your cat or dog or signs that a tick has been there. Ticks can be as big as ¼" in diameter or as small as a pencil tip. They are disc-like with a tapered head. If you find a tick on your pet, do not remove it. Call your local veterinarian right away. Serious health issue can arise from tick bites.
Mosquitoes can infect a pet with heartworm, a parasite that resides in the heart and, over time, causes serious heart damage and death.
Fecal parasites, such as hookworm, roundworm, Giardia and others, can create serious health problems if left undetected.

Your veterinarian will suggest a schedule for vaccinating your kitten and preventive measures to guard against disease. Vaccinations include, rabies vaccine, feline distemper virus vaccine, feline leukemia virus vaccine, and calicivirus vaccine. An exam while your new friend is a baby, followed by a program of annual testing, vaccines, and physical exams-will help keep your cat healthy for a lifetime and provide you with peace of mind.

Your veterinarian will also schedule your kitten for a spay or neuter procedure. Many counties in Colorado require that animals be spayed or neutered. It also helps reduce pet overpopulation and behavioral problems such as spraying, fighting, and roaming. Your cat will be healthier because this procedure reduces certain reproductive organ cancers and deters the spread of diseases like leukemia and FIP.

Along with having your kitten examined by your veterinarian, kitten proof your home as much as possible. Just like a human baby, kitten are curious and want to explore ever corner of the house, often by chewing on, climbing up, or crawling under anything that seems interesting. Remove plants that are known to be poisonous, such as Boston and English Ivy, bird of paradise, caladium, poinsettia, lillies, philodendron, and rhododendron to name a few.

Kittens are energetic. If they are not climbing your drapes or digging up your twenty-year old jade plant, they are sleeping peacefully on your favorite black cashmere sweater. With time their antics wane and they become more and more interested in being a member of the family. Above all else, they rely on us to take care of them from the beginning and in return will give us years of love.

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