WE WANT TO PARTNER WITH YOU IN CREATING YOUR KITTEN’S CUSTOMIZED
HEALTHCARE PLAN.
No two kittens are exactly alike, so we’ll work with you to discuss their specific needs.
It’s hard to resist the cuteness of a new kitten. Their gentle meows and purrs, their soft fur, and their tiny paws are enough to make even the toughest person smile, so we know that adding one to the family is an exciting time! At Harlingen Veterinary Clinic, our team loves kittens, too, and has years of experience in caring for them, so you can be confident that they’ll be in good hands with us.
Your Kitten’s First Wellness Exam
One of our goals with every young feline patient is to help them get started on the right paw by conducting the initial wellness exam and educating their owners. We recommend that kittens have their first veterinary visit when they’re around 8 weeks of age.
During this initial appointment at our clinic, we’ll examine your cat from nose to tail and check all their vitals. We can also test for intestinal parasites, so be sure to bring in a fresh stool sample for the test. We will then create a personalized healthcare plan that includes a tailored vaccination schedule. If you’re a first-time kitten owner, we’ll also give you all the basic information you need to keep your kitty healthy at home.
Kitten Vaccinations
Cat vaccines protect against a range of health conditions, including panleukopenia, calicivirus, and viral rhinotracheitis. Vaccines should be administered several times within the first few months of your kitten’s life, starting around 6 weeks of age, followed by boosters at least once a year throughout adulthood.
Your kitten’s healthcare plan will include a series of core (essential) vaccines, but if your kitten spends a lot of time outdoors or around other cats, we may also recommend some non-core (lifestyle-based) vaccines. The following chart is a standard kitten vaccination schedule:
6-10 Weeks
FVRCP (feline distemper)
11-14 Weeks
FVRCP (feline distemper), FeLV (feline leukemia), rabies vaccine
15+ Weeks
FVRCP (feline distemper) and FeLV (feline leukemia)
Kitten Healthcare Tips
- Spaying and Neutering: We recommend having your cat spayed/neutered around 5 to 6 months of age. These procedures can provide several health and behavioral benefits for your feline friend.
- Diet: Look for protein-rich kitten food, which will provide your cat with the complete, balanced diet formulated to meet their needs as they grow.
- Parasite Prevention: For your convenience, we have an in-house pharmacy where we carry a range of parasite prevention products, including topical and chewable medications as well as Seresto collars.
Have questions? Give us a call or let us know at your next visit. We look forward to meeting you and your new kitty!
