Health Care of Your Kitten and Cat.

Vaccinations

Vaccines are necessary to protect against Feline Enteritis and the Cat Flu viruses.

· 1st vaccine at 8 weeks F.E. & Flu vaccinations

· 2nd vaccine at 12-14 weeks F.E. & Flu vaccinations

Pure bred cats should receive a 3rd flu vaccine at 16 weeks because they have an increased susceptibility to cat flu.These are followed by annual boosters at which time your cat has a complete physical examination. Additional vaccines are also available to protect against Feline Leukaemia and Chlamidia infections.

Deworming

Kittens should be dewormed for round worm and hookworm every 2 weeks from 4 weeks of age until they are 12 weeks old. We recommend Drontal tablets or Felex paste.Deworm all adult cats every 3 months against round, hook and tapeworm. We recommend Drontal tablets, or Felex paste. The flea spot on "REVOLUTION" kills all worms (except tapeworm), as well as killing fleas and ear mites.

Feeding

Kittens should receive 3-4 meals daily or have food constantly available. Water should be readily available.Milk can be fed, but milk may cause diarrhoea. Adults should receive 1-2 meals daily. Variety is important in the diet of cats so as to prevent them becoming addicted to a particular food. A mixture of canned food, fresh meat or fish (preferably raw), Dry food, and table leftovers is recommended. Cats love to snack during the day. Dry food may be provided as a snack or as a full meal. Hills Science diet is recommended as a dry food.Avoid liver as it can cause vitamin A imbalances and arthritis in old age.Raw bones are very important for healthy teeth and gums. Chicken wings, chicken necks, or lamb shanks and chops are adequate.

Flea Control

Advantage, Frontline or REVOLUTION, drops applied to the back of the neck are the most affective and safe means of flea control. They kill adult fleas and stop the fleas breeding.In most cats a flea collar gives good control. Flea powder or kitten collars may be used on kittens. However Advantage, Frontline, or REVOLUTION can be applied at a very young age.

Grooming

Healthy adult cats keep themselves well groomed. Long-haired cats develop knots in their coat unless they are regularly brushed. Begin to groom cats when they are young so that they become accustomed to being brushed.

Hairballs

Long haired cats may develop hair balls in their stomachs. This will cause them to feel ill and vomit. Regular grooming to remove excess hair helps. Hair balls can be controlled by feeding Hills Science Diet Hair ball Control Formula, or administering Cat-lax paste.

Desexing

Female Cats should be desexed at 5-6 months of age. This involves a general anaesthetic and surgical removal of the uterus and ovaries. There is no benefit in allowing a cat to have a litter of kittens.

Advantages:

· Prevents unwanted kittens.

· Helps stop cat fights.

Male Cats should be desexed at 5- 6 months of age. This involves a general anaesthetic and surgical removal of both testes.

Advantages:

· Stops the cat's urine odour and helps stop urine spraying. · Desexed males are more affectionate.

· Desexed males fight less and wander less.

Toilet Behaviour

Cats are very clean animals and will use a litter tray where provided. Change the litter regularly using rubber gloves and dispose of the litter hygienically. Cat's faeces may transmit both worms and Toxoplasmosis to humans. Toxoplasmosis can cause abortions in pregnant women. Once a cat has learnt to use litter, it is abnormal for a cat to urinate or defecate inside the house. If this occurs there is usually a health problem.

Feline Aids (FIV)

Feline Aids is a common problem caused by a virus. It is spread through bite wounds during fights. Feline Aids initially causes a fever and lethargy for a short period, then as the cat's immune system weakens other symptoms such as weight loss, diarrhoea, infected teeth and gums, bladder and lung infections appear. Feline Aids can be diagnosed using a simple blood test. Feline Aids is not transferable to humans.

Feline Leukaemia (FeLV)

Feline leukaemia is not common. It is caused by a virus, which is spread during licking and grooming. Feline Leukaemia causes either leukaemia, the formation of tumour masses, anaemia, or a reduced immune response, which leads to secondary infections of the lungs, intestines, mouth, and urinary tract. Symptoms are similar to FIV. Feline Leukaemia can be diagnosed by a simple blood test.

Fighting Behaviour

Cats fight during periods of sexual activity and to defend their "territory". Feline Aids is spread during fights. Fight wounds often form abscesses and the cats can become very sick requiring veterinary assistance. It is best to desex your cat as soon as possible and to ensure they are locked up at night. Wandering stray cats need to be caught and removed.