Jefferson Veterinary Clinic, S.C. - Feline Preventative Care

Preventative health services are key to increasing the duration and quality of life for your pet. We offer a comprehensive line of vaccines to prevent disease. We also have flea, tick and heartworm preventative as well as routine parasite monitoring.

Kitten Vaccines

Vaccinations are a vital part of protecting your kitten against potentially life-threatening diseases.

Core vaccines include:

Rabies:

· Fatal neurologic virus that can be passed to people.

Rabies vaccinations should occur at 12 weeks of age or older and while not required by law with the exception of some cities and townships, it is strongly recommended. Bats are the leading carriers of Rabies in Wisconsin and often fly into homes and come in contact with pets.

Distemper (FVRCP) vaccine provides protection from these potentially life-threatening diseases:

· Feline panleukopenia (feline distemper) - vomiting and diarrheal disease often resulting in death.

· Feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR) - upper respiratory disease with sneezing and eye drainage.

· Feline calicivirus (FCV) - upper respiratory disease with sneezing, eye drainage and fever.

We recommend kittens have their first distemper vaccine at 8 weeks of age with an additional distemper vaccine given 4 weeks later.

Optional vaccine:

Feline Leukemia:

· Virus that lowers immune function and can lead to cancerous processes.

· Recommended for outdoor cats or cats living with a known positive cat.

Talk to your veterinarian to determine if this vaccine is recommended for your cat.

In addition, JVC recommends kittens be tested at 8 weeks of age for Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), two incurable viruses.

Yearly Exams and Vaccination Boosters

Yearly exams are extremely important for maintaining the health and well being of your companion animal. A complete physical exam can alert the veterinarian to potential diseases that can be prevented or treated with early intervention.

· Rabies vaccine should be given yearly. We are using a new Rabies vaccine made just for cats. It’s made with new technology and is the safest vaccine available.

· Distempter (FVRCP) vaccine should be given 12 months after the kitten vaccinations and then every 3 years.

Heartworm Disease

Heartworm is a disease that is transmitted by mosquitoes. A mosquito become infected by taking a blood meal from an infected animal and then taking a blood meal from your cat, it deposits a microscopic form of the heartworm into it's bloodstream. Although outdoor cats are at a greater risk of being infected with heartworm disease, indoor cats can also become infected.

We recommend Advantage Multi for Cats, a topical product applied to your pet once a month, for the prevention of heartworm disease. Advantage Multi for Cats also protects your cat from adult fleas, hookworms, roundworms, and ear mites.

Fleas & Ticks

Fleas and ticks are parasites that can cause significant disease is your companion animal.

Fleas feed off the blood of your pet. They can cause severe itching and skin infections. In addition, fleas can carry tapeworms that can be transmitted to your pet. We recommend Credelio, a chewable tablet, or Frontline Plus or Vectra for Cats which are topical, to prevent your pet from getting fleas. These are safe products that are applied topically to your pet's skin.

Ticks also feed off the blood of your pet. Ticks can be found anywhere, but are mainly located in wooded areas or areas of tall grasses. Ticks can carry many diseases that can cause serious health problems. The key to preventing transmission of these diseases is by using a preventative such as Credelio, Frontline Plus or Vectra for cats.

Parasite Control

Some parasites, such as roundworms and hookworms, can be spread to people.

All kittens should be dewormed and have a fecal exam to ensure they are free of intestinal parasites

All adult cats should have a yearly fecal exam.

Several monthly parasite preventatives are available, including Advantage Multi for Cats and Profender.

Spay and Neuter

We recommend all pets not intended for breeding be spayed or neutered.

Senior Wellness

As your companion animal ages it is important to continue regular examinations. We recommend annual or semi-annual physical exams with possible blood studies. This may enable the veterinarian to detect diseases such as kidney disease, diabetes, and arthritis sooner, resulting in earlier treatment and thus a longer, healthier life for your pet.

Microchipping

A microchip is a form of permanent identification for your pet. A small microchip is inserted through a needle into the back of your pets' neck. The owner's information is linked to a database through the number on the microchip. A special scanner is used to identify the number. If your pet becomes lost, a microchip can help identify and locate the owners.

Feline Wellness

Cats age faster than their owners, so an annual exam is similar to visiting your doctor every 4 to 5 years. Prevention remains the safest and least-expensive option in the long-run for your feline friend. Treatment for preventable disease is often uncomfortable and sometimes painful for pets. Annual wellness exams that address necessary vaccinations and through proactive care are the best options to ensure your cat remains healthy, happy and protect against illness and disease.

Both indoor and outdoor cats are at risk for a wide variety of diseases. Proactive care and prevention remain the best methods to protect your cat. We invite you to discuss preventative care with your veterinarian to ensure your cat’s health needs are regularly addressed.

Every cat is unique with individual needs, which is why it’s important to consider age- and lifestyle- appropriate vaccinations. Your veterinarian can walk you through your options and discuss the most appropriate preventative care.

Many owners avoid taking their cat to the veterinarian because it can cause stress. For helpful tips on taking your cat to the vet, call Jefferson Veterinary Clinic S.C. or visit HaveWeSeenYourCatLately.com.