Cats

Looking after your cat

  • Vaccinations
  • Fleas, Ticks and Worms
  • Neutering
  • Microchipping

Vaccinations

Kittens should be vaccinated from 8-9 weeks of age with the primary course of vaccinations. The second part of which is then given 3-4 weeks afterwards This covers them against:

  • Feline calicivirus (FCV)
  • Feline herpes virus (FHV)
  • Feline panleucopaenia virus (FPLV)

At risk animals should also be vaccinated against feline leukaemia (FeLV).

It is recommended that at risk animals are those which go outside. Whether or not your cat needs FeLV can be discussed with your vet.

Annual vaccination should then be continued lifelong.

Fleas, Ticks and Worms

Fleas

Fleas are an ever present source of irritation to both pets and owners. Generally fleas can lead to problems with skin irritation, allergies and secondary infections that may need veterinary treatment. They can also spread tapeworms if swallowed while grooming and can be involved in spread of feline leukaemia. Flea infestations in young kittens can cause severe anaemia and even death due to the volume of blood taken by fleas feeding.

They are easily prevented/treated using appropriate flea control products regularly.

Our staff can advise you and provide suitable products for your cat.

Ticks

Tick numbers are on the increase due to changes in climate. Ticks can cause local irritation, secondary infections, self trauma and swellings at attachment site which may need veterinary treatment. It is important that if you remove ticks you retrieve the head and mouthparts as well as the body.

Our reception staff can show you how to use a very simple, effective tick remover and can advise on tick treatment/prevention.

Worms

Your cat should be generally be wormed every 3 months, although advice may vary depending on your cat's lifestyle.

Cats get round and tapeworms. Tapeworms are associated with hunting and with ingestion of fleas when grooming. Roundworm eggs are passed in faeces and can remain infective in the environment for long periods of time. Ingestion of these eggs results in infection. They are also passed in milk from the queen, hence the importance of worming kittens regularly for roundworm.

There is a small human health risk caused by Toxocara cati, with children being most at risk of coming into contact with eggs in the environment. Regular worming can reduce this risk.

Our staff can advise you and provide suitable products for your animal.

Neutering

Male cats are generally castrated at 5-6 months old.

Female cats are generally spayed at 5-6 months old.

To discuss neutering your cat, please book in to have a free of charge neutering check with one of our vets.

Microchipping

Microchipping is an invaluable way of easily and permanently identifying your cat. It is a tiny implant, approximately the size of a long grain piece of rice, which is implanted beneath the skin. It carries an identification number which can be read with a scanner. This number is then held on a national database alongside your registered details.

If your details change, please remember to update the microchip details.

Contact the Petlog website at: www.petlog.org.uk

Lost or Found Cats

If you do lose your cat, contact all the local veterinary practices and the Cats Protection League. For the local Cats Protection League, contact: 01256 892019. If you find a lost cat, please bring it into the surgery so it can be scanned.

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