Have you just brought home a new kitten? To ensure your furry friend's health and well-being, you should book their first vet appointment and routine exams. To help you prepare, our Tucson vets offer a guide on what to expect during your kitten's first appointment.
When to Take Your Kitten to the Vet
When bringing a newborn kitten home, it is crucial to have it examined by a veterinarian. This checkup is important for the kitten's well-being and will help ensure that it does not carry any contagious diseases. If you notice any signs of illness, such as watery eyes, sneezing, difficulty breathing, or loss of appetite, it is highly recommended that you take your kitten to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
What to Bring to the Appointment With Your Veterinarian
Our vets recommend having certain things ready before taking your new kitten to the vet for an initial checkup, whether you go immediately after picking them up or wait a day or two at home. These items include:
- Any information and paperwork provided by the shelter or breeder
- Notes of any concerns you have about the kitten
- Stool sample
- Cat carrier
- Cat treats
When taking your kitten to the vet for the first time, it's important to bring all the adoption documentation.
This will help the veterinarian understand the kitten's background and be aware of any previous treatments or immunizations given to the kitten.
If you can't bring the documentation, write down all the information you were told during the adoption process to avoid forgetting it.
What does a physical exam consist of?
When you take your kitten to the vet, they will ask you questions about the kitten's health and perform a physical examination to ensure there are no health issues, such as fleas and mites.
During the physical examination, the veterinarian will carefully inspect the kitten's eyes, ears, lips, skin, coat, and body. They will also feel the organs in the abdomen and use a stethoscope to listen to the heart and lungs. Additionally, the vet may collect a stool sample to check for any underlying health problems.
Kittens should be adopted between 8 and 10 weeks of age to ensure optimal health, and that they've been properly weaned and socialized. If your kitten is younger than six weeks, the vet will assess its nutrition and hydration status and provide any necessary supplementation.
What lab tests will your kitten need?
Your kitten will likely need diagnostic testing, including a fecal exam and a blood test.
Fecal Exam: Your veterinarian will likely ask you to bring a fecal sample from your kitten for testing. This test aims to identify parasites such as intestinal worms, giardia, and other possible issues. However, it is important to note that not all intestinal parasites are detected by fecal tests, and a significant percentage of kittens may have them. Removing parasites from your cat is critical, as some can also be transmitted to humans.
Blood Test: The American Association of Feline Practitioners suggests that all newly adopted cats, regardless of age, should undergo testing for FeLV and FIV. If your kitten is less than nine weeks old, your veterinarian may suggest postponing the test until it reaches nine weeks. If your new kitten has a transmissible disease, it is advisable to keep it separated from other cats in the house until they have tested negative.
How much will the first vet visit cost?
The cost of the first vet visit and subsequent routine exams can vary based on the vet and your cat's individual circumstances. For an accurate estimate of the cost, please contact your veterinarian directly.
What questions should I ask at my kitten's first vet visit?
Here is a helpful list of questions you can ask your veterinarian during your first visit. While there are many more questions you can ask, these should help you get started on the journey to becoming a responsible cat owner:
- Is my cat a healthy weight?
- Are they eating the right food and getting proper nutrition?
- Are they sleeping too much or too little?
- What resources are available at this vet clinic? (ex. X-rays, labs, etc.)
- Are there any common parasites or pests in the area? How can I prevent them?
- Is cat insurance worth it, and if so, which company do you recommend purchasing this from?
- Do you have any grooming recommendations for my cat?
- Are there any vaccinations my cat needs?
- Where are the nearby emergency and urgent care services for off-hours or holidays?
- What do you recommend for flea and tick prevention?
- How is my cat's dental health? Are any dental care treatments needed?
- Any questions about cat food labels, such as how to read them, what to look for, etc.