Kitten’s First Vet Visit

Congratulations! You have adopted (or rescued) a kitten. The most vital act you can do for this kitten is to schedule a vet visit. Finding a good vet can be confusing. A better option is to locate a board certified feline specialist in your area. This can be accomplished by visiting their website, The American Association of Feline Practitioners. A list is provided divided by states. To find a small animal veterinarian, ask your cat-lover friends who they use.

Take the scary out-

• Be smart -Don’t just tuck your kitten into a towel to take into the vet. Even the smallest of kittens can become stressed when entering a vet clinic. A stressed or frightened kitten is likely to bite and scratch. This makes the kitten hard to handle representing a danger to you, the vet tech and the veterinarian. Depending on the actions of the kitten, the terror it holds may make receiving good vet care that day nearly impossible. Worst case scenario, your kitten could slip out of your arms and get lost or hurt quickly.
• Reduce the stress- A vet visit gone bad leaves a lasting impression on your small kitten making future vet visits stressful. Keeping your own stress level down will help.
• Use your head-Always put your kitten into a hard carrier when going to the vet.
• Carrier friendly-Keep your cat carrier out at all times. Your kitten will sleep in, play in or even eat inside. Not advisable to put a litter pan in the carrier (a litter pan in the carrier gives the kitten the impression that peeing and pooping inside is okay.) Don’t leave the kitten to “live” inside the carrier. Kittens need to run and explore Put soft bedding into the carrier for the kitten to use for a bed instead.
• Plump it up- Part of your kitten’s anxiety when traveling concerns the vibration of the engine and the feel of the road. You can put the cat carrier on a few pillows to cushion those vibrations.
• Lock it down- Secure the carrier in your car. The carrier may tip over if you make a sudden stop or you turn a corner quickly. Use your seatbelts or bungee cords to be sure the carrier is secure.
• Cover-up- On hot days, place the carrier inside your car away from the direct sunshine. On cold days, covering the carrier with a dark cover will reassure kitty.
• Harp On It- www.harpofhope.com carries animal therapy CD’s which is soothing to stressed out kitties. Play this music when the kitten is in your car.

Why is it important for a vet to see my kitten?

If you have resident pets, this vet visit is crucial to their health and well-being. If your kitty is showing signs of illness; sneezing, discharge from the eyes or nose these are indicative of an upper respiratory infection or URI. Airborne these pathogens can travel quickly throughout your home. You should schedule a vet visit right away after adopting a kitten.

What happens to my kitten at the vet?

Your kitten will be weighed, his temperature will be taken and the vet will do a hands-on exam addressing any health issues he might see or suspect.

Your kitten will be tested for FeLV and FIV. Depending on the age of the kitten, the kitten will be taken in back  as they draw blood, then they will return the kitten back to your care while they wait for the results of the test.

If the kitten if full of fleas (and most kittens are flea-ridden) fleas can do great damage to the kitten even killing the kitten. If there are fleas, there are tapeworms and perhaps other parasites. Your vet can safely medicate your kitten. If the kitten is old enough and healthy, vaccinations can be given. A spay or neuter will also be scheduled.  It is recommended that even after the vet visit, you isolate your kitten from the other resident pets for at least 3-4 days if not longer.