We cannot wait to meet your new kitten and welcome them into our family! Having a kitten can be a joyous experience, but it’s also a big responsibility. We are here to make sure that your kitten receives the care they need to grow up healthy and strong.

Premature and young kittens tend to be more at risk for medical issues, as their immune system is not yet mature. Therefore, it’s important to bring your new kitten in for a checkup as soon as possible. Kittens that have not had adequate medical care prior to adoption or acquisition may have pre-existing conditions that need to be addressed.

Your Kitten’s First Visit

We ask that you bring your kitten in a closed carrier along with all veterinary records or other paperwork you have pertaining to your kitten’s care. Please bring your kitten in a cat carrier.

During your kitten’s initial visit, we will perform a comprehensive examination and administer the appropriate kitten vaccines. Kittens need a series of vaccinations in the first year of life to protect them from preventable dangerous diseases. We will address any questions you have concerning care for your kitten, such as diet and nutrition, behavioral issues, litter training, and integrating the new kitten into your home.

Your kitten’s first exam will include:

• A comprehensive physical exam

• Kitten vaccines

• Nutritional counseling

• Talk about screening for feline-specific viruses such as Feline Leukemia Virus and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

• Intestinal parasite prevention

• Behavior and litterbox advice

Signs That Your Kitten Needs Immediate Medical Attention

Please also be alert to the following symptoms, as they are signs that your kitten needs immediate care:

• Signs of pain including panting, labored breathing, increased body temperature, lethargy, hiding, restlessness, loss of appetite, reacting aggressively when touched or approached, crying

• Respiratory problems such as persistent coughing, shortness of breath, or labored breathing

• Persistent vomiting or diarrhea

• A wound or laceration that’s open or bleeding

• Animal bites

• Allergic reactions, swelling around the face, hives, or severe itching

• An eye injury

• Seizures

• Fainting or collapse, difficulty standing or getting up

• Blank stare, disorientation

• Exposure to extreme cold or heat

• Trauma such as getting hit by a vehicle or falling

• Suspected poisoning or ingestion of a foreign substance

Please contact us immediately if your kitten is experiencing any of these symptoms.