Congratulations on your new kitten! Thank you for choosing us to help protect and care for your new addition to your family.
At the Canadian Veterinary Hospital in Doha, our kitten wellness program is designed to help get your kitten started on the right path to a long and healthy life. The first few months are a critical period in your kitten’s development, and we can give you the support and tools necessary to help him or her grow into a well-mannered, healthy cat, including information and advice on nutrition, litterbox training, and behaviour.
Schedule your kitten for his or her first exam as soon as possible, especially if you are uncertain or worried about their background. Until your kitten has received a series of vaccines, he or she is susceptible to many serious but preventable diseases. In Doha there are many infectious diseases that put small kittens at great risk. Often they have been exposed or contracted these viruses prior to your taking them home. As there is an incubation period for illnesses, they may appear healthy for a number of days. Having them checked out as soon as possible will increase their chances or a long healthy life.
News homes for the twins!
At CVH, once we have taken a thorough history from you and conducted a complete physical exam, we will discuss with you the right program for your new kitten. When we are sure they are the correct age and healthy, we will vaccinate your new pet against panleukopenia (like canine parvovirus), Rhinotracheitis and Calici (the sneezing upper respiratory) viruses. Based on the vaccination schedule, we will vaccinate for rabies, and depending on your cat’s risk, we may also advise vaccinating him or her against other diseases, such as feline leukemia virus (FeLV). This is especially important for kittens who will be groomed, boarded, go outdoors or live abroad in the future. In addition, your kitten will need to be tested (using a small sample of the stool), and treated for parasites, which are common in young cats.
Most kittens have roundworms, which are intestinal worms that can cause coughing, weight loss, and a potbellied appearance in cats (although they may not cause any symptoms). It is important for kittens to be treated for roundworms, not only to help rid them of the infection but also to prevent you and the rest of your family from becoming infected. Roundworms are a zoonotic parasite, which means they can be transmitted from pets to people. By ensuring that your kitten is tested and treated, you can keep your entire family safe.
Together with you, we will also check your new kitten for external parasites or disease, and discuss with you how to keep them safe and healthy.
If you have further questions about the vaccine or treatment timings, please see our sections on vaccination schedules, intestinal deworming and external parasites.
We look forward to meeting your new kitten! Schedule your appointment today.
