VACCINATIONS

A primary vaccination course is started when your kitten has reached 9 weeks of age. One injection is given followed by a second injection at 12 weeks old. They will have full immunity 7 days after the second vaccination has been given. Annual boosters are required throughout their lives to keep the immunity.

Vaccinations are important to prevent your cat from contracting some infectious and potentially life threatening illnesses. The very young and very old are particularly at risk. By having your cat vaccinated you are minimising the risk to your animal.

The diseases we vaccinate against are:

1.Feline Leukaemia

2.Feline Enteritis

3.Cat Flu

 

Worming

We recommend kittens are wormed every 2 weeks until 12 weeks, then once a month until 6 months old, as some worms can be passed from the mother to the kittens during pregnancy and through her milk.

Once 6 months old we recommend cats be wormed every 3 months as worms are easily picked up in the environment. *Cats that hunt may need to be wormed more often*

Regular worming is important, especially if there are children. A particular roundworm can be passed to humans, in whom it can cause damage to the eye, and in some cases, blindness.

The two main types of worm commonly seen are tapeworms and roundworms. Tapeworms can be identified as they look like grains of rice. Roundworms are 'spaghetti-like' and average around 2-4” in length.

Please contact the clinic to discuss the best treatment for your pet.

FLEA AND TICK TREATMENT

Fleas and ticks are not only a nuisance, but may also cause problems such as skin allergies and disease, which can affect both you and your pet. A single flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day! One bite can trigger a nasty allergic reaction so we recommend cats be treated on a monthly basis to prevent infestation. Ticks can carry various diseases, one of which being Lyme disease. This disease affects not only animals but people too.

Please contact the clinic to discuss which treatment would be best for your pet.

NEUTERING

Spay (for females)

Queens can be spayed from 6 months of age.

The operation involves a general anaesthetic and although routine is a big procedure, where the ovaries and uterus are completely removed. It is recommended where future breeding is not considered.

Also known as an Ovariohysterectomy. The advantages of this operation are:

• No unwanted pregnancies

• No false pregnancies

• Eliminates the risk of ovarian and uterine disease.

• Reduces the risk of mammary tumour's in later life.

The disadvantages of this operation are:

- Your pet may put one weight after being neutered

Castration (for males)

Toms can be castrated from 6 months of age.

The operation involves a general anaesthetic and is a minor procedure compared to neutering a Queen. Both testicles are completely removed. It is recommended where future breeding is not considered.

The advantages of this operation are:

• Less straying in the search of a mate

• Less risk of spraying

• Less likely to fight so less injuries

• Reduces unwanted sexual behaviour

• Eliminates the risk of testicular tumours

• May reduce aggressive tendancies

The disadvantages of this operation are:

- Your pet may put one weight after being neutered

**PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT THE CLINIC FOR ANY INFORMATION OR ADVICE REGARDING YOUR CAT**