Kitten Care

Congratulations On Your New Kitten! 

At Jonesborough Animal Hospital, we love new kittens and we can’t wait to meet the newest addition to your family. We want to partner with you to keep your unconditionally-loving companion, friend and new family member healthy and happy.

For your kitten’s long term health, our veterinarians recommend that we examine your kitten as soon as possible to identify any potential health issues early on. We will answer all your questions about caring for your kitten, including food and nutrition questions, vaccinations, other health topics and behavioral issues.

Talk to us about your kitten’s nutritional needs and the proper food for your kitten.  There are so many food choices available on the market we want you to be able to choose the right food for your kitten.  Your kitten’s diet can make all the difference in his or her future health and well-being.

We recommend testing your kitten for Feline Leukemia and FIV (Feline Aids) on first visit. We may recommend annual testing depending on your pet’s lifestyle. Feline Leukemia vaccine is recommended for all outdoor cats or indoor cats exposed to cats that go outside. We recommend all outdoor cats should be on monthly heartworm prevention, flea and tick control, and intestinal worm control.

Vaccinations should be started at 6 weeks of age and boosted until 14 weeks of age. Rabies vaccines will be given at 12 weeks of age. We recommend an annual wellness visit so your kitten’s health and vaccination status can be maintained. Remember vaccines are not a treatment, they are a prevention to make sure your kitten will remain healthy over his or her lifetime.

On Your First Visit, Please Bring With You:

• Your kitten in a pet carrier
• All health or vaccination information the seller or shelter provided to you, such as history of vaccines or worming
• Fecal sample less than 24 hours old

The Initial Exam Will Include:

• Comprehensive physical exam 
• Discussion with you of the appropriate vaccination schedule for your kitten’s breed and anticipated lifestyle and the development of a vaccination schedule
• Necessary vaccines or vaccine boosters
• Heartworm preventative
• Flea/tick prevention.  We will discuss the best options for your new kitten.
• Intestinal parasite testing and deworming if necessary
• Necessary vaccine boosters
• Testing for Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).

The Following Are Signs That Your Kitten Needs Immediate Care.  If Your Kitten Is Exhibiting Any Of The Following Symptoms, Please Give Us A Call:

• Signs that the kitten has swallowed something poisonous such as mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting, seizures, or fever
• Bleeding you can’t stop
• Difficulty breathing
• Unconsciousness or lethargy
• Staggering or seizures
• Blood in urine or feces
• Pooping more than twice in an hour or straining in the litter box with no results
• Repeat  vomiting in a short time or diarrhea with vomiting
• Signs of pain, such as swelling or inability to use his/her leg