What you need to know to successfully live with your new Kitten-Cat

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1 What you need to know to successfully live with your new Kitten-Cat Basic information for owners A Publication of Sykesville Veterinary Clinic

2 Table of Contents KITTEN PACKAGES BRONZE SILVER GOLD VACCINATIONS & ANNUAL CHECK UPS ANNUAL CHECK UPS AT OUR CLINIC HELPS PREVENT FELINE HEATH ISSUES HOW WE CHECK FELINE HEALTH WELLNESS OR ILLNESS SYMPTOMS AT OUR CLINIC PREVENTATIVE CARE PREVENTATIVE CARE WILL HELP LOWER THE RISK OF FUTURE HEALTH ISSUES RECEIVING THE PROPER VACCINATIONS WILL IMPROVE YOUR CAT S HEALTH SPAY & NEUTER VISIT OUR CAT SPAY & NEUTER CLINIC AND HELP PROMOTE HEALTHIER LIVES WHEN TO CAT SPAY OR NEUTER AT OUR CLINIC HEALTH BENEFITS OF SPAYING & NEUTERING AT OUR CLINIC

3 Table of Contents DENTISTRY CAT DENTAL CARE SERVICES & TIPS FROM OUR VETERINARY CLINIC COMMON CONDITIONS THAT REQUIRE IMMEDIATE CAT DENTALCARE CAT DENTAL CARE TIPS YOU CAN BEGIN TO USE AT HOME SURGERY OUR CAT SURGERY PROCEDURES ENSURE YOUR CAT S OVERALL WELL-BEING THINGS TO KNOW PRIOR TO POST-CAT SURGERY PROCEDURES SENIOR CAT CARE WE HELP GIVE YOUR AGING CAT THE BEST SENIOR CAT CARE AVAILABLE IT S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE AGING PROCESS OF A SENIOR CAT

4 Kitten Preventative Care Packages BY CHOOSING PACKAGES YOU RECEIVE A 20% DISCOUNT FOR SERVICES

5 Bronze Package First exam and first 3 follow-up exams FELV/FIV/HWT Test: tests for feline leukeimia, feline AIDS and heatworm disease. These diseases are spread from the Momma cat to the kitten during nursing and can be deadly. #3 FVRCP Vaccines: protects against the viruses that cause upper respiratory disease and intestinal disease #2 FELV Vaccines: protects against feline leukeimia disease RABIES VACCINES: protects against rabies disease, which can be transmitted to people #2 FECAL EXAMS: checks for internal parasites which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in kittens and can cause disease in people #2 DEWORMINGS with Pyrantal

6 Silver Package Includes everything in the Bronze Package, plus: 6 MONTH SUPPLY OF ADVANTAGE MULTI: this product prevents fleas, lice, ear mites, heartworm disease and hookworms and roundworms.

7 Gold Package Includes everything in the Silver Package, plus: SPAY/NEUTER: for the prevention of pregnancy, ovarian, uterine and testicular cancer, and territorial marking. All surgeries include preop bloodwork, pain medications and fluid therapy to prevent dehydration HOME AGAIN MICROCHIP: A permanent ID system to help locate your kitten should he/she become lost or stolen FLUID THERAPY: during surgery PAIN MANAGEMENT: during surgery *Individual pricing will be discussed at time of visit. Total price of chosen packages can be made in 3 equal payments. All Puppy/Kitten packages are non transferable and/or non refundable. Fees DO NOT include medications or tests other than those specified.

8 VACCINATIONS & ANNUAL CHECK UPS An Annual Checkup at Our Clinic Helps Prevent Feline Health Problems Bringing your cat into Sykesville Veterinary Clinic for an annual physical exam is good for both you and your feline friend s health. While many people think of cats as low-maintenance pets, they still require an annual exam to ensure their health and happiness remain in great condition. Whether you have a kitten or an adult cat, you should be sure to bring him or her into our clinic for a checkup at least once a year. During this routine exam we will go over some of the following aspects of your cat s health: Vaccination status Potential for exposure to disease (dependent upon whether you have an indoor or outdoor cat) Parasite control for intestinal parasites, fleas, ticks, mites and heartworm Dental health Nutrition Exercise Ears and eyes Stomach and intestines Breathing Coat and skin Legs and feet Urogenital check for any discharges, changes in mammary glands or difficulty urinating Blood tests

9 How We Check Feline Health Wellness or Illness Symptoms at Our Clinic When you bring your cat into the vet for an annual checkup, one of our friendly vet techs or assistants will first weigh your cat. They will then take your cat s temperature with a rectal thermometer. You may be asked to assist with this process, depending on your cat s comfort level. Once these tasks have been performed, the veterinarian will come in and perform a thorough exam and review your cat s health. Annual exams along with recommended blood screening (specifically for older cats), vaccinations, heartworm testing and parasite control will all help your cat live a longer and happier life. If you have any questions about our annual checkups, please be sure to contact our clinic today.

10 PREVENTATIVE CARE Preventive Care Will Help Lower the Risk of Future Cat Health Issues Sykesville Veterinary Clinic provides a wide range of preventive care services to help your cat live a longer, healthier and happier life. We believe in the importance of providing pet owners with information and services that will help increase the odds of detecting problems in your cat s health early on. Our friendly team of veterinarians and assistants strive to make annual preventive care recommendations based on your cat s history and current health. We will also take into consideration your cat s age, lifestyle and other hereditary factors. Beyond visiting our clinic for an annual check-up, we also have the following suggestions in regards to vaccinations and information on common cat diseases you should be aware of.

11 Receiving the Proper Vaccinations Will Improve Your Cat s Health Making sure your cat is properly vaccinated is one of the most important steps you can take to help him or her live a happy and healthy life. Vaccines work to combat common diseases that cats are faced with on a day-today basis. The different vaccines we offer include: Feline Panleukopenia (also called Feline Distemper) This virus is caused by feline parvovirus and is extremely vicious Feline Calcivirus This virus causes the majority of upper respiratory infections in cats Feline Herpes Virus This is a serious virus that oftentimes affects kittens Rabies A virus that attacks the nervous system

12 Receiving the Proper Vaccinations Will Improve Your Cat s Health Part 2 Your kitten can begin to receive the first series of vaccines when he or she is around six to eight weeks of age. Be sure to consult with your veterinarian to see which vaccinations may be required by law and which would be most beneficial to your cat. Cats are susceptible to upper respiratory infection and internal and external parasites, which is why it is important for you to bring him or her in for regular checkups. Our friendly staff will be able to give you more information on the most common diseases that affect cats, as well as other things you should keep an eye out for. The key to helping your cat lead a happy, healthy life is to educate yourself on what to be aware of and to be in touch with your vet on a regular basis.

13 SPAY & NEUTER Visit Our Cat Spay and Neuter Clinic and Help Promote Healthier Lives Sykesville Veterinary Clinic has a committed and friendly staff that strive to provide you with all the necessary resources and information to care for your cat. We are also strong advocates for the importance of spaying and neutering your cat, which is why we not only offer these services but are here to answer any questions you may have. As a cat spay and neuter clinic we remove their ability to breed while also helping to promote a healthier and longer life for them. Spaying or neutering your cat should be done at a specific age (if possible) and has a handful of important health benefits, some of which we will go over below.

14 When to Cat Spay or Neuter at a Clinic Our staff of professionals recommends that you should get your kitten spayed as young as eight weeks old. It is possible to do this procedure after this time frame has passed, but this is something that should be discussed with your veterinarian in order to make the best decision for you and your feline companion. After the procedure has been performed, you will receive a set of care instructions and information from your vet regarding your cat s recovery and medication to help with the pain. In some cases, a cone may need to be given in order to prevent licking and scratching of the wound.

15 The Health Benefits of Spaying and Neutering at Our Clinic Female cats should be spayed in order to decrease the chances of your cat developing breast cancer. Spaying also works to eliminate the chances of your female cat developing ovarian or uterine cancer. Male cats should be neutered in order to prevent the chances of them getting testicular cancer. Neutering will also help reduce the risk of injury and transmission of disease, as unaltered male cats tend to roam and get into fights with other cats. Sykesville Veterinary Clinic also realizes the importance of the significant number of animals looking for their forever homes. Because of this, we are giving a discount to individuals who adopt pets from our local shelter, The Baltimore Humane Society.

16 DENTISTRY Cat Dental Care Services and Tips from Our Veterinary Clinic Dental disease is all-too common overlooked and under-treated in cats, which is where Sykesville Veterinary Clinic comes in. We believe in the importance of caring for your cat s teeth, gums and mouth, which is why we offer cat dental care services and tips for you to follow when at home with your cat. In addition to following the below cat dental care tips, it is important for you to be aware of some of the signs that may indicate your cat is in need of dental assistance. During your cat s annual physical examination, our Sykesville team will perform a thorough inspection of your cat s mouth. Some of the most common oral problems we find during the examination include tartar, red gums, fractured teeth, cavities and even orthodontic abnormalities.

17 Common Conditions that Require Immediate Cat Dental Care The dental conditions that are most common to cats include the following: Juvenile gingivitis the inflammation of the gums Mouth ulcers ulcer s found on your cat s tongue and gums Fractured teeth Salicary cyst when the salivary glands or ducts that carry saliva into the mouth become blocked Periodontitis when gingivitis invades the tooth socket Rodent ulcer this is a slowly enlarging sore or swelling on the upper lip If your cat is suffering from any of the symptoms above associated with the respective disease, be sure to contact your Sykesville vet as soon as possible.

18 Cat Dental Care Tips You Can Begin to Use at Home At-home tooth brushings are an important part of ensuring the overall health and wellness of your cat. Brushings should be performed in conjunction with checking his or her breath, examining the gums and teeth and having a good understanding of what signs may indicate a more serious problem. Since your cat cannot tell you when he has a dental or oral disease, it is important to perform regular oral examinations at home and bring him or her into our clinic for routine cleanings and checkups.

19 SURGERY Our Cat Surgery Procedures Ensure Your Cat s Overall Well-being There are a handful of cat surgeries performed at Sykesville Veterinary Clinic, including spay and neuter, dental procedures, growth removal and bladder stones. It should be noted that here at Sykesville we do not offer orthopedic or cardiac care, but we can refer you and your cat to a specialist that we trust. If your cat requires a surgical procedure that can be performed at our clinic, we have a handful of pre- and postcare instructions that will help ensure the overall health and wellness of your feline. Most cats will need to have an operation of some kind at some stage in their life, which is why it is important for you to be aware of the various types as well as care instructions. Nowadays most operations performed on cats are fairly safe, but it is important to remember that the recovery time and treatment plan will depend on the type of cat surgery and quality of care that is given before and after the operation.

20 Things to Know Prior to or Post-Cat Surgery Procedure Before your cat is taken in for an operation, it may be a good idea for you to arrange to take some time off of work. This will allow you to be able to care for your cat throughout the duration of the recovery period. While the risks of complications during and after surgery are low, it is will a good idea for you to be present and aware of the possible issues that may arise. It is also a good idea to make sure your cat is up-to-date with his vaccinations before surgery, as this can lower his risk of infectious disease. Your vet will provide you with specific post-operation care instructions after your cat s surgery. If you have any questions leading up to the surgery or during the recovery process, please do not hesitate to contact our clinic.

21 SENIOR CAT CARE We Help Give Your Aging Cat the Best Senior Cat Care Available An essential part of dog care that cannot be overlooked is house training your puppy with knowledge, patience and determination. Puppies must be taught that it s improper behavior to urinate or defecate in the house. As cats enter their golden years their senior cat care needs may change. In order to help elderly cats with health and behavior concerns, our veterinary team is here to provide you with all the necessary information that will allow you to look after them as they age. While the lifespan of a cat may vary, it is helpful to understand what changes your cat may exhibit as he or she ages. We recommend bringing your senior cat into our clinic for a semiannual health exam, as well as diagnostic testing, X-rays and fecal exams. In addition to knowing what to look for as your cat ages and bringing him or her in for physical and wellness check-ups, it may also be necessary to adjust your cat s diet.

22 It s Important to Understand the Aging Process of a Senior Cat The aging process for a cat is accompanies by many physical and behavioral changes, including some of the following: Senior cats are less likely to scratch, which means you will need to have their nails trimmed on a regular basis Older cats are likely to experience a loss of hearing Be sure your vet checks his or her ears for parasites, infections or other medical problems that may contribute to a loss of hearing Senior cats will likely require grooming help since they may no longer be able to clean themselves Frequent brushing is one of the most important things you can do to prevent your cat from swallowing too much hair For information on diet changes and additional tips for senior cat care, be sure to contact our friendly team of experts at Sykesville Veterinary Clinic. We are here to help make you the best possible cat owner and ensure your pet lives a long, healthy life.

23 Was the information in this book helpful? What other information would you like to know? Let us know at: Sykesville Veterinary Clinic 20 Liberty Rd., Suite C Sykesville, MD Check out our web site for more information: Veterinary-Clinic /? ref=aymt_homepage_panel A Publication of Sykesville Veterinary Clinic