Caring for your new kitten...

   Cats can be a very advantageous house pets. They don't bark, don't each very much and are easier to train than dogs or kids. They also bite a lot fewer humans than dogs.

   At Dougherty Veterinary we recommend cats to be fed commercial cat foods of good quality - either all dry food or dry and wet (canned) combinations. The canned foods should not contain fish or fish by-products. Remember young animals need many more calories per pound per day then animals over ten months of age. Therefore, food intake should decrease once the animal is mature cats can have ambitious appetites and if allowed, will eat too much and their waste lines will expand. Sounds familiar doesn't it?

Don't overfeed your cat!

   It is in most instances, better for the cat not to be allowed outside unless supervised. A cat outside is a cat at risk (Examples: hit by car, bit by another cat, dog or other wild animal).

   The cat is the most exposed animal to rabid wild animals. It is also exposed to infectious diseases and various parasites, some transmissible to humans.

   A disease process that merits discussion is infection of the urinary system. The first signs are abnormal urination habits (Examples: cat urinating outside the litter box, apparent pain when urinating, urinating more times per than usual).

   The male cats penis may become plugged with by-products of the infection and he cannot urinate. He may look like he is constipated. * This is an emergency, call us immediately!

When do I vaccinate my cat?

1). Well kitten exams monthly until kitten has passed 4 months of age.

A. Monthly fecal checks to detect possible worms.

B. Cat distemper vaccine administered during these visits.

C. Rabies given at 4 months of age.

2). Cat distemper and/or respiratory vaccine given yearly.

3). Rabies vaccine given every year or as often as determined by veterinarian and owner.

4). Spaying or neutering as soon as possible after 4 months of age.

5). Leukemia vaccine yearly for high exposure cats.

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