8 Post-Adoption Wellness Checks

There are few issues extra thrilling than bringing a cat or a kitten into your house for the primary time. Before an grownup cat or kitten takes up everlasting residence in your house, a go to to the veterinarian is with the intention to make sure that issues begin out on the precise paw. Let’s assessment your kitty’s wellness guidelines.

1. Check for FeLV and FIV

First issues first: Confirm your new cat’s virus standing. It’s exhausting to think about an adoption company inserting a cat for adoption with out testing for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). FeLV is among the most feared viruses in cats. Adult cats who contract this virus might reside for months (or maybe years) if well-cared for at residence, however kittens who contract FeLV hardly ever survive quite a lot of weeks after the prognosis is made.

FIV is the feline equal of human HIV. It’s not as lethal as FeLV, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a major concern. Cats who check constructive for FIV ultimately develop into extra vulnerable to quite a lot of infectious illnesses and cancers because the virus slowly weakens the immune system. Even if the cat has been examined by the adoption facility, I like to recommend repeating the check on the first go to so there isn’t a doubt.

2. Confirm your cat has been spayed or neutered

Cats and kittens are great, however there isn’t a must carry any extra of them into the world. Many shelters spay or neuter kittens very early, round 8 weeks of age. It could be fairly stunning for an adoption facility to launch an grownup cat who hasn’t been sterilized.

If your kitten hasn’t been sterilized, it must be accomplished as quickly as sensible, usually round 5 months of age. For male cats, the reproductive standing is straightforward to verify: Just elevate up the tail and take a peek. If a feminine cat has been adopted out and there are not any information to point that she has been spayed, your veterinarian can shave the stomach and search for a spay scar.

3. Get vaccinations

To make sure that cats stay wholesome, their vaccination standing have to be present. Feline vaccinations are categorized as both “core” or “non-core.” Core vaccinations are people who each cat ought to obtain. Non-core vaccinations are people who might or is probably not obligatory, relying on that cat’s life-style.

CORE: All cats must be vaccinated in opposition to the herpes and calicivirus. These viruses are the principle culprits in inflicting higher respiratory infections. Panleukopenia is a viral illness that causes extreme (typically deadly) diarrhea in kittens and can also be a core vaccine. All cats must be vaccinated in opposition to rabies, as nicely.

Other non-core vaccines can be found for cats (Bordetella, Chlamydia, and so forth.). Whether they’re applicable will depend on your cat’s life-style. Your veterinarian can advise you additional.

4. Examine for URIs

Upper respiratory infections (URIs) are widespread in newly adopted cats, particularly kittens. They’re primarily viral in nature and might typically trigger:

✤ sneezing

✤ watery eyes

✤ runny nostril

✤ drooling

✤ congestion

✤ fever

✤ poor urge for food

The herpes virus is the most typical respiratory virus, inflicting profuse sneezing and nasal discharge. The calicivirus causes milder respiratory indicators; nevertheless, it could actually trigger painful mouth ulcers, particularly on the tongue. Conjunctivitis (“pink eye”) in each eyes typically accompanies these signs.

Treatment of URIs consists of supportive care within the type of oral antibiotics, oral antivirals and medicated eye ointments. As talked about above, there are vaccines in opposition to these viruses, and all cats must be vaccinated and saved present on these vaccines.

©Andrey Zhuravlev | Getty Images

5. Look for parasites

Gastrointestinal parasites are a typical discovering in cats and kittens who’ve come from a multi-cat surroundings. Roundworms and hookworms can accumulate within the digestive tract, depriving a kitten of beneficial vitamins throughout this susceptible stage of their life.

Coccidia are protozoan parasites typically present in kittens which have come from an unsanitary surroundings. Diarrhea flecked with blood, accompanied by straining and elevated frequency of defecation, are basic indicators of coccidiosis. Adult cats, luckily, are much less generally affected. You ought to carry a fecal pattern to the veterinarian throughout that first go to, if doable, to ensure your cat is freed from inside parasites.

6. Search for ear mites

Ear mites are pesky, microscopic bugs that reside within the ears, inflicting intense itching and fixed discomfort. Kittens are extra generally affected than adults, and the incidence is larger in cats from a multi-cat surroundings, comparable to a shelter, cattery or pet retailer.

Kittens with ear mites typically scratch their ears so vigorously as to trigger bleeding, and extreme infestations may cause rupture of the eardrum and irritation of the center ear, leading to stability and coordination issues. Ear mites typically manifest as an accumulation of dry, brown, crusty materials within the ear canals.

During that first examination, your veterinarian will look at the ears and can pattern any particles, if current, for analysis below the microscope. If mites are seen, there’s no want to fret, as they’re simply handled.

7. Scrutinize for ringworm

Ringworm is the most typical infectious pores and skin illness of cats. Despite the title, ringworm is a fungus, not a worm. The basic look of ringworm is a number of areas of patchy hair loss, accompanied by some scaling and crusting. Any a part of the physique could be affected, nevertheless it has a specific affinity for the pinnacle, particularly the hair across the eyes, ears, nostril and lips.

Long-haired cats, particularly Persians and Himalayans, are extra generally affected than short-haired cats. Ringworm is a zoonotic illness, which implies that it may be unfold to people. I’ve seen many cat house owners develop into stricken together with their cats throughout an outbreak.

Ringworm is treatable with oral treatment and shampoos, however it’s a main nuisance. All cats (particularly kittens) coming from a multi-cat surroundings must be completely checked for ringworm throughout that first veterinary examination.

8. Fight fleas

Fleas will all the time be a significant annoyance to cats (and their house owners), so hunt down flea options.

Fleas trigger itchiness and are related to quite a lot of issues in cats, comparable to bartonellosis, flea allergic dermatitis and tapeworms. Fleas feed on blood, and severely infested kittens can expertise life-threatening anemia from blood loss.

Fortunately, there have been main breakthroughs within the discipline of flea management, making old school sprays, powders and shampoos out of date. Oral medicines kill fleas quickly, and topical preparations, often administered as soon as a month, present long-term flea management. (Some of those merchandise management inside parasites as nicely, giving cat house owners extra bang for his or her buck.)

The most secure and only merchandise can be found solely via veterinarians. Beware of over-the-counter merchandise packaged to imitate the veterinary merchandise. These might comprise permethrin which, in concentrated doses, may cause extreme and sometimes deadly toxicosis if utilized to cats and kittens.

Adopting a kitten or grownup cat is a rewarding expertise. They relieve loneliness and are good to your psychological and bodily well being. Ensuring your cat’s good well being is essential to creating positive your cat sticks round for the lengthy haul, and all of it begins with that first post-adoption veterinary go to.