Starting Off With Your New Kitten, by Dr. Robyn Baldwin

 Congratulations on your new family member! Kittens are a lot of fun, and there is a lot that you, as a new "parent," need to do to maintain your pet's well-being. As you go through the following information, please be sure to ask the veterinarian any questions that you may have.

• Vaccinate:
  Be sure that your kitten gets all the vaccinations that it needs. Kittens need to have a complete series of vaccines, usually beginning at approximately 6 weeks old and continuing approximately every 3-4 weeks until they are approximately 16 weeks old. The required vaccines are the distemper vaccine (that also protects against other viruses) and the rabies vaccine. The feline leukemia vaccine is recommended for all kittens in their first year of life. At next year’s visit, you and your veterinarian will determine if the leukemia vaccine series should continue. If the cat is ever going to go outside or will be in contact with other cats, he/she should also receive the leukemia vaccine booster as directed by your veterinarian. This vaccine works best when it is given to young cats.


• Important Testing:
  It is important to test your kitten for feline leukemia (FeLV) and feline AIDS. In most cases, the parental history of the kitten is unknown, and it is important to know the virus status of the kitten. If the cat ever goes outside or is ever in contact with other cats, this test should be repeated annually.


• Start Treatment for Worms:
  Make sure that your kitten receives an appropriate series of dewormers for roundworms and hookworms (that may cause infections in people as well) and that fecal samples are examined for other parasites. After the "kitten series," this is done every 6-12 months. You can bring in a fresh stool sample with you for your veterinarian to examine whenever you go in for an exam.


• Early Heartworm Prevention:
  Begin heartworm prevention medication for you cat when it is 8 weeks old. This is important for all cats, even those who never go outside. One study showed that more indoor-only cats had heartworms that did those who went outdoors. Consider a product such as Revolution which also control fleas, ear mites, and intestinal parasites.



"Ooh, can we hold her?"
Everyone wants to play
with a new kitten. Be careful not
to overwhelm your kitty with
new experiences -- let her feel safe
with you and her environment
but do socialize her.



• Spay or Neuter Your New Kitten:
  Make sure your kitten is spayed or neutered before it reaches sexual maturity. This should be done before he/she is 6 months old. It is best to wait until the vaccine series is completed before doing the surgery, but it can be done sooner if needed. In tact cats have a much higher chance of contracting life-threatening illness than do sterile cats. Spaying and neutering are the best means to help control the severe pet overpopulation problem. If you have any questions about the procedure or why it is important that it be done, please ask your veterinarian.


• Keep Kitten Indoors:
  Be sure that the kitten is kept strictly indoors and not allowed contact with other cats until he/she has completed the vaccine series and is spayed (females) or neutered (males.) Until this time, the kitten may not be fully protected against viruses, and may (if female), become pregnant, or (if male) impregnate females.


• Indoor Cats Are Healthier:
  Consider keeping your kitten an "indoor-only" cat. Indoor only cats generally live longer lives than do those that are allowed outside. This is because, when allowed outside, cats run the risks of encountering cars, dogs, and other cats. Being hit by cars, attacked by dogs, and bitten by other cats (possibly leading to feline leukemia or feline AIDS) are common reasons that cats are presented to the veterinarian. Any cat that has a white or light-colored face or ears should be indoors-only to decrease its chance of getting sun-induced cancer.


• Maintain Health With Checkups:
  Return to the veterinarian every 12 months for your cat's annual examination and any needed booster vaccines or laboratory tests. This is necessary for the life of your cat!


• Provide a Healthy Diet for Your Kitten:
  Feed your kitten a well-formulated diet. Science Diet Feline Growth, and Iams kitten are examples of excellent foods. They are strictly formulated to meet a growing kitten's needs, without any excesses that may be harmful. Unlike some grocery-store foods, the ingredients and formulations generally do not vary, so there won't be any sudden changes in your cat's food.


• How to Switch Your Kitten's Food:
  If you ever switch your cat's food, do it slowly over a course of at least 5 days: gradually increase the amount of the new food and decrease the amount of the old food until only the new food is being fed. This will help minimize the chance of diarrhea or stomach upset from a sudden change.


• Kittens are Ready to Change to Cat Food Around One Year Old:
  Once your kitten is fully grown (at around one year old,) switch him/her to an adult cat food, such as Science Diet Feline Maintenance, Hill's t/d or Oral Care (tartar-control formulas,) or Iams adult.


• Please, No Table Scraps:
  Never give your cat "people food." A lot of food that humans can digest without any problems can cause serious problems to pets. Giving food from the table only encourages begging, which will be a problem for you and your cat. As long as a well-balanced, high-quality cat food is being fed, there is no need for supplements.


• Dental Maintenance:
  Maintain a healthy mouth by performing dental home care. Now is the best time to begin training your kitten to accept tooth-brushing. Cats' gums are much more sensitive than people's, so it is important to use a very soft toothbrush, such as the CET Kitten or Cat toothbrushes, or the small end of the CET Dual-Ended toothbrush. Only use a toothpaste that is approved for cats; human toothpaste may be toxic to them. Most cats prefer the CET Poultry- flavored toothpaste; CET Forte (seafood) and malt flavors are also available. If you reward your cat after brushing, you should be able to develop a daily routine. Most cats like the Pounce treats (either regular or "tartar control") and these make great rewards.


• Identification for Your Kitty:
  Make sure your kitten can be returned to you in case he/she is ever lost. Get a safety-release collar now, and let your kitten get used to wearing it. Get a name tag with your address and phone number to put on the collar. Once the rabies vaccine is given, make sure that he/she wears the rabies tag at all times. Injecting a permanent microchip under the cat's skin provides a permanent, unchangeable means of identification. The injection is like a vaccine injection; no sedation is required and it can be done in minutes.


• Safe Toys for Play:
  Give your kitten safe toys to play with, and make sure that there are no possible dangerous objects around the house. Cats love string, but swallowing string can cause serious problems; make sure all sewing materials, tinsel, etc. are out of the kitten's reach. Make sure there are no small objects that the kitten may choke on. Antifreeze will kill pets; be sure that there is no access to it. Other possible toxins, such as old batteries, candies/gum with xylitol, etc. need to be kept away you’re your cat. Soft, catnip-filled toys (without any small parts) and fishing pole-type exercisers such as the Cat Dancer will keep your kitten entertained.


• Litterbox Training:
  Cats tend to be litter-box trained very readily. The general rule is to have one more litter box than the number of cats in the household. For example, if you have two cats at home, they should have access to three litter boxes.


• Scratching Posts Deter Scratching of Furniture:
  Be sure that your kitten has at least one scratching post. Kittens and cats need to scratch; it is done to keep their claws in condition and as a scent marking mechanism. If there is no scratching post available, they will scratch rugs, sofas, etc. Encourage the kitten to use the scratching post by rewarding him/her when they do so, and moving them to the post if they begin to scratch in an inappropriate area.


• Nail Grooming:
  Begin now to get your kitten used toenail trims.


• Car Training:
  Take your kitten for car rides other than to the veterinarian's office. If the only time he/she goes in the car is to get vaccinations, he/she may begin to fear the car. Go for short rides around the block, and reward the cat during the trip.


• Read More:
  Get a book on kittens! It can give you a lot of other suggestions on how to provide your cat with a long, happy life.


• Be Selective When Seeking Info:
  Be cautious when looking at information on the internet. Stick with reliable websites such as www.veterinarypartner.com.


• Maintain a Relationship With Your Vet:
  Call your veterinarian whenever you have any questions!

By Dr. Robyn Baldwin, Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice

Same kitty in these photos but here all grown up.
Her eyes were blue when she was tiny!
(Photo set donated by Lap of Love friends.)

Posted by:
Vet Robyn Baldwin
drrobyn@lapoflove.com
Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice and Euthanasia
www.lapoflove.com

Broward County, including: Pompano Beach, Lighthouse Point , Hillsboro Beach, Deerfield Beach, Coconut Creek, Oakland Park, Wilton Manors, Coral Springs, Tamarac, Plantation, Sunrise ~ Lauderhill, Oakland Park, Ft. Lauderdale, Aventura, Miramar , Hollywood, Davie, Pembroke Pines, Cooper City, and Weston.  

Starting Off With Your New Puppy, by Dr. Robyn Baldwin

Congratulations on your new family member! Puppies are a lot of fun, and there is a lot that you, as a new "parent," need to do to maintain your pet's well-being. As you go through the following information, be sure to ask the veterinarian any questions that you may have.

• Vaccinate:
  Be sure your puppy gets all the vaccinations that it needs. Puppies need to have a complete series of vaccines ("shots,") usually beginning at approximately 6-8 weeks old and continuing every 3-4 weeks until they are 16 weeks old. The required vaccines are the distemper-parvo combination vaccine (that also protects against other viruses) and the rabies vaccine. Your veterinarian can explain to you about other recommended vaccines. A bordetella vaccine is recommended for puppies who possibly will be in an area where other dogs are, such as the groomer/bather, dog park, boarding facility, or hospital (for example, at the time of spay/neuter surgery.)


• Socialize:
  Early socializing with healthy puppies who are up to date on their vaccines is a good idea to help promote appropriate social behavior. However, whenever possible, be sure that your puppy is kept away from other dogs who may be sick, and from places where sick dogs may have been, until about 3 weeks after its last set of vaccines. Until this time, the puppy may not be fully protected against viruses such as parvovirus, etc.


• Worm Medication:
  Make sure that your puppy has had an appropriate series of dewormers for roundworms and hookworms (that may cause infections in people as well) and that fecal samples are examined for other parasites. After the "puppy series," this is done every 6-12 months. You can bring a fresh stool sample into your veterinarian whenever you go in for an exam.


• Vet Checkups:
  Return to the veterinarian every six months for your dog's semi-annual examination and any booster vaccines or laboratory tests that may be due. This is necessary for the life of your dog!


• Heartworm Prevention:
  Begin heartworm prevention medication when your puppy is 6-8 weeks old. It is extremely important that your dog stay on this medication without interruption, for the rest of its life. Your veterinarian will test the dog every year to maintain the manufacturer’s guarantee, and to refill the prescription for the medication. In addition to being a heartworm preventive, most products also contain ingredients for intestinal parasite control. Certain products, such as Trifexis, also provide flea control. Ask your veterinarian which product is the most appropriate for your pet.


• Flea/Tick Control:
  If indicated, use prescription flea and/or tick control formulations. It’s easier to remember monthly products if they are used on the same day that the heartworm prevention tablet is given. Be sure to read the label completely on any product that you are using. Some topical products need to be applied only to the neck area, while some will be applied down the dog’s back (eg Vectra 3D, Advantage, Advantix, Advantage Multi, Frontline Plus, etc.) Ticks can transmit diseases, so be sure to use appropriate tick control products if your dog lives in or visits an area where there may be ticks. The Preventic tick collar can be used in dogs older than 12 weeks old, and lasts for 3 months. The Comfortis monthly flea adulticide is a convenient method of flea control that will not be washed off when the dog is bathed. It is combined with heartworm and intestinal parasite control in the product Trifexis.
  


• Pet Insurance:
  Consider subscribing to Pet Insurance. Different policies are available, and some even include routine examinations and vaccines as well as emergencies. These policies are often well worth the nominal investment!


• Healthy Diet:
  Feed your puppy a well-formulated diet. Science Diet Puppy and Iams Puppy are examples of excellent foods. They are strictly formulated to meet a growing puppy's needs, without any excesses that may be harmful. Unlike some grocery-store foods, the ingredients and formulations generally do not vary, so there won't be any sudden changes in your dog's food.
  


• Hypoglycemia Prevention:
  Tiny/ toy-breed puppies are very prone to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar.) They need to be fed very frequently (up to every 2 hours around the clock for some puppies) depending on age and size. Always keep Karo syrup or Nutrical on hand in case of a hypoglycemic episode. If signs of lethargy/ weakness, tremoring, seizuring occur, immediately put some on the puppy’s gums and call your veterinarian or the emergency hospital immediately.


• Switch Foods Carefully:
  If you ever switch your dog's food, do it slowly over a course of at least 5 days: gradually increase the amount of the new food and decrease the amount of the old food until only the new food is being fed. This will help minimize the chance of diarrhea or stomach upset from a sudden diet change.


• Adult Dog Food:
  Once your puppy is fully grown (about 1 year old for an average-sized dog), switch him/ her to an adult dog food, such as Science Diet Canine Adult, Hill’s t/d, or Science Diet Oral Care (a tartar-control diet.)


• No Table Scraps:
  Never give your puppy "table scraps." A lot of food that humans can digest without any problems can cause serious problems to pets. Giving food from the table only encourages begging, which will be a problem for you and your dog. As long as a well-balanced, high- quality dog food is being given, there is no need for supplements.


• Dental Care:
  Maintain a healthy mouth by performing dental home care. Now is the best time to begin training your dog to accept tooth-brushing. The size of the puppy and his/her predicted adult size will help determine which products are best suited to use. Tiny dogs, such as miniature poodles, Yorkshire terriers, chihuahuas, etc. should have a tiny toothbrush: the CET Mini- Toothbrush or the human Oral-B Sulcus toothbrush work well in these breeds. Small dogs can use the small end of the CET Dual-Ended toothbrush, or a small, soft human toothbrush. Large dogs do well with the large end of the Dual-Ended toothbrush, a medium-sized, soft human toothbrush, or the CET fingerbrushes. It is important to only use a dog toothpaste; human toothpastes may be toxic to dogs. The malt and poultry flavors seem to be palatable to dogs. If you give your puppy a reward after his/her dental care, it should not be too difficult to develop a daily routine that he/she may even enjoy!


• Identification Tags and Microchipping:
  Make sure your puppy can be returned to you in case he/she is ever lost. Put a name tag with your phone number and address on the dog's collar. After the puppy is old enough to receive it, make sure he/she wears the rabies tag at all times. Injecting a permanent microchip under the dog's skin provides a permanent, unchangeable means of identification. The injection is like a vaccine shot; no sedation is required and it can be done in minutes.
  
  
• Spaying/Neutering:
  Make sure your puppy is spayed (females) or neutered (males) before it reaches sexual maturity. This should be done before he/she is 6 months old. It is best to wait until the vaccine series is completed before doing the surgery, but it can be done sooner if needed.


• Females that are spayed before their first heat cycle (often around 6 months old) have almost no chance of ever getting breast cancer (the most common cancer that dogs get.) After a dog goes through heat cycles, she has about a one-in-four chance of developing breast cancer, that may be fatal. Spaying also helps prevent ovarian cancer, uterine infections (pyometra), and other problems. Neutering male dogs helps prevent testicular and prostate problems, as well as some behavioral problems. Spaying and neutering is the best method available to help control the severe pet overpopulation problem that exists. If you have any questions about the procedure or why it is important that it be done, please ask your veterinarian.
  
  


• Chew Toys:
  Dogs need things to chew on. Make sure that there is no access to any possible harmful objects. Keep all electric cords, small items/toys, etc. out of the puppy's reach to avoid electrocution/ choking/ etc. A good chew toy should not have the potential to harm the dog's teeth, gums, or digestive tract. CET Chews, Gummabone, and Kong toys meet these requirements. Hard toys may break teeth or scratch the gums. A good rule of thumb is the “knee test.” If you wouldn’t want the object thrown at your kneecap, then it is too hard for your dog! The felt on tennis balls and string on rope toys may rub away the enamel of the dog's teeth, and should be avoided. Toys that can be chewed up may cause stomach problems.


• Check for Possible Toxic Substances in the Environment:
  Make sure there are no toxic substances within reach of the puppy. Old batteries, antifreeze, gum/candies containing xylitol, drugs/medications, and pennies are common household items that may be fatal if ingested. Other potential toxins include chocolate, grapes, raisins, and onions. Bufo Toads, common to South Florida, may be very toxic and even fatal if licked or eaten. If you think that your dog may have come in contact with a Bufo Toad, first rinse the mouth copiously with tap water (rinsing through the mouth, so that the toxin is not swallowed), then call us immediately.
  


• Grooming:
  Begin now to get your puppy used to having baths, ear cleanings, and toenail trims. Playing with his/her feet frequently will make nail-trim time easier!


• Gland Maintenance:
  All dogs have anal glands (small scent glands that are located just inside the anus and are used in the wild for marking.) These are the same glands that skunks have to release their odor. Some dogs (especially the smaller breeds) are prone to getting a build-up of this material, which can lead to irritation, infection/ abscess, or even rupture. If you take your dog to a groomer, ask the groomer to express the anal gland material for you to help prevent it from building up. If you ever notice your dog scooting on its rear end or chewing at this area, bring him/her in so that we can check these glands for you.
  


• Car Training:
  Take your puppy for car rides to places other than the veterinarian's office. If the only time he/she goes in the car is to get shots, he/she may begin to fear the car. Go for short rides around the block, and give rewards during the drive.


• Learn More:
  Get a book on puppies, such as the Super Puppy Handbook, and do research on particular features on your puppy’s breed. You will find a lot of other suggestions on how to provide your dog a long, happy life.


• Be Selective When Choosing An Information Source:
  When looking for information to supplement what your veterinarian has told you, be careful when looking on the internet. Stick with a reputable website such as www.veterinarypartner.com.


• Call your veterinarian whenever you have any questions!

Enjoy your new friend!


By Dr. Robyn Baldwin, Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice

Posted by:
Vet Robyn Baldwin
drrobyn@lapoflove.com
Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice and Euthanasia
www.lapoflove.com

Broward County, including: Pompano Beach, Lighthouse Point , Hillsboro Beach, Deerfield Beach, Coconut Creek, Oakland Park, Wilton Manors, Coral Springs, Tamarac, Plantation, Sunrise ~ Lauderhill, Oakland Park, Ft. Lauderdale, Aventura, Miramar , Hollywood, Davie, Pembroke Pines, Cooper City, and Weston.