Kitten Care

Congratulations on your new kitten!

All of us at West Hills Animal Hospital & Emergency Center are eager to meet your new kitten and welcome him or her into the West Hills family. Having a kitten can bring a lot of joy into your life, but he or she also requires health care, attention, nutrition and an enriched environment. We are here to partner with you throughout your kitten’s healthy life!

A kitten exam is important to establish the health of your kitten, so please bring your kitten in for an exam as soon as possible. Very young kittens may suffer more from medical issues as their immune system is not yet mature, and may be more susceptible to certain medical problems. Kittens that have not had adequate medical care prior to adoption or acquisition may have pre-existing conditions that need to be addressed. The kitten exam will ensure your feline companion will be on the way to growing up healthy and strong.

Your Kitten’s First Visit with Us

Please bring your kitten in a closed carrier along with all veterinary records or other paperwork you have pertaining to your kitten’s care. Also, please bring a fresh stool sample (ideally less than 12 hours old).

During your kitten’s initial visit, we will perform a comprehensive examination. Kittens need a series of vaccinations in the first year of life to protect them from preventable dangerous diseases, and we will develop a vaccination schedule specifically for your kitten. We will address any questions you have concerning care for your kitten, such as diet and nutrition, behavioral issues, integrating the new kitten into your home or litter box training.

Your kitten’s first exam will include:

• A comprehensive physical exam
• Screening for viruses specific to felines, such as Feline Leukemia Virus and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus
• Intestinal parasite screening and deworming if necessary
• External parasite (fleas) screening and parasite protection
• Vaccines based on your kitten’s current age and expected lifestyle
• Heartworm prevention recommendations
• Behavior and housetraining recommendations
• Nutritional counseling

Subsequent visits with your kitten will be scheduled according to its age and medical history. The entire staff at West Hills West Animal Hospital is here to help you and your kitten through every life stage. Please contact us to schedule your kitten’s first wellness exam and with any questions you have about your kitten’s health care.

Signs That Your Kitten Needs Immediate Medical Attention

Please also be alert to the following symptoms, as they are signs that your kitten needs immediate care:

• Any respiratory problems, such as coughing, trouble breathing.
• Any signs of pain: panting, labored breathing, increased body temperature, lethargy, restlessness or loss of appetite.
• Persistent vomiting or diarrhea.
• Any wound or laceration that’s open and bleeding or any animal bite.
• Allergic reactions, such as swelling around the face, or hives anywhere on the body
• Any eye injury, no matter how mild
• Seizure, fainting or collapse.
• Thermal Stress, either too cold or too hot, even if the dog seems to have recovered.
• Trauma received from any incident, even if the kitten does not appear to have been physically harmed.
• Any suspected poisoning, including ingestion of antifreeze, rodent or snail bait, or human medication.