Your little kitten is all grown up now and has different needs. Here are some things to remember.
Typical Vaccination Schedule
1 Year after Kitten Vaccinations
- Feline Distemper-Upper Respiratory Booster (booster yearly)
- Feline Leukemia Booster (booster yearly)
- Feline Rabies Vaccination (booster yearly)
Recommended Tests
- Annual intestinal Parasite Exam (fecal)
After your cat reaches a few years of age, tarter begins to build up at the junction of the gums and teeth. If this tarter is not removed, it builds up until it undermines the tissue and causes receding gums. The area then becomes infected, which leads to bad breath, as well as pain, for your cat. Without quick attention, severe gum infections, abscessed teeth, and cheek ulcers will develop.
Chronic infections of the teeth and gums also cause other health problems throughout the body. Bacteria enter the bloodstream from infected teeth and cause infection in organs such as the liver, the kidneys, the heart, and also the joints.
Good dental care can lengthen your cat’s life an average of 10 to 20% through the prevention of secondary problems.
You can help reduce dental problems through the following:
- Feeding a dry pet food daily.
- Brushing (with toothpaste designed for animals only) daily or weekly.
- Scheduling regular dental exams and/or routine dental cleaning and polishing.
Spaying and Neutering is an important decision with many benefits. Spayed/neutered pets not only live longer and healthier lives, but they also make better companions. It is best to spay or neuter your pet anywhere from 4 to 6 months of age.