New kitten vet and vaccinations at Cascade Summit Animal Hospital, West Linn OR

Veterinarian for Kitten, West Linn OR

VETERINARY SERVICES | KITTEN CARE

Congratulations on your new kitten!

Congratulations! All of us at Cascade Summit Animal Hospital are eager to meet the newest member of your family. We just love kittens; there is nothing cuter than watching a kitten experience a new toy, make its first leap or peak out from a blanket. Watching your kitten grow and change over the first year is a wonderful experience.

Having a kitten can bring a lot of good experiences into your life, but it also requires a lot of giving of time, energy, and money for proper veterinary care. As a cat parent, you now have the responsibility for making sure your cat’s most basic needs are met. We are here to partner with you throughout your kitten’s healthy life!

Here is a Kitten/Cat Litter Box Article

Cats and the Litter Box

Your Kitten’s First Visit with Us

Please bring your kitten in for a check-up as soon as possible to establish a relationship with a veterinarian. A kitten exam is important to establish the health of your kitten. Very young kittens may suffer more from medical issues as their immune system is not yet mature, and certain types of kittens are more susceptible to certain medical problems. Kittens that have not had adequate medical care prior to adoption 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.

Please bring your kitten in a closed carrier, and 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).

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
Intestinal parasite deworming if necessary
Development of an immunization program based on your kitten’s current age and expected lifestyle
Heartworm prevention recommendations
Recommendations for controlling and preventing external parasites such as fleas
Behavior and housetraining recommendations

Nutritional counseling

Kitten Wellness Plans

We are now offering kitten wellness plans for our patients. We feel that this is an exciting new option for owners who would like to pay for care on a monthly basis. All plans are tiered - with the next level including everything in the plan below it, as well as additional services and discounts. Please visit our Kitten Wellness Plan page for more information.

Our Vaccine Philosophy

Vaccines have proven important in preventing serious disease in dogs and cats, but no vaccine is 100% effective or 100% free of side effects (such as allergic reaction, shock, autoimmune disease, and others). For these reasons, it is important to design a personalized vaccine protocol for each pet, maximizing protection against the diseases your pet is likely to be exposed to while using the fewest vaccines possible.

Our current vaccine recommendations are based on up-to-date research and the incidence of disease in our area. During your pet's exam we'll ask you questions to assess your pet's individual risk, based on his/her lifestyle, and then design a customized vaccine protocol. This can be modified as needed when that lifestyle changes, so be sure to let us know so we can keep your pet protected!

Pre-Kitten Planning

Pre-kitten planning is important. It is best to purchase supplies (for example, food and water bowls, toys, litter box, bedding, collar, identification tag) before you bring your kitten home. Pre-kitten shopping allows you to order from wholesale catalogs or shop for supplies without the pressure of the kitten needing it immediately.

Kittens are inveterate snoops and their favorite toys might be harmful to them, things like electric cords, cords on blinds or plants to nibble. You may have to kitten-proofing the area where he or she will spend most of his or her time the first few months. Ask us for kitten-proofing ideas. Once you think you've completely kitten-proofed, lie on the floor and look around once more to get a kitten's-eye view. If you have children, please remind them not to overwhelm the kitten the first day.

When you pick up your kitten, remember to ask what type of food was being fed to your kitten, how much and at what time. Replicate that schedule until your first kitten visit with us. We will discuss your kitten’s nutritional needs with you during your first kitten visit. If you do not think you can purchase the same type of food the kitten was eating, please give us a call.

Kitten vaccination schedule

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, most easily seen on the belly
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 dog does not appear to have been physically harmed
Any suspected poisoning, including ingestion of antifreeze, rodent or snail bait, or human medication

The entire staff at Cascade Summit 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 healthcare.