The first veterinary visit should occur when the kitten is about 8 weeks old. 

There are 2-3 more appointments needed after this visit in the first 2-3 months to be sure the kitten is adequately vaccinated.  After kittenhood, the cat should be examined every 6-12 months for the remainder of its life.  (More often if there are any medical conditions to follow.)  The number of kitten visits are determined by a variety of factors, including their age, where they were obtained from, their health status, what vaccinations if any have already been given, and whether the cat will be an indoor or outdoor cat. 

The following information is provided to give you and idea of our wellness protocols, but is never exactly the same for each pet.  Your kittens' wellness plan will determined based on lifestyle factors at the initial and follow up visits.

ALL kittens should receive the following:

1. A Comprehensive Physical Exam at the initial visit and a Brief Exam at each following vaccination visit.
2. An FVRCP vaccine at ages 8, 12, and 16 weeks of age.   
3. A Rabies vaccine at 16 weeks of age.
4. A Deworming for intestinal worms at each kitten visit.  (Please see our link to the CDC website regarding the recommendations for veterinarians to prevent disease in humans, if you have questions about this.)
5. A Fecal test for bacterial and protozoal parasites. (Again, you can visit the CDC website for more information about diseases you can get from your pet.) 
6. A Feline Leukemia/Feline Aids test.  (If the kitten is the only cat in the household, the test can be done at any of the kitten visits, but if there are other cats at home, the test should be done ASAP.)
7. Presurgical Blood Testing for any kitten who will be having surgery such as spaying or neutering.

Some kittens will need:

1. The Feline Leukemia vaccine (If they will be going outdoors, or have exposure to unknown or outdoor cats.)
2. Additional dewormings or parasite treatments if abnormalities were found in the fecal specimen.
3. Heartworm prevention if the cat will travel to endemic areas.
4. Flea and tick prevention if the cat will go outdoors or travel to endemic areas.

It is our hospital protocol to vaccinate cats only for diseases that they could be exposed to, or the benefit of the vaccine outweighs the potential for side effects.  Therefore, we DO NOT vaccinate any cats for FIP or FIV.  Rabies vaccines are required by law for all cats regardless if they are at risk.  The remainder of the kitten visit items are always recommended, but ultimately your kittens care is YOUR choice. 

Every cat vaccine given at our hospital is a non-adjuvented, most technologically adavanced vaccine available.  To find out why this is important please visit:  www.avma.org/vafstf/default.asp

Cat vaccines are tailored to your pets lifestyle.  Therefore, every cat will have a different ideal health plan.  Please be understanding of this if a staff member is unable to give you and exact estimate of cost without an initial exam and history.