Feline Info

FELINE FAQ

A: If you have a indoor cat we recommend the indoor core vaccine which includes feline rhinotracheitis-calici-panleukopenia viruses (FRCP) as well as a non-adjuvuted Rabies vaccine. If you have an outdoor cat or one who comes in and out, we recommend the FRCP, Feline Leukemia, & Rabies vaccines. Out door cats run the risk of coming in contact with these diseases when they mingle with other cats or animals.

Q: Should I test my cat for FeLV & FIV viral diseases?

A: We recommend viral testing for all cats. These viruses can lay dormant, similar to AIDS in humans, and can cause problems in the future. They can be spread to any other cat in the household by cat to cat contact, so it is safest to screen any new cat before exposure to other cats.

Q: When should I sterilize my cat?

A: The surgery can be performed anytime over the age of 8 weeks, but we generally recommend waiting until six months of age. Cats usually do not reach puberty before 6 months. It is not better for a cat to go through a heat cycle or have a litter before being spayed. A spay is an ovariohysterectomy - the ovaries and uterus are removed. Male cats generally do not spray before reaching puberty. The smell of their urine and undesirable marking behavior is prevented with neutering. When a male cat is neutered, the testicles are removed.

Q: How do I know if may cat needs dentistry?

A: Raise the upper lip of the cat’s mouth and look towards the sides of the teeth. If the teeth are not white but are yellowish, brown, or look like they have tartar and plaque, they need cleaning. If a bad odor exists, this is usually due to bacterial overgrowth in the gums and is a sign of gingivitis. A raised red line above the teeth is another sign of gingivitis.

Q: What are Ear Mites?

A: Ear mites are micoscopic bugs that can live in your cat’s ears. The only way to see them is by magnification. Proper treatment involves careful and thorough cleaning of the ear canals, then application of prescription medical treatment.

Q: What are the little white things under my cat’s tail and on his stool?

A: These are called tapeworms. A cat gets these from ingesting fleas that carry tapeworm larvae, or by eating small animals that are carrying larvae. Tapeworms can only be eliminated with prescription medication, There are no over the counter medications to effectively rid tapeworms.

Q: Do you recommend declawing for my cat?

A: If you are comfortable with the idea and your cat will be kept indoors, then surgery can be performed. Ideally declawing should be done at around 6 months of age because surgical recovery is more painful for older and heavier cats.

If you really don’t like the idea of the surgery, two other options are:

1. Soft Paws: Vinyl nail caps that are glued over the cat’s own nails. The cat cannot damage materials when it scratches due to the rounded ends.

They last for 4-6 weeks and fall off as the nail begins to grow.
2. Nail trimming once to twice a month

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