Vet

I have three kittens which will be four weeks old this Monday. I was told it's nine weeks they go to the vets ready for their vaccination.

Is this correct?

What else do they require? Is it just one vaccination or a couple and, if so, do they have them all done at the same time or do you have to take them back down?

I was told spaying is 6 months or if they are 2kg. Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

Aside from the vaccination(s) is there anything else? And how much will it cost me for the three? Just so I know how much to put by.

Thank you in advance for your comments.

Are they orphans or do you have their mother, too? Are they girls or boys?

Traditionally, the kitten series FVCRP vaccines were given at 6, 9, and 12 weeks. There are any number of different vaccine schedules, though, so you have to decide what your'e comfortable with based on your kittens' risk of exposure. If they stay inside and don't have contact with other cats, and you don't work somewhere with sick cats and don't have a lot of sick strays hanging around, it's most likely safe to wait until 9 weeks for their first shot. Usually the only shot given at first is FVCRP, although some vets want to give the Feline Leukemia (FeLV) shot at that age, too. If your cats will never go outside, there is no reason to get the FeLV shot ever, so don't let your vet give it to them in that case. If they will be going outside, ask your vet about the risks and benefits of the FeLV vaccine. It's not approved for use in kittens under 9 weeks. Unless you live in a rabies-free country, they'll need their rabies shots around 12-16 weeks (It's not approved for use under 12 weeks).

As for spay/neuter, it's safe to do it as early as 8 weeks/1 kg. Waiting until 6 months is quite risky, especially if you have mixed genders, as females can go into heat as early as 14 weeks. Ask your vet what age he/she prefers for spay/neuter, but if it's over 4 months you'll probably want to find another vet who will do it sooner.

As for cost, this totally depends on what your vet charges, and this can vary wildly depending on your area, and even from one vet to the next. Call your vet for an estimate .

Willowy said:

As for cost, this totally depends on what your vet charges, and this can vary wildly depending on your area, and even from one vet to the next. Call your vet for an estimate

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Bargaining for three at a time, you can perhaps get a group rabate!? [=discount]   You may try asking.  

Good luck!

I have no idea what is usual in Cloudland.  Here in the UK we worm against roundworms (usually with Panacur) at 2, 5 and 8 weeks of age.  The Panacur is given for 3 consecutive days.  They are vaccinated twice at 9 and 13 weeks of age against feline panleukopenia, feline herpes virus and feline calicivirus.  Mum should have been wormed and fleas should have been dealt with before the kittens arrive.

When the kittens can be neutered depends on the vet - old-school will insist on them being 6 months, but I wouldn't want to leave a cat that long.  Neuter as soon as your vet will, and if they insist on 6 months ring round other vets in your area.

Cost is hugely variable, again ring round.  And remember an accidental litter costs a lot more than getting a female cat neutered.

OrientalSlave said:

I have no idea what is usual in Cloudland.  Here in the UK we worm against roundworms (usually with Panacur) at 2, 5 and 8 weeks of age.  The Panacur is given for 3 consecutive days.  They are vaccinated twice at 9 and 13 weeks of age against feline panleukopenia, feline herpes virus and feline calicivirus.  Mum should have been wormed and fleas should have been dealt with before the kittens arrive.

When the kittens can be neutered depends on the vet - old-school will insist on them being 6 months, but I wouldn't want to leave a cat that long.  Neuter as soon as your vet will, and if they insist on 6 months ring round other vets in your area.

Cost is hugely variable, again ring round.  And remember an accidental litter costs a lot more than getting a female cat neutered.

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OS, I'm aware of the wormer which you kindly updated me on in my last post and has already been given. I am also aware that mother is to be flead and wormed before having kittens and this was also done. I'm giving her wormer tablets again now though as it's that time.I am having problem with fleas despite using frontline my vets have given me. I'm speaking to Carly on this matter anyway.I'm also aware on the huge difference on the cost of bringing up a litter and having a spay/neutur, etc.. I did make this abundantly clear back on PF that I am getting Fidget spayed. In fact I even asked for that option when she was pregnant but they couldn't do it due to them being sued and then only to turn around and say she was too far along anyway, regardless. And then I am sure you remember the accusations against me of me being a liar.I 've sorted that issue out with RSPCA now as they had put her as a found pet on their database and they said after three weeks (If nobody came forward) it was then acceptable for her to be chipped and spayed. Obviously not at this time yet though, but, yes, she is getting spayed. I was told eight weeks is when it is acceptable for me to take her from the kits for a trip down the vets, unless of course serious health conditions arise.Thank you for your advice. It is always appreciated.

Willowy said:

Are they orphans or do you have their mother, too? Are they girls or boys?

Traditionally, the kitten series FVCRP vaccines were given at 6, 9, and 12 weeks. There are any number of different vaccine schedules, though, so you have to decide what your'e comfortable with based on your kittens' risk of exposure. If they stay inside and don't have contact with other cats, and you don't work somewhere with sick cats and don't have a lot of sick strays hanging around, it's most likely safe to wait until 9 weeks for their first shot. Usually the only shot given at first is FVCRP, although some vets want to give the Feline Leukemia (FeLV) shot at that age, too. If your cats will never go outside, there is no reason to get the FeLV shot ever, so don't let your vet give it to them in that case. If they will be going outside, ask your vet about the risks and benefits of the FeLV vaccine. It's not approved for use in kittens under 9 weeks. Unless you live in a rabies-free country, they'll need their rabies shots around 12-16 weeks (It's not approved for use under 12 weeks).

As for spay/neuter, it's safe to do it as early as 8 weeks/1 kg. Waiting until 6 months is quite risky, especially if you have mixed genders, as females can go into heat as early as 14 weeks. Ask your vet what age he/she prefers for spay/neuter, but if it's over 4 months you'll probably want to find another vet who will do it sooner.

As for cost, this totally depends on what your vet charges, and this can vary wildly depending on your area, and even from one vet to the next. Call your vet for an estimate

.

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Hi Willowy,No, I have the mother too. I found her as a stray. I have not yet sexed the kittens but have been given instructions by some kind breeders who have told me how you can tell. I'm having difficulty in telling though so I'll be getting into contact with them again to say I don't have a bloomin clue, haha. I'm useless when it comes to instructions.Well, these kits are going to be going to some good homes, of people I trust and know they have the money and care they can give for these kittens so I'm not actually sure on if they will choose for them to be indoor or outdoor Cats. I'll have to ask them.So, if it is 6, 9, 12 weeks. Is that one vaccination each time they go or could it be two? Does that make sense?Well, Fidget has been on house arrest over six weeks and won't be going out until she is spayed and my other cat Tibbs goes out but she's up to date on everything. I also do not work with animals at all so would you say nine weeks is acceptable then? Or should I just start at the six weeks?Too be honest (I've been saying this for over a month now) but I am seriously considering changing my vets as they never expain things to me properly and I then leave with questions unanswered. They just sort of rush seeing animals at my vet, like a que of people in a line at a shop. I don't think they put real time into anything.Well, given I don't know if they will become indoor/outdoor cats only, I'd rather them have all the important vaccinations just to be sure. Before they go their new homes I want them up to date on everything that is required really. Oh, well, eight weeks is even better. I haven't actually confirmed with my Vet on what age they do spaying with kittens but given I have heard many people say six months I presumed it was a rule of thumb and applied everywhere in the UK.Thanks so much for your advice. I'll be ringing my Vets to go over this with them.

StefanZ said:

Bargaining for three at a time, you can perhaps get a group rabate!? [=discount]   You may try asking.  

Good luck!

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Oh, I just remembered when I was speaking back with the RSPCA last month the lady said she would give me voucher towards spaying. Now, I can afford spaying and I don't mind paying it but was told that I should still take it regardless. I don't really feel comfortable in doing that if I can pay for it as that could go towards someone who is struggling to afford a spay/neuter for their Cat, you know?I don't think my Vet will do anything like that (They don't do things like that or help towards treatement. They don't even let you have that option for paying them in stages if the bill is huge) so I am pretty sure there will be nothing like a discount. I suppose I could ask though.Thank you Stefanz.