What to do at the first vet trip?

matts mom · Aug 15, 2013

the kitten is about 5months I think? I don't want to stress him, it's probably hard enough being taken from outside and put in a bathroom. Multiple appointments are definitely an option for this little guy. Here are my options:

I can get all his shots, deworm and put her on Revolution.$ 75+10+20

I can have him seen, nails trimmed, distemper, deworm and put her on Revolution $47+10+20

I can have him seen, dewormed and put on Revolution.$ 30+10+20

I will be getting his shots, and neutered no matter what option I go with for his first vetting. My main concern is to deworm and deflea.

He's been bathed already but without chemicals.

vball91 · Aug 15, 2013

I personally would not vaccinate a cat who was not 100% healthy. So I would deworm and deflea first.

cat dad · Aug 15, 2013

Is he going to be an outdoor cat or around animals that could give him fleas? If he's an indoor cat then he won't need a flea preventative.

tammyp · Aug 15, 2013

Even indoor cats need flea treatments - those blighters can jump and trek in on humans, of via packaging/carpet etc.

The good thing about when a cat is old enough to start the neck application flea treatments is that they are super easy to do, most/many cover their worming as well, and they are very effective. This is an essential - and as vball91 said, it is part of getting them into good health, as good health is a requisite for vaccinations (which are usually spread out).

Im sure your vet will be able to advise on what is appropriate for the first visit. They usually do a general check up.

Also, nail trimming doesn't need to be done at the vet's - you can do this yourself. But you may want a 'how to' vet lesson to help you get started, and I think the earlier you start nail trimming, the easier it is for it to become normal and non-stressful for your cat. (But you can space out what the vet does if your cat is getting stressed, and just start handling her paws at home in a non-stressful environment to start off the nail clip training).

cat dad · Aug 15, 2013

I'd rather take my chances on maybe bringing a flea into the house then repeatedly exposing my cats (and me) to chemical pesticides.

vball91 · Aug 15, 2013

I agree with Cat Dad that I would only treat for fleas upon evidence of fleas (which this cat has). I have never treated my indoor kitty for fleas or ever had a flea infestation.

matts mom · Aug 15, 2013

Cat Dad said:
Is he going to be an outdoor cat or around animals that could give him fleas? If he's an indoor cat then he won't need a flea preventative.

He will be in door only, but he was born in a woodpile, so he is coming in with fleas. I've cleaned him up pretty good, but flea treatment and deworm are non-negotiable just based on his history as a feral baby. Though I see you point, too...I often choose to forego preventative unless I myself have been exposed. I try to keep some on hand to treat any outbreaks. The resident cat will of course be treated too.

tammyp said:
Even indoor cats need flea treatments - those blighters can jump and trek in on humans, of via packaging/carpet etc.

The good thing about when a cat is old enough to start the neck application flea treatments is that they are super easy to do, most/many cover their worming as well, and they are very effective. This is an essential - and as vball91 said, it is part of getting them into good health, as good health is a requisite for vaccinations (which are usually spread out).

Im sure your vet will be able to advise on what is appropriate for the first visit. They usually do a general check up.

Also, nail trimming doesn't need to be done at the vet's - you can do this yourself. But you may want a 'how to' vet lesson to help you get started, and I think the earlier you start nail trimming, the easier it is for it to become normal and non-stressful for your cat. (But you can space out what the vet does if your cat is getting stressed, and just start handling her paws at home in a non-stressful environment to start off the nail clip training).

tammyp · Aug 16, 2013

Once there is a flea problem, you have a cycle. It is very hard to break it by just using outbreak measures (you effectively have to poison your whole house). But the severity of fleas is also affected by climate, so perhaps this is why we are drummed in it over here.

One thing I remember from people who didn't like chemicals is a product called diatomaceous earth - if you ever need something

http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/parasites/a/Diatomaceous-Earth-For-Flea-Control.htm

ondine · Aug 16, 2013

The vet should be able to assess his level of health before giving him his shots, so a check-up would be on my list. That will help figure out how bad the fleas are and whether he has worms or other parasites (earmites, etc.)

A dose of Revolution will go a long way in breaking the flea cycle and you may only need one dose. I've never used it more than once. It will also help with any earmites and some types of worms.

Are there low-cost spay/neuter programs near you? I usually take my strays to ours, where they are fixed and have rabies shots and first distemper shots for $45. Treatment for other things is usually a little extra but it does take a big bite out of the initial expenses.

matts mom · Aug 16, 2013

The vet I chose will neuter him for 79...that's with full pre-op and aenessthetic and pain med. I'll be doing that after his two rounds of shots. He's got worms, too. I noticed them this morning. Roundworms I think. Are they an emergency, because his app isn't for 4 days?

ondine · Aug 16, 2013

That's a pretty good price for a regular vet. I've paid up to $200 just for a spay - no shots or anything else!

The roundworms (ech!) shouldn't be too much of a problem, unless the kitten is sick. I'd sure add worming to the top of the list of services needed.

matts mom · Aug 16, 2013

200 was the normal price I was quoted for spay. This place said 120 for spay, which I thought was great so I decided to go with them..and the office visit is only 30bucks

I thought he was a she until yesterday afternoon, so I got spay prices first lol.

I've moved his appointment up to tomorrow afternoon, so he'll be dewormed in short order(yay for his little intesines) He's so bony

I put him on my scale, and the needle didn't move

catpack · Aug 17, 2013

#1: Combo test (FIV/FeLV)
#2: Fecal test/Deworm
#3: Capstar or Revolution treatment for fleas
#4: FVRCP vaccine

matts mom · Aug 18, 2013

savingpaws said:
#1: Combo test (FIV/FeLV)
#2: Fecal test/Deworm
#3: Capstar or Revolution treatment for fleas
#4: FVRCP vaccine

he went in and we did the fecal test, deworm and Revolution.

Vet told us about the combotest and we're going to do it when we go back in ten days for his shots. They couldn't vaccinate him because he's so little(only1.1lb) and very thin and has worms, and ear mites and had fleas up until I gave him a bath 2 days ago. He should put some weight on without the worms taking the nutrients away from him now though

What to do at the first vet trip?

matts mom

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