Performing a comprehensive physical examination is important in determining the health of your pet. During your consultation, our veterinarians at Apple Creek Animal Hospital will examine your kitten or puppy from nose to tail. We will take the time and effort to examine every body system and assess for any potential health risk or congenital diseases such as ocular or oral diseases, cardiovascular abnormalities, umbilical hernias, and retained testicles.
Puppies and kittens have a tendency to pick up intestinal worms or even protozoan parasites. A source of these parasites can come from the environment or from their mothers. Untreated, intestinal parasites can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, dehydration, and stunted growth. To prevent illness or achieve early detection, we recommend a fecal test for your puppy or kitten on your first appointment, and as a precaution, a broad spectrum deworming treatment will be given with every kitten and puppy vaccination.
Kitten vaccinations will help prevent potentially life long chronic infections and serious illness. Kittens should receive their first vaccines at approximately 8 weeks of age. Following the first vaccine, the next two set of vaccines are given at 12 weeks and 16 weeks of age. At each vaccination, a core vaccine called FVRCP is given. This vaccination will protect against upper respiratory infections caused by Herpesvirus and Calicivirus, and also feline Panleukopenia. Feline Panleukopenia can lead to gastrointestinal signs, severe dehydration, anemia, low white blood cell count, and even death. Kittens can catch the disease from the environment or from infected cats. At 16 weeks of age, in addition to the FVRCP vaccine we also administer the rabies vaccine. Rabies is fatal if contracted and is a serious concern to you and your family.
In addition to the core vaccines, FVRCP and Rabies, we also offer lifestyle vaccines for outdoor cats. The Feline Leukaemia virus can cause serious illness, such as bone marrow suppression, and lymphoma, a type of cancer. Once diagnosed, approximately 85% of cats will die within 3 years. It is spread from the bodily fluids (saliva and blood) from infected cats. It is an important vaccine to ask your veterinarian about.