Cats

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Health Care

WORMING

Worm your kitten every 2 weeks from birth until 3 months of age then once a month to 6 months. Worm the mother cat at the same time. By 6 months use an adult wormer. Worm adult cats every 3 - 4 months for the rest of their lives. Adult wormers, whether paste or a tablet, should kill roundworm, hookworm and tapeworm. Tapeworm is transmitted by fleas and is extremely common.

Canine heartworm does infect cats but only at a rate of about 10% of the infection rate for dogs. In Melbourne , where the risk is 5 % in unprotected dogs, the cat rate is less than 0.5 %. Currently veterinarians are not recommending cats go on preventive treatment here in Melbourne however in areas where the risks are higher for dogs you should check with your local veterinary clinic. Monthly tablets to kill larval stages (see dog heartworm) are available. Also Revolution (a flea, roundworm and hookworm, and heartworm spot-on for cats - see fleas) is 100 % effective in preventing heartworm in cats. Heartworm causes sudden death in cats.

VACCINATION

Cats are vaccinated against three viral diseases that can be fatal. These are Feline Enteritis and two types of Cat Flu. Good general care, feeding and hygiene are important but will not prevent these diseases.

Vaccination

Age

1st vaccination "F4" (temporary shot)

6-8 weeks

2nd vaccination "F4" (permanent shot)

12 weeks

3rd vaccination "FRFC" or "F2"(flu booster)

16 weeks

Yearly boosters are required to maintain immunity. Where a cat is overdue it may require a booster a month later to re-establish this immunity. Flu boosters must be within 5 weeks of the permanent injection. Cats can also be vaccinated against Feline Leukemia, Chlamydia and Feline AIDS (FIV).

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