Due to lack of space, we will outline a feline health care guide and each month have a specific health topic to discuss.

8 weeks to 12 months- It is best to leave a kitten with the queen until at  least 7 weeks of age for socialization.  At 8-10 weeks, a kitten should have its first veterinary health check, vaccines (type determined by the veterinarian) and dewormer. Some kittens may have congenital problems or parasites that can be treated.  A booster vaccine is needed in 4 weeks. Your kitten should be spayed/neutered by 6 months, be on flea control year-round, and be on a top quality preventive diet.  Consider purchasing pet health insurance since a lot of illnesses and injuries happen during the first year of life.

12 months to 8 years-At this time, medical needs vary depending on the cat's genetics, environment, activity and diet.  Most cats should have a yearly visit to the veterinarian for a wellness exam (eyes,ears, teeth, heart, etc), vaccines, fecal tests, deworming, and a weigh-in.  Some cats may require a change in diet, a dental procedure, or laboratory tests depending on the examination findings.

8 years and up: For a lot of cats, these are the senior and geriatric years.  A cat's needs change as its body ages.  Since cats age at least 4 times as fast as people, a lot can happen if we only see your cat once a year.  Diseases that could have been caught early may be in advanced stages.     

Senior/Geriatric Diseases: There are major diseases in cats that commonly occur in their senior years.  We recommend examinations by your veterinarian every six months to help identify abnormalities early in the course of a disease.  Kidney failure, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and heart disease can all be treated better if diagnosed early. If your cat is losing weight, drinking or urinating excessively, or vomiting more frequently, you should see your veterinarian.  Like human medicine, veterinary medicine has developed into a preventive health and wellness management strategy recently.

For after-hours medical emergencies (nights after 5:00 pm, Sundays and Holidays) please call: Central Island Veterinary Emergency Hospital (250-933-0913). The hospital is located at 6550 Metral Drive in Nanaimo across from Home Depot.