Your New Kitten

We strongly recommend that your cat is neutered. Apart from the obvious benefit of preventing unwanted pregnancies having your cat neutered reduces the risk of disease and can help prevent antisocial behaviour. Cats can be castrated or spayed from 4 months.

Ticks

Unfortunately ticks are extremely common in the countryside of North Devon and can potentially transmit infectious diseases. Once attached Ticks bury their head into the skin and feed on your pet’s blood. They grow to many times their original size as they feed.

Preventative treatments for ticks in cats are available and we will be happy to discuss these treatments with you. If you discover a tick on your pet we strongly recommend that you do not simply pull it off – often the head and mouth parts detach and are left behind in your pet's skin. The Market Vets Team will happily remove ticks from your pet, show you how to use a tick remover and discuss preventative treatments.

Fleas

Fleas are common parasites in cats and modern, warm houses unfortunately mean that they are now active the whole year round. This coupled with the fact that the fleas found on your pet represent only the tip of the iceberg - for each adult flea on your pet there will be at least 20 developing in the environment - means that regular preventative treatment is essential to keep your cat and house flea free.
Effective flea control means treating your pet and its environment and we are happy to provide advice on how to maintain a flea free home!

Effective flea control is also essential for the good health of your cat – as well as causing itchy and uncomfortable skin fleas can act as an intermediary host and spread tapeworm.

Worms

Regular worming is important for both your Kitten and family's health. There are a number of safe and effective ways to keep your Kitten worm free and we will happily give advice and tailor a worming regime to suit you and your cat’s lifestyle.

The arrival of a new kitten is an exciting moment for all the family but it is important to remember that they need protecting from infectious disease. As long as their mother was regularly vaccinated kittens will be protected from the common infectious diseases during the first few weeks of life. However this protection gradually wanes and kittens can be vaccinated from 8 weeks of age. They then need a second injection 3-4 weeks later and will require a yearly booster to maintain protection. 

The vaccination appointment gives us an excellent opportunity to give your new Kitten a thorough health examination and to answer any questions you may have.

Vaccination protects against Cat Flu, Enteritis, and Feline Leukaemia Virus.