Veterinarians agree: Keeping your kitten in good health is more effective and affordable than needing to get them back to good health. Cats between birth to 12 months old are considered to be in their kitten years. (Think about humans between birth to 15 years old.) They have a lot of energy, sharp minds, and mobile joints. But to keep that positive momentum going into their adult years, discuss frequency of wellness exams with your kitten’s veterinarian as this is dependent on their unique health. We have over 350 trusted local vets in neighborhoods across the nation, so
check if we’re in yours and book an appointment today.
Now let’s break down what the gold standard of veterinary care includes and what financial support we offer, particularly for your kitten at their young stage of life. We’ll cover:
Annual Exams: Why they matter, what to expect, and what to bring along.
CareCredit: What it is, how you can use it, and why it helps.**
Does My Kitten Really Need an Annual Exam If They Already Seem Healthy?
Yes! Wellness exams are routine checkups to help maintain your pet’s good health and catch anything under the surface that may go otherwise unnoticed. It’s especially important at the start of their life to set them up for a healthy, happy lifetime with you. A full nose-to-tail exam at our hospitals includes a check for too much or too little weight, coat/skin concerns, dental health issues, ears/eyes problems, poor mobility and joints, heart and/or lung dysfunction, blood, urine, and fecal issues, and any vaccinations that may be due. Kittens need core vaccinations starting at 8 weeks through 16 weeks. Talk to your veterinarian about this vaccine schedule and the appropriate time to spay or neuter.
It’s also a good idea to get your pet insurance early. You can also ask your veterinary team for recommendations to help with unexpected medical costs in future.
What Happens at My Kitten’s Annual Exam?
Expect a warm welcome! We treat every pet like they’re our own, and your kitten will be no different. Check in at the front desk and then when we’re ready for your appointment to begin, we’ll start with a full physical exam:
1 Body: Physical Exam for Your Kitten
The exam begins by checking your pet's stance and movement before feeling any signs of swelling or pain over the whole body. We also look for any sign of illness such as unusual discharge, irritation, or inflammation around the nose, eyes, and ears.
2 Kitten Dental Care: Teeth and Mouth Checkup
The inside of your kitten’s mouth is examined. At-home dental care will be discussed to help you maintain your kitty’s healthy teeth, gums, and mouth.
3 Organs: Your Kitten’s Health from the Inside
Troubles in these major organ areas can be indicative of serious disease, so it’s an important part of the examination process. We listen to the heart and lungs and then feel the abdomen for any signs of distress. Cats can have undetected heart murmurs, but listening to their heart with professional tools can detect this and lead to early intervention for heart disease if needed.
4 Dermatology: Skin, Coat, and Nail Inspection for Kittens
An overall exam of the skin and hair coat is performed to check for signs of hair loss, dryness, parasites, or abnormal lumps. Your pet’s feet and nails are examined for signs of damage or inflammation, and your vet can also perform a nail trim if requested.
5 Nutrition and Weight: Your Kitten’s Diet and Exercise
Your pet’s weight will be recorded and evaluated against pets of a similar age, breed, size, and gender. Your veterinarian will let you know if there are concerns over their weight. We may ask about your pet’s lifestyle, diet, exercise routine, urination and bowel movements, thirst levels, and general behavior. Are they eating less or more than usual? Have they gained or lost weight?
6 Microchip Checkup: Keeping Contact Info Up to Date
We’ll also update your pet’s microchip if needed. Keeping this info up to date is key to a greater chance of being reunited if your kitten ever goes missing. Often, this is done at the same time as a spay and neuter procedure.
7 General
Blood, fecal, and urine analysis may be suggested to test for diseases that don’t always show visible symptoms. (Pets are pros at hiding pain and discomfort!) It’s also so important to set a baseline, especially when healthy, so that we have your pet’s “normal” to compare to over time and can act earlier if sudden changes occur.
8 Preventive : Required Vaccines for Kittens***
Vaccines are a safe and effective way to protect your kitty from harmful diseases and for you to avoid expensive treatment plans. Plus, some diseases like rabies can transfer from pets to humans, so you’re protecting yourself and your family too! Most states require this by law as it is a fatal, incurable disease. Any vaccines that are due will be recommended and discussed. Kittens require a series of core vaccinations regardless of lifestyle or environment. These include FVRCP (which protects against Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Feline Calicivirus, and Feline Panleukopenia), Rabies and FeLV vaccines.
9 Parasite Prevention: According to Your Kitten’s Lifestyle and Location
Flea, tick, and heartworm prevention will be discussed according to your pet’s lifestyle and home location. Parasite prevention medication can kill or repel these pests before disease is transferred to your kitten. This is the best way to protect because it offers them an invisible shield, no matter where they may roam!
Heartworm disease comes from the bite of an infected mosquito.
That’s right, it can fly into the home and that means even indoor-only kittens are at risk. Companion Animal Parasite Council reported that heartworm disease continues to show high risk along the Mississippi River, throughout southern portions of the Midwest, and along the Atlantic coast into Virginia and southern New Jersey. The risk continues to increase in the mid-Atlantic region, pushing northward into the densely populated regions of the northeast. Additional areas likely to experience increased risk include New Mexico, portions of Colorado, and the northern Great Plains. It’s important to note that while risk may be lower in some areas, heartworm disease is found in all states. Heartworm disease is a life-threatening condition that has no cure for cats. So prevention is an absolute must!
What Should I Bring to My Kitten’s Annual Wellness Exam?
Show and Tell: Gather any notes, photos, or videos that may help contribute to your discussion. It’s especially helpful if you notice anything off about your kitten because not all symptoms may present themselves during the exam.
Check Vaccine Requirements: If you plan to have your pet in daycare or boarding in the coming year,
check the vaccine requirements of your specific facility and communicate these needs at your pet’s exam appointment.
Gather Food Labels: Note the diet your pet is currently on, as well as the amount you are feeding daily. It’s super helpful to take a photo of the ingredient list!
Bring the Stool: Be cool—bring the stool! An annual exam is the perfect time to check your pet’s stool (yes, poop!) for any
intestinal parasites. A marble size amount is sufficient and must be less than 24 hours old. You can bring it in a closed, disposable bag or container.
Pet Insurance Information: Bringing along their pet insurance information allows us to provide accurate cost estimates and process claims more efficiently.
What Is and How Does It Help Me Fit My Kitten’s Care into My Budget?
Thrive Plus is our membership offered by many of our primary care veterinarians in neighborhoods across the nation. It’s our way of supporting you in saying yes to the best care for your kitten, every time. With monthly or annual payments, you get to put your mind at ease and care for your best friend to the max with:
What Is the CareCredit Credit Card and How Does It Help Me Get the Care My Kitten Needs?
CareCredit is a kitten-loving partner of Thrive Pet Healthcare and the CareCredit credit card is accepted at all our veterinary hospitals. It allows you to spread veterinary care payments over a 6- or 12-month period, so you can focus on your pet’s care today.****** Best part? It works alongside Thrive Plus membership and pet insurance!
Check if you’re preapproved with no impact to your credit score. You can use the CareCredit credit card for a wide range of veterinary services, including primary, specialty, and emergency care. Break up payments for your pet’s care over time and avoid sudden financial setbacks when unexpected care for your kitten may be needed.
**Subject to credit approval. The information herein is for promotional purposes only and Thrive Pet Healthcare and its subsidiaries/partners/facilities are not responsible for credit decisions made by CareCredit. See the CareCredit website linked above for more information on how to get the care you want or need and pay over time.
***Vaccine requirements and schedules can vary by state and by individual pet needs. Your veterinarian stays up to date on local regulations and medical guidelines and can recommend the right vaccines and timing for your pet.
****Apply to general practice exams only, and hospital fees may apply.
******No interest will be charged on the promo purchase if you pay it off, in full, within the promo period. If you do not, interest will be charged on the promo purchase from the purchase date. The required minimum monthly payments may or may not pay off the promo purchase before the end of the promo period, depending on purchase amount, promo length and payment allocation. Regular account terms apply to non-promo purchases and, after promo period ends, to the promo balance. For New Accounts as of 5/30/24: Purchase APR 32.99%. Penalty APR 39.99%. Minimum Interest Charge $2. Existing cardholders: See your credit card agreement terms.
