Cat Advice

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It is important that your cat is vaccinated annually to prevent against the main feline diseases, these include cat flu and feline infectious enteritis, and feline leukaemia. It is recommended to start the course at 9 weeks of age and a second dose at 12 weeks. From then on an annual booster is required. Here are some of the symptoms associated with the diseases:

Cat Flu: Severe respiratory infections
Feline infectious enteritis: Severe gastroenteritis, can affect ALL cats, even if they do not go outside
Feline Leukaemia Virus: A disease that affects the immune system, leading to certain cancers and can lead to chronic conjunctivitis.
Rabies: A progressive and fatal disease that affects the nervous system and can be transmitted to humans with fatal consequences. This is an exotic disease and is required for all animals needing a passport.

Microchipping

Microchips are an excellent way to identify your cat if they decide to slip their collar and get lost in the great outdoors. They can be easily reunited with you when checked for a chip at the vets or rescue centre. It is quick, safe and in expensive and can be inserted without an anaesthetic. Bio therm microchips are a good option for cats that don't like their temperature being taken as it can be read with the scanner rather than the traditional way.

Insurance

We strongly recommend insuring your cat. It offers peace of mind should your pet be injured or diagnosed with an ongoing illness that may require lengthy and expensive treatment. Please consult us for advice.

Neutering

We usually recommend 4 months of age for a castrate or a spay. This removes the risks of unwanted mating, wandering, fighting and urine spraying. Risk of uterine infections, uterine cancers and testicular cancer are all removed.

Geriatric checks

If your little cat is in his elder years please come down for a geriatric health check. Often arthritis, dental, kidney and thyroid problems show themselves in the latter years of life.

General Advice

In order to keep your cat healthy it is important to have daily exercise, and weigh out their daily intake of food. Not all cats know when to stop eating!

We recommend a high quality well balanced dry food rather than pouches or tins that are often low in nutritional value. Diet is important to your cat’s health and the requirements change with age so please discuss this with the vet or nurse when you come and visit. We can work out cost per day and how much your cat requires.

Other things to consider are regular worming and flea and tick treatment. Ticks can cause Lyme’s disease and are prevalent on the Quantocks. If you have any pet concerns or just want a general health and dental checks please make an appointment to discuss with your vet.