Our most important recommendations for prevention and good posture
Cats - Vaccinations and prophylaxis
Basic vaccination:
Vaccination in the 8th week of life
Vaccination in the 12th week of life
Vaccination in the 16th week of life
In order to obtain adequate vaccination protection, kittens must be vaccinated 2-3 times at intervals of 3-4 weeks and receive a booster no later than 1 year later, ideally between the ages of 6 and 12 months. After that, they should be revaccinated every 1-3 years depending on the risk. We adjust the ingredients of the vaccination annually to the individual risk. Pure domestic cats are vaccinated against cat flu and feline enteritis.
In addition to cat flu and feline enteritis, outdoor cats are also vaccinated against leukosis. Before the first leukosis vaccination, a drop of blood and a rapid test should be taken to check whether the kitten is free of leukosis and AIDS.
Rabies vaccination:
Only necessary for abroad. Possible from the 12th week of life, ideally from the 6th month of life. One vaccination is valid for 3 years. Vaccinate at least 3 weeks before crossing the border! In addition, a passport and chip are required, which we fill in or place at the practice.
Deworming or parasitological fecal examination at our practice:
Kittens: Either at the breeder's every 2 weeks from 4 weeks of age or otherwise 2 x every 2-4 weeks after adoption
- Pure domestic cats: 1 - 2 x per year
- Free-range animals that do not hunt or eat a lot of grass: every 3 months
- Hunters (mice, birds, etc.), grazers, stay in the south/east and contact with small children:
1 x per month
For worming, there are either tablets (Milbemax) or a spot-on (Profender).
There is also a spot-on preparation that is effective against fleas, ticks and worms at the same time (Nexgard Combo). Caution: Tapeworms and roundworms are also transmitted to humans!
For a parasitological fecal examination, bring fresh feces (ideally from 3 consecutive days, wrapped in damp household paper) to our practice.
Flea, tick and mosquito prophylaxis:
Fleas are also present in winter, they transmit tapeworms and various serious diseases! Every 3 months with a spot-on preparation (Bravecto), a special collar (Seresto, effective for 7 months) or a monthly tablet (Credelio). There is also a spot-on preparation which is effective against fleas, ticks and worms at the same time (Nexgard Combo). Please come to our practice for advice on the best product to suit your cat and its individual risk.
Ear mites:
This is mainly found in young cats from farms and can be treated with well-tolerated medication and ear cleaning.
Giardia and Tritrichomonas:
Unicellular parasites, occurs mainly in kittens or young cats, causes diarrhea or soft feces, needs a special deworming treatment. If suspected, we can detect these parasites in the feces.
Hemotropic mycoplasma, ehrlichiosis, anaplasma, cytauxzoon, leishmania, babesia, heartworm, yersinia pestis, bartonella, rickettsia, tularemia and hepatozoon:
Some of these pathogens can also be transmitted to pure domestic cats in Switzerland via stinging insects and are often life-threatening. Another part is introduced via travel or imported cats from the USA, Southern and Eastern Europe. Some of these pathogens can also be transmitted to humans and cause disease. Prophylaxis is good year-round flea, tick and mosquito protection and, in some cases, deworming.
Lungworms:
Increased occurrence also in Switzerland. Transmission via snails and their mucus when grass is eaten. Prophylaxis: Monthly deworming with Milbemax or Spot-On Nexgard Combo.
Castration:
Female: from 4 months of age until just before 6 months of age at the latest, preferably before the first heat, as protection against mammary cancer and uterine suppuration. If the kitten is used for breeding, the pill can also be given from the 6th month of life or she can be kept away from males. A female cat should not be mated before she is one year old.
Male cats: Possible from 4 months of age, usually around 6 months of age, at the latest when the urine develops a strong inherent odor or is marked. Good protection against FIV (feline aids) and leukosis (FeLV).
Microchip:
Is the most common and reliable identification of cats. An animal that has had an accident can be identified immediately at the vet and the owners can be notified. Mandatory when traveling abroad.
There is also a cat door or automatic feeder that only lets in or feeds your own cats with the correct number.
Preventive medical check-ups:
From the age of 11 at the latest, we recommend annual blood pressure measurements and blood tests; from the age of 15, these should be carried out every 6 months.
Is the cat in acute pain?
https://www.felinegrimacescale.com/ On this homepage you can find simple facial features that indicate acute pain or discomfort. The appropriate app can also be downloaded.
Arthrosis pain:
Does the cat show stiff legs/muscles after lying down? Difficulty or hesitation when jumping up or down? Does the fur on the back of the back or thigh become matted (can no longer groom itself so well)? Difficulty walking up and down stairs? Would like to be offered a raised food bowl? No longer wants to be picked up on your arm? Contact us if you recognize such symptoms, they can also occur in younger cats!
Abdominal pain:
Cats then do not lie relaxed on their side but "crouch" with their backs arched.
Toothache:
Many cats hardly show even the worst toothache. Sometimes, however, they struggle to eat, sometimes with dry food, sometimes with wet food, chattering their teeth, rubbing their mouth after eating... 80-90% of cats develop painful dental lesions, called resorptive lesions or FORL, at some point in their lives. We recommend having your cat's teeth checked at least once a year.
Toxic: further information can also be found here: www.clinitox.ch
All anti-inflammatory drugs / rheumatism medications from humans (such as paracetamol, aspirin, ibuprofen, Voltaren etc); grapes, chocolate, coffee, tea tree oil, many essential oils, THC (often present in tiny amounts in CBD oils!)...
Nutrition:
A cat's natural eating behavior is a "snack" - it eats small meals day and night. Ideally, the natural eating behavior should be imitated and "captured" via food games. In other words, cats should work for their food. Cats need surprisingly little food, usually too much is offered and the cats eat because they are bored. You can find lots of information on species-appropriate nutrition for cats here: https://www.stvv.ch/dokumente/merkblaetter/FuetterungKz_d.pdf
Cat toilets:
- At least 1 toilet plus 1 per cat, i.e. with 2 cats you need 3 litter trays
1 cat box per floor
1 cat box per 50-70m2
Ideal size 50 x 70 cm without lid (for example, take a DIY box and cut a deep door into it) or buy a "jumbo" from us.
Soiling prophylaxis: does your cat mark or urinate in inappropriate places? Read more about this with tips and tricks: https://www.stvv.ch/dokumente/merkblaetter/Unsauberkeit_d.pdf
Katzen-Praxis.ch, Einsiedlerstrasse 535, 8810 Horgen, 044 305 70 70, info@katzen-praxis.ch