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When to take a new kitten to vet for the first time
We have a 9 week old Maine Coon kitten. He seems healthy (eating well, playful, etc.) but should I take him to a vet just for a check up? Are there any shots that he needs? Are there any good websites to find this kind of information on for future reference?
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Your kitten is probably fine, and congratulations on getting a Maine Coon...they're great cats. A first checkup is important for a number of reasons, including deworming, first shots, etc... This first checkup should probably be done at between 8 and 10 weeks. Don't forget...the rabies shot given at this time will need to be followed up at a prescribed time with a booster shot. I don't know about good websites, though I know that there are a number out there. Your best bet is a quick phone call to a few vets and compare answers. That's what I did with my cats, and it worked out fine.
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Most breeders (I'm assuming since he's a purebred that he came from a breeder) will give certain vaccines or dewormers in the first 6 to 8 weeks. At the Vet clinic that I work at, we recommend vaccines at 6 weeks, then 8 weeks, and 12 weeks. If they didn't get 6 week vaccines, then they should get vaccines at 8weeks, then 12 and 16 weeks.
Here's a quick schedule. Bring him in now, and if he hasn't had vaccines before, then he should get a distemper vaccine. He should also get a feline Leukemia vaccine if he will be going outside at all. At this visit he should also be dewormed (all kittens and puppies are born with worms, don't let anyone tell you otherwise).
His next visit should be in 3 to 4 weeks. At this time he will be older than 12 weeks and will be old enough to have his rabies vaccine. He should get his rabies vaccine, and a booster of both his distemper and feline leukemia (if you decide on that). He should also be dewormed again (worms will shed every 2 weeks or so, so he'll have more to get rid of).
Now, the next part is up to what your veterinarian recommends. He should be ok with just the one booster of distemper and leukemia, but some vet's might recommend two boosters.
Otherwise, his next visit should be his castration (neutering). This should be done anytime after 16 weeks (4 months). The sooner the better it is for him and you, since he wont have time to learn any male bad behavior like marking his territory. This can be scheduled with his last set of vaccines, but some vet's opt to wait a couple of weeks after to cut back on risk of vaccine reaction. I've heard some say that it will slow healing time if they get the vaccine the same day as having a surgery, but really, feline castrations are so minor of a surgery it really should affect him much.
At his 1 year visit, he will most likely have a distemper vaccine, feline leukemia (if you opted for that) and a rabies vaccine. We use the 1 year rabies, because it's much safer than the 3 year. We use a 3 year distemper vaccine, but for the first year we like to booster it in 1 year, after that it can be done every 3 years. And, for the leukemia vaccine, that it a 1 year vaccine.
Does that answer your question? Sorry, I don't know of any websites, but you could try to go to the website of your veterinarian and see if they have any info on their specific vaccine protocol.
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Yes, you should definitely bring your new kitty in to the vet. Your kitty will need shots for distemper, feline leukemia and rabies. Once you talk to a vet they will let you know what other shots your kitty may need and they will keep you posted on further shots as well.
Also, if you are going to have them spayed or neutered (always a good idea to help the over population of animals) you will have to wait a few months but you can at least discuss it with your vet.
Good luck with your new friend!
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