Preventative Care of Felines

Normal Vital Signs

Temperature: 100-103.1*F
Heart Rate: Kittens: 130-140 beats per minute
                     Adult: 100-120 beats per minute
Respiration Rate: 15-30 breaths per minute

Note: Temperatures will normally fluctuate over the course of the day. The following may increase body temperature: time of day (pm), food intake, muscular activity, approaching estrus, during gestation, and high external temperatures. The following may decrease body temperature: intake of large quantities of cool fluids, time of day (am), and low atmospheric temperature.

Reproduction
First Estrus Cycle: Appears between 4-12 months of age, lasts 2-19 days, occur every 4-30 days.
Gestation Period: Range: 58-70 days          Mean: 63 days
Number of Young: Average is 4-6
Suckling Period: 3-6 weeks

Recommended Vaccination Schedule
6-8 weeks: PRC vaccination: Panleukopenia, Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus
                   Deworming: depending on parasitic infestation
8-10 weeks: PRC vaccination: Panleukopenia, Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus
                     Feline Leukemia vaccination
                     Deworming
10-12 weeks: PRC vaccination: Panleukopenia, Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus
                       Feline Leukemia vaccination (if it is going to live outside)
                       Rabies vaccination
                       Deworming
BOOSTERS: Feline PRC- yearly
                       Feline Leukemia- yearly (if outside cat)
                       Rabies- yearly
                       Deworm- yearly

Neutering or spaying of your pet is recommended at 6 months of age unless you are planning to breed. If at all possible, it is best to have this surgery done BEFORE your pet becomes reproductively active- before the first heat cycle.

The information on this page is a general guideline. If at any time you have any questions concerning your cat or kitten, please feel free to contact us.