Cat Wellness Exams

Because our veterinarians believe strongly in prevention and early disease detection, we recommend twice yearly exams for all pets in. In addition to these vaccines, our veterinary team recommends including regular blood work to identify diseases. We also recommend checking your pet’s stool twice yearly to identify intestinal parasites which can affect both their health and the health of your family.

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Jump to:

• What to Expect During Your Pet’s Wellness Exams
• Kitten Vaccinations
• Senior Wellness

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What to Expect During Your Pet’s Wellness Exams

At your pet’s bi-annual pet wellness exams, our veterinarians will do a thorough physical exam, dental exam, discuss your pet’s lifestyle, answer any questions you may have about your pet’s physical well being, behavior, and nutrition. They will make recommendations for parasite prevention and specific diagnostics or treatment based on your pet’s needs.

Our veterinarians will decide with you which vaccines your pet needs based on their lifestyle. For cats, our veterinary team recommends the FVRCP to prevent feline rhino tracheitis, caliciviral, and panleukopenia, in addition to rabies. We offer 3 year options for these vaccines for pets who qualify. Additionally, we carry the feline leukemia vaccine. Kittens begin their vaccine series between 8 and 10 weeks of age.

Feline Vaccinations: 

• Leukemia, Feline Rabies 1YR Purevax, Feline FVRCCP 1YR, Feline Rabies/FVRCCP combo

Ferret Vaccinations:

• Ferret Distemper 1YR   Ferret Rabies 1YR

Haines Road Animal Hospital is proud to be a premier animal wellness clinic.  Give us a call at (727) 351-8478 today!

A Full Exam is recommended every 6 months (after all that’s 3.5 human years). We also recommend routine bloodwork (internal exam), a fecal (internal parasite check), Heart Worm Test, Oral Exam, Proheart Injection (canines only), or some type of heartworm preventative & Flea and tick preventative.  Our senior patients are always offered Blood Pressure checks & ECG’s as well!

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Kitten Vaccinations

Kitten Visit and Vaccine Protocol at Haines Road Animal Hospital in Saint Petersburg

Kitten vaccines should start ideally at 6 to 8 weeks of age

1st Kitten Visit – 6 to 8 weeks of age

FIV/Feline Leukemia combo test FVRCP tempFecal ExamDewormOffice ExamRevolution Plus 8 weeks or older 

2nd Kitten Visit – 9 to 11 weeks of age

FVRCP tempFecal Exam Deworm Office Exam2nd Dose of Revolution Plus

3rd Kitten Visit – 12 to 14 weeks of age

FVRCP tempFeline Leukemia temp (outdoor cats) Deworm Office Exam 3rd dose of Revolution Plus

4th Kitten Visit – 15 to 17 weeks of age

FVRCP Annual Feline Leukemia Annual (if pt had vxn prior) Deworming Rabies Fecal Exam Office Exam

** If the kitten is over 5lbs then they can purchase a 6 month supply of Revolution Plus.**

Feline Vaccines:

C – Calicivirus Pneumonitis

Produces cold like symptoms in cats. May also cause raw ulcers on their lips and tongues.

C – Chlamydia

Causes mainly upper respiratory infection.Tends to favor the eyes and can cause infections.Can be passed through infected fluids such as sneezing, coughing or eye discharge.

R – Rhinotracheitis

This is Highly Contagious upper respiratory disease. Transmitted by airborne routes, direct contact and contaminated objects

Felv- Feline Leukemia Virus

It is responsible for about 1/3 of all cancer deaths among cats.Spreads from all secretions of an infected catThis virus is short lived outside the hostTransmitted via grooming, sneezing, fighting, contaminated objects and other feline social contacts.

FIV – Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

Attacks and weakens the immune systemSpreads primarily through bite wounds between fighting cats.

R – Rabies

This is a zoonotic disease(can be transmitted to humans) that attacks the central nervous system. Can be transmitted through a bite from a rabid animal.

Senior Cat Wellness

It can be hard to admit when we see the signs of old age in our animal companions, but the fact is that most dogs are considered seniors when they hit seven, cats around nine. Pets age much more rapidly than humans, which means diseases and illness progress quicker as well.

To ensure that your pet has the longest, healthiest, most comfortable life possible, Haines Road Animal Hospital encourages you to bring your senior pet for exams and blood tests twice each year. This way, we can track how your pet is aging, and we’ll be more likely to catch any developing diseases before they’re big problems.

Blood tests are one of the most important parts of a senior exam. These blood screenings—often referred to as a “senior panel”— monitor red and white blood cell counts and reveal how well the kidney, liver, pancreas, and thyroid are functioning. Your vet may recommend a chest x-ray to ensure that the heart is a normal size and that there are no masses in the lungs.

Periodontal disease is always a threat to our pets’ health and comfort, and it’s particularly tough on older pets. That’s why a dental exam is always part of any senior pet screening as well.

Finally, make sure to let your vet know about any behavior changes in your pet. Once dogs and cat get to the geriatric stage, monitoring for signs of cognitive dysfunction—such as losing housebreaking, getting lost or wandering aimlessly—is very important.

Schedule A Wellness Exam For Your Cat In St. Petersburg, FL

At Haines Road Animal Hospital, our veterinary staff is here to ensure that your cat is able to enjoy a long and healthy life as your companion. Call us today to make a cat wellness exam with one of our veterinarians. You can reach us now at: (727) 351-8478