to you vet medical ppl and others:
Angel had a vet visit before I got her in Feb.- they gave her 3 doses of Drontal and Strongid thru 3/12/08. Is this the usual routine - 3 dosages?
She was also altered, got Advantage, rabies vac., dental cleaning, FIV test- negative, and FVRCCP. Since she will be an inside only cat does she need the last injection next year, too?
meds for Angel
Re: meds for Angel
Did they give her 3 dosages at once? Or 3 dosages over the course of 6 weeks. I believe deworming is once every two weeks.
As far as the vaccines, some states require by law for a pet to have their rabies shots. The boosters are a preventative, regardless of indoor only status, against upper respiratory infections, picking up something from another feline house mate, etc. Actually she's an only cat right? I'd be worried about what the dogs could bring in from the outside so would keep her vaccinated on a yearly schedule.
That's just my opinion and experience with the crew of 9 of my own, my mom's cat one flight down and my sister's cat & dog two flights down.
As far as the vaccines, some states require by law for a pet to have their rabies shots. The boosters are a preventative, regardless of indoor only status, against upper respiratory infections, picking up something from another feline house mate, etc. Actually she's an only cat right? I'd be worried about what the dogs could bring in from the outside so would keep her vaccinated on a yearly schedule.
That's just my opinion and experience with the crew of 9 of my own, my mom's cat one flight down and my sister's cat & dog two flights down.
Re: meds for Angel
Cleo- they gave her 3 dosages spaced over 3 weeks. She is the only pet, no other cats or dogs.
Also wonder which is better for fleas..Frontline or Advantage (& what can I get without vets script?)
Also wonder which is better for fleas..Frontline or Advantage (& what can I get without vets script?)
Re: meds for Angel
I've only used Frontline but Advantage I believe is comparable and just as good. You don't need a vets script for either. It's applied once a month but if they gave it to her already and you don't find any fleas or flea dirt, there may not be a need to repeat it unless you're worried about what the dogs carry in. Then again, if your dogs are protected (what do you use on them) then kitty should be okay.
Re: meds for Angel
Also, my experience with the deworming was two dosages spaced apart by 2 weeks. Not sure why she had 3 unless they repeated a fecal exam (?) and found she still had parasites.
Re: meds for Angel
Drontal usually is only given once, and if drontal, there was no need for strongid, unless there was evidence of roundworms. Strongid is generally given twice, 14 days apart. Unless vomiting or expelling worms in feces was evident, she should only have been dewormed once with drontal, and two doses of strongid.
You said she was tested for FIV, but do you mean she was tested for FELV/FIV, this is a combo snap test that tests for both.
Pending a negative test for FELV/FIV, she should recieve at least one vaccination for FELV, if she has never been vaccinated for FELV. You never know when you might decide to adopt another cat, so that vaccine is important.
The FVRCP should only be required every three years.
Was all the vet care given via the rescue organization? Have you had Angel seen by your OWN vet? We always advise newly adopted pets are seen immediately by owner's own vets because you can't always trust shelter vets (poor record keeping, unknown health history, overkill on some things like deworming and flea control etc)
As for flea control, if she doesn't have fleas and you don't generally have a flea problem in your home, then she doesn't need monthly treatment. If however, you do have a flea problem, then ask your vet for Advantage or Frontline for cats, both are equally effective. Please ONLY buy the product from your vet, because if you buy elsewhere, you risk counterfeit products, or void the manufacturer's gaurantee if not bought through a vet. For the record, Bayer, Merial, etc do NOT intentially sell to anyone other than through vets...occasionally, some vet/pet stores online will sell the products but that doesn't mean they were obtained legitimately.
You said she was tested for FIV, but do you mean she was tested for FELV/FIV, this is a combo snap test that tests for both.
Pending a negative test for FELV/FIV, she should recieve at least one vaccination for FELV, if she has never been vaccinated for FELV. You never know when you might decide to adopt another cat, so that vaccine is important.
The FVRCP should only be required every three years.
Was all the vet care given via the rescue organization? Have you had Angel seen by your OWN vet? We always advise newly adopted pets are seen immediately by owner's own vets because you can't always trust shelter vets (poor record keeping, unknown health history, overkill on some things like deworming and flea control etc)
As for flea control, if she doesn't have fleas and you don't generally have a flea problem in your home, then she doesn't need monthly treatment. If however, you do have a flea problem, then ask your vet for Advantage or Frontline for cats, both are equally effective. Please ONLY buy the product from your vet, because if you buy elsewhere, you risk counterfeit products, or void the manufacturer's gaurantee if not bought through a vet. For the record, Bayer, Merial, etc do NOT intentially sell to anyone other than through vets...occasionally, some vet/pet stores online will sell the products but that doesn't mean they were obtained legitimately.
..........Traci
Re: meds for Angel
Okay, I stand corrected on buying the flea control elsewhere but still, you don't need a script for it and like Traci said, don't need it unless you have a flea problem.
Re: meds for Angel
The only reason I thought about continuing flea control is that a couple of times she kinda dug right in there in response to an itch. But I brushed her fur backwards and didn't see any fleas or flea dirt - looks like oregano flakes right?
Re: meds for Angel
Flea dirt looks like flecs of pepper. Fleas themselves are tiny, but you'd see them if they were on her fur or skin. Also check her ears, if they have dark brown or black debris, she could have earmites, which can migrate to other parts of the body.
You can get a flea comb and comb through her fur, tap the comb on a wet paper towel, if the debris turns red, she could have fleas. Otherwise, she may not have them at all.
You can get a flea comb and comb through her fur, tap the comb on a wet paper towel, if the debris turns red, she could have fleas. Otherwise, she may not have them at all.
..........Traci
Re: meds for Angel
Traci- thanks so much for sharing all your knowledge. I adopted her from a great rescue organization and the vet they used is a well respected vet in this area. I am confident about her vet care. They told me that someone had to give up their apt. and had to give her up. My poor little girl went thru a lot in the last month. But it touches me that they took a 6 year old neglected, 'handicapped' cat and did so much for her. Of course she is worth it! She has the best personality...very laid back and loving.
The wormers were given as you said, now that I look at the paper again and see the dates on 2 lines. I believe myself that to use that flea stuff when you don't need it is not good for the cat. I'll get a flea comb. She loves to be brushed and I am brushing her on the dining room table...which I use as a desk. Ok I am letting her up there. She is teaching me to be more of a type B personality.
The wormers were given as you said, now that I look at the paper again and see the dates on 2 lines. I believe myself that to use that flea stuff when you don't need it is not good for the cat. I'll get a flea comb. She loves to be brushed and I am brushing her on the dining room table...which I use as a desk. Ok I am letting her up there. She is teaching me to be more of a type B personality.