Thameswood Veterinary Clinics Ltd

Cats are now the UK’s most popular pet; their independent nature makes them a good fit for busy modern lives.

Vaccination

We recommend routine vaccination against calicivirus, herpesvirus and enteritis for all cats and kittens. The first vaccination is due at nine weeks and the second at 12 weeks. To ensure that protection is maintained it is essential that all cats receive annual boosters. For cats that go outside we also recommend vaccinating against feline leukaemia.

Flea treatment

We advise year-round treatment with a prescription spot-on flea treatment such as frontline or stronghold – this is beneficial because it will prevent a house infestation, and both these products protect your cat from certain other parasites. Depending on your cats lifestyle we may recommend one or the other.

Worming

Most pet cats can be wormed every three months with a broad-spectrum wormer such as Milbemax. Depending on their lifestyle, some cats may need treating more or less frequently than this and with different products – we can help you to determine your own pet’s individual requirements. We now have a complete spot-on wormer available called Profender, especially for those cats that don't appreciate tablets!

Diet

We recommend feeding a good quality complete dry cat food appropriate to your cat’s breed, age, activity levels and medical requirements. All our staff pets are fed on Hills, and we offer a discount scheme to our clients on this food – we believe it is the best range available.

Microchipping

A microchip provides your cat with a permanent means of identification, which will enable him to be reunited with you should he ever be lost or stolen – we recommend it for all our feline patients.

Neutering

Unless you are planning to breed from your cat we would recommend that they are neutered from six months of age onwards.

Neutering queens eliminates the possibility of a serious condition called pyometra (womb infection) occurring in later life, as well as avoiding the risk of unwanted pregnancies.

Neutering tomcats reduces the incidence of roaming, urine marking and intercat aggression which lowers the risk of them contracting diseases such as FIV, or being injured in road traffic accidents.