Cats, like dogs have a variety of genetic health concerns as well as general health issues.  I will talk about the general issues first.

 

My cats live in my house, they do not go outside.  We do have a screened in porch which the cats are allowed on.  Kittens are raised in our bedroom until they are sold or turn 4 months old.  Then, they are introduced to the rest of the cats in our house.  Kittens receive a series of 2 - 4 vaccines before they are released to their new homes.  The number of vaccines depends on when I start giving them.  Sometimes I will start as early as 3 weeks or I may start as late as 8 weeks.  The protocol for vaccinating cats has changed from what vets were recommending several years ago.  They are now recommending fewer vaccines in kitten hood.  However, I show my cats and this does expose my household more.  So, I may start vaccinating my kittens younger then what is currently recommended.  I do this on the advice of my veterinarian. 

 

 In the past, I have not wormed my cats, however, this year I am seeing evidence of round worms and have started worming kittens at 6 weeks and 9 weeks of age.  At the same time I worm their mother.   I vaccinate my cats for the 3 upper respiratory diseases common to cats.  They are Calici, Rhino, and Panleuk.  My cats also receive rabies vaccine generally given at 4 months of age.  I test the parents for Feline Leukemia and FIV. 

 

I do not vaccinate my cats for Feluk, FIP, or Bordatella.  I generally stay away from the new vaccines.  I do not test my cats for FIP—there is no good test other than an autopsy.  I had a slight outbreak 8 years ago.  We lost a total of 4 cats, I was very fortunate it was so minor. 

 

I feed a quality diet consisting of dry and canned foods.  I will also feed raw meats when I have time to prepare them for my cats.  The brands of food I feed are Diamond; Science Diet, Max Cat/Nutro, Royal Canin.

 

My vet is out to my house once a year to vaccinate my cats for rabies. 

 

Genetic concerns:

My vet has an ultrasound machine and since the early 90's we have been testing all my breeding cats for HCM.   I have also participated in a study done by Dr. Gordon at Texas A & M—she has a fancier ultrasound machine and she is a heart specialist.

 

I do not test my cats for HD (Hip dysplasia) on a regular basis. 

Well, here is a response I typed up to an e-mail I received.  I thought I would post it on my web page since this is a common question.  This gives a good overview of what I.  If you have specific questions, please e-mail me and I will be happy to answer them.  You can reach me at unicoon@houston.rr.com

So you are interested in how I take care of my cats?