Taking Kittens to a Vet Near Me

Kitten season is here! April through October is the prime time when the cat population explodes. While kitten season may sound charming and wonderful, this time of year brings heartbreak as many unwanted kittens are born without homes and proper medical care.

The animal shelter population grows significantly during this time and strains the resources of shelters and rescues in our community. We have tips for you to keep your feline companions safe and healthy during this time and avoid adding kitten season stress to your home or community.

Keeping Kitten Season Under Control

Spaying and neutering your cats is the best way to control the population of unwanted kittens. Cimarron Animal Hospital offers spay and neuter services. According to the Humane Society of the United States, close to two million cats are euthanized each year in shelters and animal control facilities. You can search for a "vet near me" and find our office to schedule an appointment to spay or neuter your feline friends.

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs in the community help keep down the population of feral, or unowned cats. In this process, cats are trapped humanely, and then spayed or neutered, vaccinated against rabies, and then returned to their colony.

The Kansas Humane Society has a TNR program that allows people to rent a trap for $2 per day (with a $90 refundable deposit), and then once a cat is trapped, an appointment can be booked to get the spay/neuter procedure and vaccinations. Visit the KHS 's website for complete information on their TNR program.

Safe & Healthy Cats

Cats who have loving families and homes are safer and healthier than feral cats. Be sure to protect your cat from harm by spaying and neutering, as well as microchipping them in case they are lost. Microchipping a pet is simple and helps when someone finds a lost pet. They can simply search "vet near me" and most veterinary offices will be able to scan the microchip.

A collar with your phone number will also increase the chances your cat will be reunited with you in case they get out of the house. Finally, consider supporting local shelters and rescues in their efforts to help control the cat population in Wichita. The Wichita Animal Action League and Kansas Humane Society are just two of the fantastic organizations working to make Wichita a safer place for pets.

Is My Cat Sick?

Cats, because of their tendency to hide illnesses, can be sick for a period of time before their owner realizes there is a problem. By the time an owner asks, "Is my cat sick?", the cat can be extremely sick.

Signs Your Cat Might Be Ill

As with any illness, it's best if it can be caught early. Below are some signs that your feline friend might not be feeling their best.

Behavior Changes - Sick cats may start to hide more often or stop doing the things they usually do like grooming. Remember that even if a cat is purring, it still can be sick. Watch for behaviors that just aren't normal for your cat.

Issues Eating or Drinking - Again, watch for abnormal behavior with eating and drinking. Is your cat suddenly experiencing extreme hunger or thirst? Cats are susceptible to diabetes and kidney disease and problems with eating and drinking can indicate these issues.

Problems with Poop or Urination - Like humans, sometimes cats have issues with their urinary tracts. However, in cats, a urinary tract infection or blockage can be life-threatening. If you notice your cat having issues with frequent, sudden urination or you see them straining in the litterbox, it's time to see the doctor.

Problems with diarrhea or constipation are also common in cats. If you notice blood in their stools, or they have watery diarrhea, or are experiencing diarrhea and showing other signs of being ill, it's time to take them to our office!

Discolored Gums and Fever - If your cat isn't acting like themselves, you can check their gums to see if they are normal or discolored. Normal gums will be pink and when pressed, should return to pink quickly. Gums that are blue, red, or yellow are indicators of life-threatening health issues and the cat should be taken to the vet right away.

You can also check if a cat is sick by taking their temperature. The normal temperature of a cat is 100-103 degrees. If the temperature is above or below that average, you should contact the vets at Cimarron Animal Hospital right away.

Taking Care of Your Sick Cats

Cats can be snuggly or stand-offish, in your space, or off on their own. The important thing is that you pay attention and if their behavior seems unusual, and you're wondering "Is my cat sick, ' you should contact us to see if there is an issue.