Medical Information for Your Pets

(Disclaimer: HSUV is not a veterinarian. Please always consult your veterinarian with your concerns)

Common Ailments to Watch For
Diarrhea & Vomit • It is not uncommon for your new cat to have some softer stool, diarrhea, or vomit within a few days of being in its new environment. Some causes are stress and diet change. There may be additional causes for diarrhea or vomiting, so if the symptoms continue for more than a few days or are accompanied by lethargy or loss of appetite, please contact a veterinarian.
Coughing & Sneezing • Due to the high volume of cats and kittens we care for, diseases such as Upper Respiratory Infections (URI) are not uncommon. Even if your cat was healthy when you brought him or her home, the incubation period for URI is anywhere from 2-7 days, which means that your cat could begin showing symptoms up to a week after adoption. • If your cat is sneezing or coughing minimally and there are no other symptoms, chances are it is not an emergency and an appointment can be scheduled through your preferred veterinarian. If the sneezing or coughing exists in conjunction with other symptoms such as lethargy, lack of appetite, dehydration, or cloudy nasal discharge, you should contact your veterinarian and schedule an appointment immediately.
Vaccination Reactions • Some cats may experience mild to severe vaccine reactions. Mild reactions include pain at the injection site, fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, and the occasional swelling of the face or ears. Severe reactions include difficulty breathing, major swelling, collapse, and gray or pale gums. If your cat experiences any of these symptoms after receiving a vaccine, please seek veterinary care immediately.
If your pet appears healthy and has adjusted to your home without any issues, it is still very important to make an appointment and establish your new cat with a veterinarian. This will give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have, and discuss ongoing care. Be sure to bring your pet’s HSUV medical history with you no matter what veterinary clinic you decide to partner with.
FVRCP • Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia This vaccination is highly recommended and is given to all cats before leaving our care. Kittens under four months of age living in a home environment require booster vaccinations typically within three or four weeks, and sometimes a second booster is recommended in three or four weeks again. A booster should be given once a year thereafter or according to your veterinarian’s recommendation.
Preventative Care • All cats under HSUV typically receive at least two doses of Pyrantel dewormer while in our care. While this addresses the most common parasites, we recommend discussing preventative care with your veterinarian and following their recommendation. It is also important if your cat will be living an indoor/outdoor lifestyle.
After-Shelter Recommendations • The medical care your new pet received at HSUV is appropriate for life within a foster home. Once adopted, however, your veterinarian will likely make other recommendations based on your pet’s needs in your home. Those recommendations may include booster vaccines, other vaccinations (such as the Feline Leukemia Virus Infection FeLV vaccine), other preventatives (such as heartworm preventative), and other tests (such as a fecal test or retesting for FeLV).

For additional information, please feel free to call us at (208)681-HSUV or contact your veterinarian. Any vaccines or treatments recommended or required after adoption are the financial responsibility of the adopter unless otherwise specified in your animal’s medical history.

Other Resources:
https://www.vetcetera.com/pet-medical-conditions/
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-diseases

All information listed is not property of HSUV and should only be used as general information. Please consult your veterinarian with any concerns you might have about your pet.