Health Check and Prep Before Bringing a New Cat Home

1 Before Bringing the Cat Home

1. Pre-home health check. It is wise to have a check-up before the cat joins your family, including a complete blood count, stool exam, and biochemistry panel (8 items, or more for cats over six). X-rays help assess overall condition and plan care.

For multi-cat homes, add feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus tests.

Unless there is a skin problem needing vet-guided shaving and medicated baths, do not bathe or shave the cat. It can trigger a strong stress reaction that leads to behavior issues and disease, such as inappropriate urination, aggression, feline infectious peritonitis, or heart trouble.

2 Conditions to Watch For Early

2. Panleukopenia (feline distemper). Signs: vomiting and diarrhea, sometimes one without the other; it looks much like gastroenteritis and appetite may stay normal. For kittens or new arrivals, always rule it out. Confirm with a blood count (low white cells) plus a quick test strip. Treat under veterinary guidance and disinfect hands, clothes, and shoes; with support, most cats are safe after seven days. Prevention: vaccinate when eligible; the FVRCP vaccine protects against it.

3. Cat flu (feline herpes, calicivirus). Signs: frequent sneezing or coughing for three days, heavy eye discharge that may seal the eyes shut, yellow nasal discharge, lethargy. Confirm with blood work; severe cases may need chest X-rays. Treat per vet, often doxycycline or famciclovir, with nebulizing as needed. Keep the room temperature steady and boost immunity with good food, water, and rest.

4. Ear mites. Signs: itchy ears and constant scratching, sometimes until they bleed; black debris inside the ear. Confirm with a microscopic exam of ear discharge. Clean the ears twice daily with a mild cleanser; if fungus is present, add an ear medication after cleaning. Avoid acidic cleaners if the eardrum may be damaged.

5. Gastroenteritis. Signs: three or more bouts of vomiting or diarrhea in a day, or symptoms lasting three days. Confirm with blood and stool tests. Early soft stools may improve with a probiotic and warmth while you wait; add a gut-protectant if needed, and see a vet if it persists. For vomiting, withhold food but not water for two to three hours, then resume if it stops; repeated vomiting needs a vet.