Low cost Spay and Neuter Services - we work closely with Goliath and BeBe's World  - this is an excellent group working hard in St Johns County to operate a no kill pet adoption agency - click link below for contact info....

http://members.petfinder.org/~FL321/index.html

We also accept all low cost vouchers from St Johns, Putnam, and Flagler counties.

We also offer our own low cost spay neuter services to the general public - call to inquire about our low priced services.

Cat Vaccinations -

Kittens - vaccinate at 8, 12, and 16 weeks of age for PRC ( panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, and calici virus)

Panleukopenia causes diarrhea and vomiting. Both calici and rhinotracheitis are respiratory viruses - sneezing, coughing, runny eyes, pink eye

Vaccinate, after testing, at 9 and 12 weeks for leukemia. Leukemia causes anemia, wasting, cancer, and is often progressively fatal :(

Vaccinate between 12 and 16 weeks for rabies.Cats now outnumber dogs in confirmed cases of rabies - yikes!!!!!!

Cats and kittens need to be tested regularly for intestinal worms and dewormed if indicated. Many experts now feel cats should be kept on heart worm prevention ( just like dogs). Heart worm disease is much more prevalent than previously thought and it is an important and preventable cause of death in cats.Indoor cats seem to be at risk also.

All vaccines should be boostered at 1 year of age.

Advantage - a once a month topically applied flea preventative - safe and very effective

Front-line Top Spot- also once a month flea preventative, has the added benefit of tick prevention

Revolution - latest innovation - once a month flea, tick, ear mite, intestinal worm, and heart worm preventative - safe and effective complete care -

Heartguard - a once a month chewable heartworm preventative for cats

Cat Diseases -

Viral upper respiratory Complex - as mentioned before in kitten vaccines - these are extremely common - feline rhinotracheititis - a herpes virus of cats - often infects kittens and young cats and can  periodically reappear throughout a cats life - this is frequently a source of stress that can bring-out other problems for cats - prevention by good vaccinations is best - treatment is aimed at good nursing care and antibiotics to prevent secondary bacterial infections - these are also more common in cattery and shelter conditions.

Feline Leukemia Virus - This is spread cat to cat through close contact between cats - oftentimes seen in intact male cats that roam and fight or come into contact with other cats - testing, vaccinating, and neutering cats to keep them home are very effective preventable measures - as mentioned above mortality is very high with this disease and it's widespread in incidence - when you first acquire a cat regardless of its source it should be tested for this - you should know the status of your cat regarding this important disease!

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus ( FIV ) - a relative newcomer to cats - this virus causes immunosuppression leading commonly to oral infections in cats - it also leads to debilitation This virus is actually fairly common. It is spread like leukemia - close contact, roaming, intact cats, etc. Prevention is by testing and keeping cats close to home - neuter and spay, control of roaming cats. All cats over 6 months should be tested for this disease!

Feline Heartworm Disease - yup, just when you thought heartworms were for the dogs, cats now arebeing diagnosed with increased frequency. In a recent study at a N FL animal shelter, 6% of cats werefound to be infected with heartworms. Treatment is difficult at best, prevention is the best policy. There is now a blood test available to diagnose the problem.

Vaccine updates - the AAFP (American Association of Feline Practitioners) has published their updates and recommendations on feline vaccines......the following vaccines should not be considered routine or essential in most (if not all) cats:

1. Feline Bordatella - pretty rare disease, treatable with antibiotics and generally unworthy of use

2. FIP intranasal vaccine - too many side effects, safety concerns, and possibly not protective anyway

3. FIV vaccine - only protective against one of the many FIV strains - testing and neutering is far more effective

4. Chlamydia - very rare in the US, vaccine may not be protective anyway, side effects

Cat Parasites