Fleas and worms
It's not just people that'll love your new pet
Your kitten will love the fuss and attention you, your
family and friends lavish upon her, but not the attention she
receives from parasites. Fleas, worms and mites are extremely
common, so it'd be pretty unusual if your kitten didn't pick
them up at some point. The good news is, parasites aren't that
harmful, and easy to get rid of. If your kitten suffers from
parasites, your vet will be happy to recommend the best
preparation and advise you how to get the best results.
Fleas
Sometimes, a spell of unusually mild weather will trigger an
explosion of fleas in and around your home. Even if your kitten
has been regularly treated, you may still find her scratching.
Look for tiny brown specks in her fur. Then remove and place
them on a wet tissue. If they turn a red/brown colour, they are
flea dirt. In this case you'll need to treat your home as well.
Get a can of spray from your vet for your carpets, soft
furnishings and even hard floors; fleas can creep into any nook
and cranny to lay their eggs. Don't forget to clean and spray
your vacuum cleaner after use. Follow the instructions on the
can and you should get rid of the problem, although total
elimination can take up to three months. This treatment breaks
the lifecycle of the flea by killing the larvae as they hatch,
so they won't be able to hitch a ride on your kitten.
Worms
The most common worm likely to infect your kitten is the
Roundworm. (When your kitten gets a bit older, she'll be
susceptible to Tapeworms as well.) Your kitten is unlikely to
show any sign of having worms, but if the infestation is
severe, you will see differences. You may notice weight loss,
bouts of vomiting and diarrhea and irritation around her bottom
area.
Kittens should be routinely treated for worms, prevention
being far better than cure. Your vet will advise you on the
most suitable treatment; she'll need monthly worming for the
first six months, and then three monthly thereafter.