Having a new puppy or kitten in your household can be a very exciting time. It can also be very overwhelming. Our team at EVC is here to help with questions, concerns, and challenges during this time. To start your puppy or kitten off on a healthy life, we recommend several wellness visits that will include tracking your pet’s growth, a physical examination to detect any underlying concerns, parasite treatment and prevention, and vaccinations.
Physical examinations
We like to give our puppy and kitten patients a healthy start by seeing them for their first physical exam at approximately 8 weeks of age. Unlike adult pets, we schedule puppies and kittens for exams every 3-4 weeks until they are approximately 4 months of age.
Vaccinations
To adequately protect puppies and kittens against diseases that could make them very sick, we recommend vaccinations based on the guidelines established by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). Our team at EVC will make vaccination recommendations based on each pet’s needs and lifestyle.
Diagnostic testing
Certain diagnostic tests will be recommended for all puppies and kittens, including a fecal screening to test for internal parasites. We also recommend testing all kittens for feline leukemia (FeLv) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). All puppies should be tested for heartworm disease starting at 6 months of age (and yearly thereafter).
Parasite prevention
In order to keep your pet healthy, we recommend a flea and tick preventative, and for dogs year around heartworm preventative. Our veterinary team will be happy to help answer any questions or concerns you have regarding which preventative will be the best option for your puppy or kitten and its life stage.
Spaying and neutering
There are many reasons to spay or neuter your puppy or kitten, including population control, prevention of future diseases (including certain types of cancers and life-threatening infections), and prevention of certain undesirable behaviors. We currently recommend spaying and neutering at approximately 5-6 months of age.