What to Expect – Puppy & Kittens

Appointment
puppy and kitten
PUPPIES

What to Expect – Puppy

Repeat fecal testing to ensure we have cleared the infection. Puppies are especially prone to parasitic infections, so it is important to promptly diagnose and treat them.

Spaying/Neutering:

  • If not performed already, we recommend spaying your female puppy around 6-9 months of age/before her first heat cycle to reduce risks of mammary cancer and avoid a condition called pyometra (a life-threatening infection of the uterus), both of which become higher-risk concerns with each successive heat cycle.
  • If not performed already, we recommend neutering your male puppy around 1 year of age, unless he is cryptorchid (has one or two un-descended testicles) or any undesirable traits that may be corrected or mitigated with castration. If your puppy is cryptorchid, we recommend neutering around 6 months of age and will make sure to explain how the surgical approach to a cryptorchid neuter differs from that of a standard neuter.

Microchip Placement

  • If not already performed, we recommend placing a microchip under the skin of your pet. If your pet becomes lost and then found by someone else, this is safe, permanent, and effective way of identifying them, since your pet’s unique chip number can be linked to your name, address, and contact information.
  • We utilize Avid brand microchips, which are recognized by all universal microchip scanners.
  • Many pet owners elect to have microchips placed at the time of their pet’s spay/neuter, but the microchips can also be placed during exams if desired.

A Summary of Recommendations for Your Cat’s First Year

Vaccines: FVRCP (Feline Rhinotracheitis-Calici-Panleukopenia) series

  • This can be started as young as 7 weeks of age and is then boostered every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age.
  • If your cat is older than 16 weeks of age when starting, two boosters are given 3-4 weeks apart.
  • One year after the initial series is completed, another booster is given, which must be repeated once every 3 years.
KITTENS
Rabies

  • The first vaccine is given anytime between 12 and 24 weeks of age.
  • One year after the initial series is completed, another booster is given, which must be repeated once every 3 years.

FeLV (Leukemia)

  • Two boosters are given 2-4 weeks apart, starting as young as 9 weeks of age.
  • One year after the initial series is completed, another booster is given, which must be repeated once every 3 years.

Flea, Tick and Heartworm Prevention Options: We recommend YEAR-ROUND protection.

  • Revolution Plus – This is a flea, tick and heartworm preventative. This is a topical product given every 4 weeks that can be used in cats 8 weeks or age or older.
  • Bravecto 8 week – This is a flea and tick preventative. This is a topical product given every 8 weeks that can be used in cats 8 weeks of age and older, weighing 4.4lb or greater.

Fecal Testing

  • We recommend testing at least one fresh fecal sample to look for any gastrointestinal parasites annually. If detected, we will properly treat the parasites and then will recommend repeat fecal testing to ensure we have cleared the infection.

Spaying/Neutering:

  • If not performed already, we recommend spaying your female kitten around 6-9 months of age/before her first heat cycle to reduce risks of mammary cancer and avoid a condition called pyometra (a life-threatening infection of the uterus).
  • If not performed already, we recommend neutering your male kitten around 6-9 months of age.

Microchip Placement

  • If not already performed, we recommend placing a microchip under the skin of your pet. If your pet becomes lost and then found by someone else, this is safe, permanent, and effective way of identifying them, since your pet’s unique chip number can be linked to your name, address, and contact information.
  • We utilize Avid brand microchips, which are recognized by all universal microchip scanners.
  • Many pet owners elect to have microchips placed at the time of their pet’s spay/neuter, but the microchips can also be placed during exams if desired.
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