Although every puppy or kitten will need routine veterinary care during their first year, each of them will require an individualized plan. Let’s work together to determine how we can give your new furry friend the best start in life possible.
During their first year, your kitten or puppy will require regular visits with their veterinarian. These visits are comprised of physical exams, vaccinations, and diagnostic testing – all of which allow us to keep tabs on your pet’s health as they grow and develop.
A lifetime of wellness starts with your pet’s very first physical exam. Unlike adult pets, puppies and kittens require approximately 3-4 exams during their first 8-16 weeks. At those exams, your pet will receive important vaccines and assessments of their overall health.
Because the immune system is still developing, puppies and kittens must receive a series of properly staged vaccines including boosters. We tailor our vaccine recommendations based on your pet’s individual lifestyle and breed using guidelines established by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).
Both puppies and kittens should have certain diagnostic tests over the course of their first year. Puppies and kittens should have at least two fecal tests performed within the first year to make sure they are not carrying common intestinal parasites that can cause them to be ill, and can be passed to their human families. If puppies have not been on heartworm and flea/tick prevention from the time they are 8 weeks old, they should be tested for heartworm and tick-borne diseases by 12 months of age, if not before. Kittens, on the other hand, should be tested for feline leukemia (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) during one of their first exams. We also recommend all puppies and kittens have wellness lab work checked prior to their spay or neuter to make sure their kidneys and other organs are healthy prior to anesthesia.
In addition to examining your new pet and providing them with vaccines and diagnostics, your veterinarian will discuss other services that could help them live a longer, healthier life, such as spaying and neutering.