Puppies & Kittens

Congratulations on getting your new family pet. New pets are a delight and our goal is to provide care and guidance that starts them off on a path of health and preventative care. Beginning with a comprehensive initial exam we will design a program of vaccines and preventative care to keep them health and happy starting in their first year of life.

During an initial comprehensive physical exam your puppy or kitten will be evaluated for:

General health & vigor

Heart anomalies (murmurs, congenital defects)

Genetic problems

Conformation (orthopedic or bone structure)

Hip dysplasia

Dental bite

Eye problems (especial congenital)

Ear disease

Parasites (internal and external)

We will provide guidance and advice on nutrition, behavior and home care.  We will also recommend a vaccination series schedule based on your pets age and planned lifestyle.

Pet Vaccination

Vaccines are one of the most important preventive measure you can take for the health of your pet. Serious, contagious, and deadly diseases are prevented through these vaccines and, in some cases, they are required by law. A typical vaccination program will consist of:  

Puppy vaccines may include:

Distemper / Adenovirus / Parainfluenza / Parvovirus / Leptospirosis: Given at 6 weeks and repeated at least twice. 

Rabies Given at 16 – 18 weeks.

Bordetella (kennel cough): Given at 12 weeks.

Kitten vaccines may include:

Feline Distemper (FVRCP): Given at 6 weeks and repeated 2X.

Rabies: Given at 14 – 16 weeks.

Feline Leukemia (FeLv): Given at 8 and 12 weeks.

Which vaccines you will require and how frequently depends on many factors, and we will make recommendations for your pet’s unique environment and lifestyle.

Spay and Neuter

There are several advantages to getting your new pet spayed or neutered after the completion of puppy or kitten vaccines, around 6 months of age. In the case of male pets, it may be an especially good idea to neuter them at this time before they develop bad habits, such as marking, spraying, and aggression.

Advantages of spaying and neutering are numerous and include the following:

• Less aggression, fighting, and biting
• Less territoriality, reduces risk of roaming and being hit by a car
• Reduces marking of furniture and rugs with urine
• Eliminates heat cycles and reduces shedding in females
• Focuses more of a pet’s attention on the caregiver, aiding in training

Neutered males do not develop testicular tumors, the second most common malignancy in males, and they have a lower incidence of prostate problems. Spayed females stay healthier and live longer, and they have a lower incidence of mammary tumors and no uterine or ovarian cancers. They also are prevented from getting pyometra, a life-threatening uterine infection. These benefits mean happier lower healthier pets overall.