Puppy & Kitten Care 

Give your new pet the best start in life.

What should my pet’s first year look like?

During their first year, your puppy or kitten will require multiple visits with their veterinarian. These are crucial in allowing your vet to keep tabs on your pet’s health as they grow and develop.

• Physical Exams
  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.
   
• Vaccines
  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).
   
• Diagnostic Testing
  Both puppies and kittens should have certain diagnostic tests over the course of their first year. Puppies should be tested for heartworm 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 their first exam. 

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.

Call us at 619-466-0533 to schedule your pet’s first physical exam.