So you got a new pet to add to the family, you may be thinking now what? Well, first things first, CONGRATULATIONS on your new addition! Adding a new puppy or kitten to your family is an exciting event with many fulfilling years of special companionship ahead of you. Puppies and kittens come with a lot of responsibility, though, and that’s why we at Chimney Hills Animal Hospital, are here to help you care for the new addition to your family.
It is important to bring your puppy or kitten in for a full nose-to-tail exam and to get them familiar with our veterinary hospital from a young age. There are numerous topics to be aware of and discuss, including vaccinations, nutrition, behavior training, socialization, and many more.
Puppy Care
We recommend starting your puppy visits as soon as you receive your new puppy. We want to make sure they are healthy and happy. This also gives us the opportunity to look over any vaccines that have been given and determine when we need to see your new pet back to get them fully immunized against preventable diseases.
Our general recommendation for puppy vaccines is 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and 16 weeks. At each visit, we will weigh your puppy to measure its growth. Check them from the tip of their nose to the tip of their tail. We administer a general dewormer at each visit, do an intestinal parasite screening, administer any needed vaccines, and send you with a dose of flea, tick, and heartworm prevention. We tailor our vaccine schedule to each pet based on lifestyle, breed, and size. Some vaccine schedules may differ slightly for your pet.
Our recommended core vaccines for this include Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvo, Parainfluenza (usually in one vaccine), Leptospirosis, Bordetella, and Rabies.
We also have preventative care plans that can be very beneficial to helping you budget preventative care for your new pet. We also highly recommend pet insurance to help with any of the unexpected expenses of owning a pet. Visit our preventative care plan page to learn more about both of these, and how pairing them together can save you money while still providing the absolute best care for your new family member.
Kitten Care
We recommend starting your kitten visits as soon as you receive your new kitten the same as a puppy. We want to make sure they are healthy and happy. This also gives us the opportunity to look over any vaccines that have been given and determine when we need to see your new pet back to get them fully immunized against preventable diseases.
Our general recommendation for kitten vaccines is the same as dogs, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and 16 weeks. At each visit, we will weigh your kitten to measure its growth. Check them from the tip of their nose to the tip of their tail. We administer a general dewormer at each visit, do an intestinal parasite screening, administer any needed vaccines, and send you with a dose of flea, tick, and heartworm prevention. At the first visit, we recommend testing for Feline leukemia and FIV before vaccination. We tailor our vaccine schedule to each pet based on lifestyle, breed, and size. Some vaccine schedules may differ slightly for your pet.
Our recommended core vaccines for this include Feline upper respiratory complex, Feline Leukemia, and Rabies.
We also have preventative care plans that can be very beneficial to helping you budget preventative care for your new pet. We also highly recommend pet insurance to help with any of the unexpected expenses of owning a pet. Visit our preventative care plan page to learn more about both of these, and how pairing them together can save you money while still providing the absolute best care for your new family member.