Puppy & Kitten Care 

Veterinary care for young pets

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. 

What should my pet’s first year look like?

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.

• 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. 
• Both puppies and kittens need to have fecal parasite testing performed, following a series of dewormings, to assure they are parasites free.  Heartworm disease is considered endemic in the Tennessee Valley, meaning mosquitos are carrying heartworm larvae. Keep in mind, mosquitos can enter houses and actually prefer the warmer temperature of pets and may not be recognized by humans as posing a risk. Both kittens and puppies need to be started and maintained on year-round heartworm prevention, for life, to protect them from a potentially fatal disease.

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 (256) 489-8387 to schedule your pet’s first physical exam.