Congratulations! You’ve just adopted your new best friend.  Whether this is a pedigreed puppy from a breeder, or a foundling kitten that showed up on your doorstep, there are some simple steps to getting off to a healthy start.  One of your first tasks will be to call us and set up an exam for your new friend.  We will likely ask you to bring a stool sample to check for parasites.  If there has been any previous vet care (or vaccines/dewormings given by a breeder), please also bring that information to your appointment.

First puppy and kitten appointments are about more than just vaccinations.  Youngsters are busy forming early associations, and we make every effort to have their first experience with the veterinary team be as happy and stress-free as possible. We will discuss needed dewormings and parasite prevention (hence the stool sample!).  We will review a recommended vaccine schedule (see below).  We often need to fine-tune vaccine guidance based on any treatments that were already done at the shelter, the breeder, or another vet.

Other topics for discussion in the early series of puppy/kitten visits include, but are not limited to: introducing to other household pets, litterbox/housetraining guidance, baby-proofing your house, biting/scratching issues, safety around young children, nail and haircoat maintenance, nutrition, dental care, pet health insurance, toys/exercise, socialization with people/animals outside the home, microchipping, spay/neuter recommendations, core vs. non-core vaccines and lifestyle considerations, potential breed-specific health issues, desensitizing to gentle handling, training classes/boarding, etc.  As you can see, there’s a lot to cover…and, of course, we want to answer questions that are specific to your pet and/or health concerns.  There generally isn’t enough time to cover ALL of these topics during one exam, but the good news is that puppy/kitten wellness generally requires a series of visits.

Here are examples of recommended vaccines/visits (again, this is tailored to your individual pet and prior treatments received).

  • Puppy 8 weeks – Distemper/Hepatitis/Parvovirus/Parainfluenza (DHPP) vaccine #1, fecal parasite check
  • 12 weeks – DHPP vaccine #2, Leptospirosis vaccine #1
  • 16 weeks – DHPP vaccine #3, Leptospirosis vaccine #2, Rabies vaccine
  • Kitten 8 weeks – Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis/Calicivirus/Panleukopenia (FVRCP) vaccine #1, fecal parasite check
  • 12 weeks – FVRCP vaccine #2, Feline Leukemia vaccine #1
  • 16 weeks – FVRCP vaccine #3, Feline Leukemia vaccine #2, Rabies vaccine
For both kittens and puppies, repeated vaccine boosters are required for the initial series in order to overcome residual maternal antibodies and provide longer sustained protective antibody levels.  For both DHPP and FVRCP, they need repeated boosters every 3 – 4 weeks until your pet is 16 weeks or older.

We love nothing more than meeting new additions to your family and helping them get a healthy start in life.  The next time you adopt a new friend, give us a call so we can start that happy journey, together!