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Introduction to puppy care

Below are our recommendations for most puppies. Please bring any records you may have to your first visit along with a fecal sample if possible, and we can make individual recommendations for your puppy based on their age, breed, and overall health.

 

6-8 weeks old:

  • 1st Distemper/Parvovirus vaccine (often given by the breeder)

  • Initial wellness exam and discuss any behavioral challenges early on

  • Fecal flotation to check for intestinal parasites & deworm if needed

  • Start Flea/Tick & Heartworm preventatives at 8 weeks old

10-12 weeks old:

  • 2nd Distemper/Parvovirus/Leptospirosis vaccine

  • Deworm

14-16 weeks old:

  • 3rd (Annual) Distemper/Parvovirus/Leptospirosis vaccine

  • Rabies vaccine at 16 weeks

5-6 months old:

  • Spay or Neuter

    • usually recommended to be prior to 8 months of age for most puppies​

1 year after Rabies/ 3rd (Annual) Distemper:

  • Booster annual Distemper vaccine

  • Booster Rabies vaccine

    • If the Rabies vaccine is boostered on or before the annual due date, it will  be good for three years instead of one year​

  • Annual wellness exam

  • The American Heartworm Society recommends testing pets annually for heartworm disease. This is a blood test that takes 10 minutes to get results. 

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Flea & Tick Preventative Options (recommended year-round):

  • Nexgard Chewable Treat

  • Seresto Collar

  • K-9 Advantix Topical Spot-on

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Heartworm Preventative Options (recommended year-round):

  • Heartgard Plus

  • VetriShield Max

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Other Vaccines to Ask the Veterinarian About:

  • Lyme Vaccine

  • Bordetella/Kennel Cough Vaccine

Introduction to kitten care

Below are our recommendations for most kittens. Please bring any records you may have to your first visit along with a fecal sample if possible, and we can make individual recommendations for your kitten based on their age and overall health.

 

6-8 weeks old:

  • 1st Feline Distemper vaccine

  • Initial wellness exam

  • Fecal flotation to check for intestinal parasites & deworm if needed

  • Start Flea/Tick preventative

  • Test for FeLV and FIV

10-12 weeks old:

  • 2nd Feline Distemper vaccine

  • Deworm

14-16 weeks old:

  • 3rd (Annual) Feline Distemper

  • Rabies vaccine at 16 weeks

5-6 months old:

  • Spay or Neuter

    • recommended to be prior to 8 months of age​

1 year after Rabies/ 3rd (Annual) Distemper:

  • Booster annual Feline Distemper vaccine

  • Booster Rabies vaccine

    • If the Rabies vaccine is boostered on or before the annual due date, it will  be good for three years instead of one year​

  • Annual wellness exam

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Flea & Tick Preventative Options (recommended year-round):

  • Frontline Gold

  • Seresto Collar

  • Advantage Multi

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Other Vaccines to Ask the Veterinarian About:

  • Feline Leukemia Virus Vaccine​​

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A Note on Feline Leukemia VIrus & Feline Immunodeficiency Virus:

  • There is no cure or treatment for these viruses, only management of clinical signs. Some infected cats can lead relatively normal lives if kept up to date on vaccinations and away from other cats. 

Adult dog care

As your dog becomes an adult, annual wellness exams are essential to catch underlying diseases early on. Blood work may be recommended once while your dog still appears healthy so that we know your dog's normal as a baseline as they age. 

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Adult:

  • Annual wellness exam

    • Oral health will be evaluated to determine if a dental is recommended.

  • Booster Distemper vaccine

  • Booster Rabies vaccine

    • If the Rabies vaccine is boostered on or before the annual due date, it will  be good for three years instead of one year​​

  • Tick-borne disease screening (Heartworm, Lyme, Anaplasmosis, and Erlichia)

  • Bloodwork may be recommended as your dog ages 

 

Geriatric (age of onset varies based on breed):

  • Annual wellness exam

    • Oral health will be evaluated; if the dog appears to need a dental and is healthy enough to undergo general anesthesia yet, a dental will be recommended.

  • Booster Distemper vaccine

  • Booster Rabies vaccine

    • If the Rabies vaccine is boostered on or before the annual due date, it will  be good for three years instead of one year​​​

  • Tick-borne disease screening (Heartworm, Lyme, Anaplasmosis, and Erlichia)

  • Bloodwork may be recommended as your dog ages

adult cat care

As your cat becomes an adult, annual wellness exams are essential to catch underlying diseases early on. Blood work may be recommended while your cat still appears healthy so that we know your cat's normal as a baseline as they age. 

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Adult:

  • Annual wellness exam

    • Oral health will be evaluated to determine if a dental is recommended.

  • Booster Feline Distemper vaccine

  • Booster Rabies vaccine

    • If the Rabies vaccine is boostered on or before the annual due date, it will  be good for three years instead of one year​​

  • Bloodwork may be recommended as your cat ages 

 

Geriatric (age of onset varies based on breed):

  • Annual wellness exam

    • Oral health will be evaluated; if the cat appears to need a dental and is healthy enough to undergo general anesthesia yet, a dental will be recommended.

  • Booster Distemper vaccine

  • Booster Rabies vaccine

    • If the Rabies vaccine is boostered on or before the annual due date, it will  be good for three years instead of one year​​​

  • Bloodwork may be recommended as your cat ages

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