It's exciting to take home a new and cuddly puppy or kitten. They can't help but make you and everyone you introduce them to smile.
As lively as this occasion is, there is also a number of important health care matters to take care of during your new furry friend's first year of life.
Your vet will establish a custom health care plan to meet the specific and unique needs of your puppy or kitten during their first year, and will give you lots of support and guidance along the way!
It's ideal for puppies to have their first veterinary appointment when they are roughly six weeks old, and kittens around eight weeks.
At this primary visit, your companion will get a full physical examination to evaluate their overall health, search for any signs of a congenital defect, and look for external parasites.
Your vet will also provide them with deworming medications for roundworms and hookworms, and their first round of puppy or kitten vaccinations.
More About Vaccines & Prevention
Finally, if you have a kitten, your vet will complete a blood test to check for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus.
Puppies and kittens should attend 3 to 4 veterinary appointments between the ages of 6 and 16 weeks. These visits allow our vets to assess your pet's overall health and to administer vaccines on schedule.
You have a lot of new responsibilities on your plate when you take home a new puppy or kitten.
To help you through your kitten or puppy's first year, our vets will give you lots of guidance, support, and useful information.
Our information packages include everything you'll have to know about your pet’s early development, such as:
Our vets will be happy to answer any of your questions and settle any of your worries or concerns. We want you and your new puppy or kitten to have everything you need to start your lives together!
Animal Health Services of Cave Creek is accepting new patients! Our experienced vets are passionate about the health of Cave Creek companion animals. Get in touch today to book your pet's first appointment.