Puppy / Kitten Care

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ave you just brought home a newborn puppy or kitten? Just like humans, their immune systems have not yet fully developed, which means they are more likely to contract a disease or illness from a virus. This makes it especially important that you take your new puppy or kitten to the vet in order to set them up for a healthy life. At West Park Animal Hospital, we offer several different services that will prepare your furry friend for a lifetime of fun and happiness.

Wellness Exams

The first step is to schedule your kitten or puppy for a wellness care exam. During this exam, one of our knowledgeable veterinarians will give a comprehensive look at a variety of areas that could negatively affect the health of your pet. Some of the areas that will be covered include:

• Physical Exam: From head to tail, your pet will be thoroughly inspected to make sure there are no abnormalities.
• Preventive Prescriptions: Based on your pet’s individual needs, medications can be prescribed to help prevent heartworm, fleas, and ticks.
• Blood Tests: These tests help catch any illnesses early and should be conducted once a year.
• Nutritional Counseling: Maintaining the health of your pet involves a healthy diet and exercise, which will be covered by a vet.

The veterinarian will explain to you what they are looking for throughout the exam so you can gain a better understanding and learn to prevent any illness at home. You will even receive helpful tips for living with your pet that doesn’t deal with its health, such as how to potty train your puppy. You and the vet will also discuss if you would like your kitten or puppy in our other services, like spaying, neutering, and microchipping.

Vaccination Program

Another integral part of the wellness care exam is to enroll your new pet into our vaccination program. Vaccinations help your pet fend off harmful diseases, which is especially important when they are still growing. We offer vaccinations for a core set of viruses and conditions at a discounted rate that is friendly to your wallet. In addition, every trip to our hospital for a vaccination will be accompanied with a toenail trim and a fecal exam to test for parasites and illnesses to make sure that your puppy or kitten hasn’t come into contact with a hurtful substance.

Vaccine Schedule

While a newborn kitten or puppy should get the proper antibodies to fight off disease while they are nursing from their mother, they will eventually need to receive their vaccinations. Our staff will outline for you the best vaccination timeline for your pet, which differs slightly for puppies and kittens. Puppies should receive their first vaccinations at around six weeks, then again at 10 and 14 weeks. Kittens should start a bit later, first getting a vaccination when they are eight weeks old, then again at 11 and 14 weeks.

Compassionate Care

Getting a new puppy or kitten home is an exciting time for your household and means you are taking on a large amount of responsibility. Make sure the new member of your family is set up for a long and fulfilling life by taking the proper steps to maintain their health as early as possible. At West Park Animal Hospital, we offer a diverse set of veterinary services that can cover most issues that arise, all conducted by members of our trusted and caring staff. Set up an appointment to have your puppy or kitten checked out by contacting us today.

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