Bringing a new puppy or kitten home can be an exciting time for your family. We will help to make this an amazing experience for you and your pet by providing the best medical care and both now and in the future. Young pets require a series of vaccinations during the first year of life to gently stimulate the immune system to develop the antibodies that fight off specific life-threatening diseases. Our staff at Rolling Hills Animal Hospital will help with the care of these youngsters, beginning with proper nutrition, parasite preventatives, and disease prevention through a vaccine and deworming protocol.
During your puppy’s first visit, the doctor will conduct a comprehensive physical exam. The doctor will be looking for congenital defects, hearing and vision issues, cleft palate, proper bite, hernias, and heart defects. We will begin your puppy’s vaccination program around 8 weeks of age, with boosters every 3 to 4 weeks apart until he/she is 16 weeks of age.
We vaccinate for the following diseases:
We will begin your kitten’s vaccination program around 8 weeks of age, with boosters every 3 to 4 weeks apart until he/she is 16 weeks of age.
We vaccinate for the following diseases:
Common parasites we find are fleas, ticks, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and heartworms. These parasites can cause serious illness and even death in pets. For example, fleas can transmit tapeworms and ticks can transmit Lyme disease. The heartworm parasite is transmitted by mosquitoes and lives in your pet’s lungs and heart which causes damage to these organs and possible death. Other parasites found in the intestine such as roundworms and hookworms also threaten pets and are even transmissible to humans. It is especially important that children be taught to wash their hands thoroughly after playing with their pet and especially before eating.
It is not always easy to detect parasites however our skilled staff can examine your pet and offer test to confirm if your pet is infected with a parasites. Our staff will also provide guidance on the right parasite preventative for your pet to help keep your pet and your family safe from harmful parasites. We are here to help you have a wonderful experience with your pets.
Puppies can pick up intestinal parasites from their environment and from their mother before birth. For this reason we recommend that puppies are dewormed at 2 weeks of age again at 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age. It is important to then put them on a monthly heartworm and flea preventive for life that also protects the dog against other parasites, as well as protecting your family from picking up hookworms and roundworms.
Kittens can pick up intestinal parasites from their environment and from their mother before birth. For this reason we recommend deworming kittens at 2 weeks of age, again at 4, 6 and 8 weeks of age. It is important to then put them on a monthly heartworm and flea preventative for life that also protects against other parasites.
During their first year, puppies and kittens need a diet tailored to promote the proper growth and development of young bones, muscles, and teeth. This is the stage when they will need extra protein and a variety of specific nutrients. At the wellness exam, we will counsel you on the proper diet of food and treats for your specific breed and type of pet, as well as exercise requirements for a happy, well-behaved pet.
Puppies and kittens should never be fed human food, and treats should be those specifically designed to prevent choking or intestinal upset. Tracking weight and growth progress is a fundamental part of the first-year wellness exam, setting the foundation for ongoing pet health. Any changes in your pet’s response to food should be reported to your veterinarian at once, as it may indicate the development of a more systemic problem. And all puppies and kittens require a constant source of fresh, clean water at all times.
Our Puppy and Kitten Packets include extensive information about caring for your pet during the first year of life. Every puppy and kitten owner receives a copy of this packet at the first wellness visit.
