Thank you for allowing us to help manage your pet's health. Please follow the below suggestions to insure optimum growth and development. For more exotic pets, please call us or schedule an appointment.

New Puppy Care

Vaccinations
The series of vaccinations against Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Coronavirus, and Parvovirus should be given at 6,9,12, and 16 weeks of age. Remember that puppies are not immune to Distemper and Parvovirus until the entire vaccination series is completed. This will not be until after the last immunization which will be given when the pup is approximately 16 weeks of age. Avoid contact with strange or stray dogs as much as possible until that time. Many adult dogs are carriers of disease even though they are not sick themselves. Rabies vaccination is usually given at 16 weeks of age and you will receive the county tag and license. This will be renewed each year at the time of the rabies vaccinations.

Internal Parasite Examination
A fecal should be performed on the first two visits to check for "worms." The puppy should be dewormed if the test is positive for any internal parasite. Remember that we cannot find tapeworms because they do not pass eggs in the stool for us to find under the microscope. Be sure to inform us if you should see small, white segments (rice-like) in your pet's stools. Tapeworms require a specific type of medication that is different from other de-worming medications. The fecal examination will also check for coccidia, a small protozoa that is transferred from mother to offspring. Begin heartworm preventive around the time of the last visit, around 16 weeks of age. It should be given once per month all year long.

Flea Control
We recommend using Advantage, Frontline, or Advantix once a month for flea control. Do not waste money on over-the-counter products. Understand that 90% of the flea's life cycle is spent off the pet. Spraying the yard and house is the most effective part of flea control.

Spay/Neuter
We recommend spaying or neutering your puppy at a minimum age of six months. Females do not have to have a heat cycle before spaying, in fact, it is better if they don't. The earlier spaying occurs the less likely mammary tumors will occur later in life.

Food
Feed only high quality puppy foods. You get what you pay for in puppy food. High protein content does not mean it is a digestible protein that is of benefit to the puppy. We recommend Hill's Science Diet puppy food.

Exercise
Encourage exercise to promote bone and muscle development.

Notify the clinic any time you have a problem with your puppy. Be sure to call should the puppy develop diarrhea, vomiting, or loss of appetite that lasts longer than 24 hours.

New Kitten Care

Vaccinations
Your kitten should receive vaccinations for Feline Distmeper, Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Pneumonitis at 9, 12, and 16 weeks of age. The first injection for Feline Leukemia should be given at 12 weeks of age with a booster at 16 weeks. Feline Infectious Virus (FIV) can also be given at this time. Both vaccines are strongly recommended since these two diseases are the two major causes of death in cats- and no treatment is effective once the diseases are present. A booster of FIV will then be required three weeks later. We highly recommend the leukemia vaccinations since we know that the leukemia virus is in the same family as the aids virus affecting people. Rabies vaccinations should also be given at 16 weeks of age. Annuals should be given once each year.

Internal Parasite Examination
A fecal examination should be done on the first visit to check for intestinal worms and coccidia. Oral medication can be given for ascarids (Roundworms) and hookworms. No diarrhea or vomiting should occur as a result of this medication. You may see worms looking like spaghetti in the stools during the next 24-48 hours after the de-worming. Tapeworms require a specific type of medication. Inform us if you see small, white segments (rice-like) in the stools of your kitten. There is no test to detect tapeworms- you must find the segments.

Flea Control
You can begin to apply flea control, such as Advantage or Frontline, to your kitten when it is at least 8 weeks old. Talk to a veterinarian before using any other insecticide. Avoid all over-the-counter products. We have seen many reactions to these products since cats are very sensitive to most insecticides. Never use a product that is for both fleas and ticks, such as Advantix, since it is lethal to your cat.

Spay/Neuter
We prefer to spay and neuter at 5-9 months of age. However, we can spay or neuter anytime after 5 months of age. Cats in heat or pregnant can also be spayed.

Food
Feed only high quality cat food. These foods are the most nutritionally balanced foods that are available today. Stool volume and odor will be greatly decreased. Feed only dry food. Change water daily. Food may be moistened with water until three months of age. For your kitten we recommend Hill's Science Diet kitten food.