Puppy & Kitten Care

Puppy Wellness Exams

• Puppy wellness exams are scheduled at 8, 12, and 16 week intervals. This schedule allows us to track your puppy’s growth, monitor immune health, and prevent parasitic infections.
• You can expect a comprehensive physical exam and for your vet to administer any necessary core or non-core vaccines.
• During your visits, ask us any questions you may have about your puppy’s physical health, behavior and training, temperament, etc.
• Be sure to bring a fresh fecal sample to each of your pet’s scheduled wellness visits.

Puppy Vaccinations

• Vaccines keep your puppy protected against life-threatening conditions, which is especially important for their developing immune systems.
• Before your puppy has received all of the vaccines they need during the first year of life, we recommend being mindful where you take your new puppy. Your home is the safest place. Forego dog-friendly locations like dog parks, daycares, and boarding facilities until your puppy is fully vaccinated.
• Core vaccines are recommended for all dogs. This includes: Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus, and Rabies.
• Non-core vaccines are recommended based on lifestyle, risk of exposure, and unique health considerations. This includes: Bordetella (kennel cough), Leptospirosis, and Canine Influenza.

Kitten Wellness Exams

• Kitten wellness exams are scheduled at 8, 12, and 16 week intervals. This schedule allows us to track your kitten’s  growth, monitor immune health, and prevent parasitic infections.
• You can expect a comprehensive physical exam at a wellness visit, and for your vet to administer any necessary core or non-core vaccines.
• During your visits, ask us any questions you may have about your kitten’s physical health, behavior and training, temperament, etc.
• Be sure to bring a fresh fecal sample to each of your pet’s scheduled wellness visits.

Kitten Vaccinations

• Vaccines keep your puppy protected against life-threatening conditions, which is especially important for their developing immune systems.
• Core vaccines are recommended for all kittens, regardless of lifestyle considerations or health status. These include: Rabies, Distemper, Rhinotracheitis, and Calicivirus. 
• Non-core vaccines are recommended on a case-by-case basis, determinant on lifestyle, risk of exposure, and health status. These include: Feline Leukemia, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, and Feline Infectious Peritonitis. 

Multi-Cat Households

• We strongly recommend having your new kitten tested for Feline Leukemia (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) before introducing them to other cats in your household.
• Introducing a new kitten to a multi-cat household should be a slow and patient process. Cats are territorial, so it’s best to first keep the new kitten in a separate room so they can smell each other through the door, but not see each other. After some time apart, place your kitten in a carrier and let your other cats see and smell the new kitten. The next step would be to let them interact, but don’t rush this process!

Spay/Neuter Procedure

A spay/neuter procedure refers to the removal of an animal’s reproductive organs. Spay is the term for females and neuter is the term for males. The spay/neuter procedure offers health benefits that contribute to an improved quality of life for your pet. The spay/neuter procedure supports better behavior in pets, helps to control the problem of pet overpopulation, and supports local animal rescues and shelters.

The spay/neuter procedure is done under surgical conditions, so general anesthetics, IV fluids, regular monitoring of vitals, blood work, and pain management medications are all utilized. These practices allow for a safe procedure.

For female pets specifically, the procedure will:

• Prevent unwanted litters
• End unwanted behaviors such as aggression, and roaming
• Prevent other reproductive issues, such as infection and certain cancers

For male pets specifically, the procedure will:

• Prevent unwanted litters
• End unwanted behaviors, especially aggression
• Prevent issues like testicular cancer

In some cases (such as responsible breeding, some medical cases, or older pets), we understand that the spay/neuter procedure may not be the right choice. We encourage you to discuss your pet’s options and care with your veterinarian. We will work with you!

If you have any questions about this procedure, or anything else, we encourage you to ask our team at Parkville Animal Hospital.

Microchipping

A microchip is a small device that carries a unique identification number, and is roughly the size of a grain of rice. When the microchip is scanned by a vet or shelter, it transmits its unique ID number. The microchip is injected under the loose skin between your dog’s shoulder blades and can be done in your vet’s office. The procedure is quick, pain-free, and similar to a routine vaccination. 

A microchip is most useful in cases where a pet is lost or stolen, as they are the most reliable form of pet identification. In cases where a microchipped pet is found, special scanners can be used to identify the animals identification information. We recommend inserting a microchip in your pet sooner rather than later.

After the procedure is completed, be sure to register your device with a pet recovery database so places like animal shelters and animal hospitals can return your animal to you as quickly and easily as possible. Additionally, if there are any changes in phone numbers, addresses, etc., be sure to update that information in that database.

We also recommend collars and ID tags for your pets, even though they are not as reliable as a microchip. It is always better to be more secure!