Puppy & Kitten Care at Ellenton Animal Hospital
You've just brought your kitten or puppy home for the first time — what an exciting day! Your cute, cuddly new family member can't help but bring a smile to everyone who's near them.
Fun as these days might be, there's also some serious healthcare business to take care of during your new pet's first year.
Your vet can develop a custom healthcare plan to meet your pet's specific needs in their first year. We'll also provide lots of guidance and support along the way.
Your Pet’s First Vet Visit
Ideally, puppies should see the vet for the first time at about six weeks of age, and kittens around eight weeks.
During this initial visit, your veterinarian will perform a complete physical examination for your pet to assess their overall health, look for any signs of congenital defects, and catch any external parasites.
At this time, your pet should also receive the first round of puppy or kitten vaccinations and deworming medications for roundworms and hookworms.
More About Vaccines & Prevention
Finally, for kittens, we will perform a blood test to check for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus.
Followup Appointments
Puppies and kittens should attend 3 or 4 veterinary appointments between the ages of 6 and 16 weeks. These visits allow our vets to evaluate your pet's physical health and to administer vaccines on schedule.
Puppy & Kitten Packages
Along with your furry new bundle of joy, you're also taking on many responsibilities as a pet parent to a puppy or kitten.
To help you navigate all the "firsts" you'll experience in year one, our team can be a valuable source of guidance and support.
In our Kitten Packages and Puppy Packages, you'll find everything you'll need to know about your pet's early development, including:
- Nutrition information
- A vaccination and medical care schedule
- Tips for how to socialize your puppy or kitten with animals and people, including pets already living in your home
- Basic puppy training guidelines
- Information on spaying and neutering your pet
- Information on common medical problems such as heartworm disease, feline leukemia, and zoonosis
Our vets are happy to answer any questions you may have, and put any worries or concerns to rest. We want to ensure that you and your kitten or puppy have everything you need to start a great life together!