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Puppy/Kitten Exams
Immunization
Parasites
Spaying and Neutering
Permanent Identification
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| | Puppies and kittens need early and frequent exams and vaccinations. By starting your puppy and kitten off right, he or she will become a valued member of your family. Most puppies or kittens you bring into your home will already have had some veterinary attention, but you should contact us right away when you bring the new family member home, so we can get started with a good health program for your pet. | |
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| | To build up their immunity, puppies and kittens need a series of vaccines up until 16 to 18 weeks of age.
When a baby kitten or puppy is born, its immune system is not yet mature. Fortunately, in the first few days, the mother's milk is rich in antibodies which protect the baby. How long this maternal antibody protection lasts varies by individual, depending on birth order, how well the babies nursed and a number of other factors. However, by the time the babies are 16 to 18 weeks old, maternal antibodies are gone and the baby must rely on its own immune system.
Puppies and kittens receive a series of vaccines ending at this time, when the baby's own immune system should be able to respond. To give babies the best chance of responding to immunization, we vaccinate every 3 to 4 weeks starting from age 6 to 8 weeks and up to 16 to 18 weeks of age, in hope in hope of gaining some early protection.
When a vaccine is given for the first time, even in adult animals, it is best to give at least two vaccinations. This is because the second vaccination will produce a much greater response if it follows one given 2 to 4 weeks prior.
Please see our section on Immunizations for vaccination schedules. | |
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| | Internal Parasites
Puppies and kittens can be born with intestinal parasites, or get them from other pets that have parasites. These include roundworms, hookworms and coccidia, all of which are easily treatable. It is important to have your pet checked. At NorthPointe, we perform intestinal parasite examinations at regular intervals to help keep your pet parasite-free.
External Parasites
Fleas and ticks can be prevented with a topical flea and tick prevention, even on puppies and kittens. We prefer Frontline Plus, as it kills the adult fleas, inhibits the flea life cycle and kills ticks too. A specific external parasite regimen can be tailored for your pet. For information on prevention of parasite transmission to humans, please visit our Zoonosis page.
Heartworm Disease
We recommend that you start your puppy on heart worm prevention before 6 months of age. For more information, please see our Heartworm page.
These conditions also can occur commonly with young and even older pets, but with proper preventative care and regular physical examinations, your pet can live a longer and healthier life. | |
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| | We recommend that you have your puppies and kittens spayed or neutered at 5 to 6 months of age. Please click here for more information, including the benefits of spaying and neutering, under our Surgical section. | |
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| | We recommend the Home Again Micro-Chip identification for your pet. If your pet gets out and loses her collar, she will still have her microchip and has a better chance of being identified and returned to you. Most veterinarians and animal shelters have a scanner for reading the chip and identifying your pet. Please see our Microchip I.D. page for more information. | |
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