Giving your new puppy or kitten the best care possible is essential for helping it grow and develop into a healthy cat or dog. Preventative care like kitten or puppy vaccinations, spaying or neutering, and parasite prevention are integral to your growing pet’s health and well-being. Boulevard Veterinary Hospital in Norfolk, VA, offers complete pet care to ensure your pet lives a long and healthy life. Our veterinarian recommends the following for new cats and dogs to prevent future health problems.
Routine Health Check-Ups
Routine check-ups are crucial for growing puppies and kittens. Our veterinarian will inspect their physical health by feeling their bodies and coats and observing the look of their eyes, ears, and nose. Our veterinarian will also examine your pet’s behavior and weight. Fecal and blood samples are often taken to test for issues and potential problems that are not visible. You can help your pet get off to a healthy start with routine health check-ups.
Puppy and Kitten Vaccinations
Vaccines are essential for puppies and kittens. These help protect your pet from several significant and life-threatening diseases. Core puppy vaccinations include rabies, distemper, canine adenovirus, and parvovirus. Core kitten vaccinations are rabies, feline herpesvirus, calicivirus, panleukopenia, and feline leukemia. Our veterinarian can recommend non-core vaccines based on your pet’s environment and lifestyle, such as Lyme disease and Bordetella.
Spaying and Neutering
Spaying or neutering your pet is the best way to prevent unwanted pregnancies. These procedures also provide several health and behavioral benefits for your growing puppy or kitten. Your pet can avoid certain cancers involving the reproductive organs, and behaviors associated with heat cycles and mating are reduced or eliminated. Your puppy or kitten can get these surgeries as early as eight weeks of age based on its overall health and breed.
Pet Microchipping
Microchipping your pet significantly increases the chances of it being found and returned to you should it get lost. Dogs are especially eager to run, and curious cats may take off when given the chance. Microchipping your pet allows shelters and other animal clinics to identify your pet and return it to you.
Parasite Protection From Heartworms, Fleas, and Ticks
Protecting your pet from parasites is vital for ensuring it lives a long, healthy life. Heartworms, fleas, and ticks can cause significant illness or even death in pets. Many pets also experience allergies to flea bites. Our veterinarian will provide parasite prevention during your pet’s wellness visit to keep it protected and healthy.
Protect Your Pet With Quality Pet Care at Our Veterinary Hospital Today
If you are bringing a new puppy or kitten to your home and need pet care to help it grow and develop, consider contacting Boulevard Veterinary Hospital in Norfolk, VA. Our veterinarian can examine your pet and give it the care necessary to help it live a long and healthy life, so call us and schedule an appointment today at (757) 461-4416.