New Puppy and Kitten Exams

Have you recently adopted a new furry family member? Getting a new puppy or kitten is an exciting time for you and for them! The joy of bringing them to their new home and introducing them to their new lives is truly a heart warming experience. However, part of that experience should include new puppy and kitten exams.

You want to give them the best life possible. So it’s important that you give them the best chance. It’s a big world out there! And while there are plenty of good experiences awaiting them, there are also dangers that they will face.

Sadly, infections and disease affect every living creature. So it’s important to provide them with the protection that they need.

With a new puppy and kitten exam, we’ll check if they have any underlying health issues and ensure they are vaccinated. So they can live long and happy lives.

While the process depends on your pet’s specific needs and the treatments and tests vary from clinic to clinic – typically, pets are brought to the vet on three different occasions between 8 and 16 weeks of age. Like most living beings, pets are more vulnerable at younger ages. So it’s important to keep track of their development at a younger age.

The Exam

New puppy and kitten exams consist of a general checkup and usually include a vaccination. The veterinarian will inspect your pet’s mouth, ears, eyes, nose, and toes, as well as the skin and coat.

Next, the vet will check their weight, confirm their age and inquire about their diet, their activity level and appetite. Additionally, they will listen to their heartbeat and lungs, palpate their abdomen and inspect their teeth.

This will provide the health care professional with a clear overview of your pet’s general health. And this will serve as a baseline moving forward.

It’s a complete examination from head to toe… or head to tail? You get it.

Vaccinations

Typically, your pet is administered several vaccines over the course of three exams. Your pets will receive several vaccinations in order to protect them from a variety of diseases that they can contract from other animals.

Naturally, kittens and puppies require different vaccines…

We usually give kittens their first FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhino tracheitis, Calici virus, Panleukopenia) vaccine on the first visit to begin the immunization process. For the next appointment, we re-administer the FVRCP once more. Additionally, we also give them the FeLV vaccines that protects against the Feline Leukemia Virus and a shot to protect against Rabies.

Puppies will receive the DA2PP (Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus and Parainfluenza) vaccine on their first visit. For the second exam they will have the DA2PP re-administered along with a Lepto and Bordetella vaccine. And for the final puppy checkup we will give them the DA2PP, Lepto, Bordetella, Rabies to complete the immunization process.

These first few visits can have a massive impact on your pet’s future as well as the quality of their life. Whether you go to the clinic or the vet comes to you, it’s highly important to see a veterinarian on a regular basis to give your pet the best living experience possible.