Pet Wellness Care in First Year
Bringing a new puppy or kitten home is an exciting time! This cute, cuddly new family member can't help but make everyone who interacts with them smile.
Fun as it may be, there is also some serious healthcare business to take care of during your new pet's first year of life.
During your pet's first year, your veterinarian will create a personalized health care plan to meet their specific needs, as well as provide you with plenty of support and guidance!
Your Pet’s First Checkup at Goodspeed Animal Care
Puppies should ideally have their first veterinary appointment around six weeks of age, and kittens around eight weeks.
During this initial visit, your pet will be given a thorough physical examination to assess their overall health, look for signs of congenital defects, and check for external parasites.
We will also administer deworming medications for roundworms and hookworms, and the first round of vaccinations.
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 have 3 to 4 veterinary appointments between the ages of 6 and 16 weeks. These visits allow our veterinarians to assess your pet's overall health and administer vaccines on time.
Guidance on Puppy & Kitten Care
Bringing home a new pet comes with new responsibilities.
To help you navigate your puppy or kitten's first year, our team will provide plenty of guidance, support, and helpful information.
Specifically, we can take time during your pet's routine checkups to share everything you need to know about your puppy or kitten's early development.
Our Kitten and Puppy information packs contain everything you'll need to know about your pet’s early development, including:
- A schedule for vaccinations and medical care, based on your pet's age and development
- Information on spaying and neutering your pet
- Information on common medical problems, such as heartworm disease, feline leukemia, and zoonosis
- Tips for how to socialize your puppy or kitten with animals and people, including pets already living in your home
- Basic puppy training guidelines
- Nutrition information
Our veterinarians will answer any questions you may have and allay any concerns or worries. We want you and your puppy or kitten to have everything you need to start a wonderful and exciting new life together!