Have a new puppy or kitten in your home, or thinking about getting one soon?
- Veterinary examinations: New puppies and kittens should have two doctor exams: one at their first visit and another at approximately 16 weeks of age. These visits include a thorough health exam and evaluation. Between doctor visits, our veterinary technician team will help keep your pet on schedule with booster vaccines and deworming treatments.
- Microchip identification: Microchipping is an effective, nationwide pet identification system. The microchip is placed between your pet’s shoulder blades and can help reunite you with your pet if they are ever lost or stolen. Your puppy’s health and safety come first. Until they’re fully vaccinated, keeping them away from public places is one of the most loving ways to protect them from serious, highly contagious illnesses like parvovirus, distemper, and rabies while their immune system is still developing.
- Vaccinations: Until your puppy is fully vaccinated, avoid public places to protect them from serious illnesses like parvovirus, distemper, and rabies. Vaccines help prevent contagious diseases, with boosters typically given every 3–4 weeks until the series is complete. Most series need 1–3 boosters, including the rabies vaccine required by Ventura County.
Health Risks to Be Mindful Of:
- Parvovirus: This tough virus can live in soil and public areas for a long time. First signs of Parvo include sudden low energy, a decreased appetite, and a mild fever. Within 24 to 48 hours, these subtle warnings turn into severe vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and can be life-threatening for young puppies.
- Distemper: This airborne virus can affect a puppy’s breathing, digestion, and nervous system, which is why prevention during the early weeks is so important. First signs of canine distemper in a puppy typically include a sudden high fever, watery to pus-like eye discharge, and clear or yellowish nasal discharge, accompanied by severe tiredness and a loss of appetite.
- Leptospirosis: This bacterial infection can spread through puddles or wildlife urine and may harm the kidneys and liver, so it’s best to avoid unknown outdoor areas for now. First signs of infection are high fever, low energy, shivering, muscle pain, and a loss of appetite.
- Fecal testing and deworming: Our goal is to catch and treat intestinal parasites early, helping your puppy or kitten avoid complications. Stool testing helps identify parasites and guide the best deworming plan. At the first visit, puppies and kittens typically receive oral deworming medication for roundworms and hookworms, two common parasites that can affect pets and may be transmissible to people.New pet parents should watch for early signs of Giardia, including sudden foul-smelling, soft, or watery diarrhea, often with excess mucus or a pale, greasy appearance. Puppies may also have increased gas, mild weight loss, or low energy as the parasite affects their gut.
New pet parents should also watch for early signs of worms, such as a potbellied belly, soft stool or diarrhea, low energy, and dull fur.
- Parasite prevention for dogs: Dogs may be placed on a monthly oral medication to help prevent intestinal parasites, including roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms; protect against heartworm disease; and support flea control by helping prevent flea reproduction.
- Parasite prevention for cats: Cats may be placed on a monthly or 12 week topical medication to help prevent roundworms, hookworms, heartworm disease, ear mites, fleas, and ticks.
- FeLV/FIV testing for cats: This blood test is recommended before starting the FeLV vaccine series.
Gentle Ways to Socialize Safely:
- Carrying: Let your puppy experience new sights, sounds, and smells from the safety of your arms, a stroller, or a sling.
- Controlled visits: Arrange short visits with healthy, fully vaccinated adult dogs in clean, private spaces so your puppy can build confidence safely.
- Sanitized classes: Consider a well-run puppy kindergarten class that checks vaccination records and keeps the space clean, giving your pup a safe and positive start.