Battle Ground Veterinary Clinic, P.C.

Wellness Care

Puppies and Kittens: Veterinary Visits

When should my puppy/kitten visit the veterinarian? It is never too early for a puppy or kitten’s first veterinary visit especially if any abnormalities or illnesses are observed. If healthy, vaccination boosters should be started at 6-8 weeks of age. After the initial vaccine visit, the puppy/kitten should return to see their veterinarian every 3 weeks until fully boosted, dewormed, and a rabies vaccination has been given.

What will my puppy/kitten have done at the veterinary clinic? When a puppy/kitten comes for their first visit they are given a comprehensive physical wellness exam. During this exam, the eyes, ears, teeth and gums, skin, muscles, heart, lungs, and lymph nodes are checked for any abnormalities. If a kitten’s history is unknown, a FelV/FIV test may be administered. If healthy and ready for a booster, a DAPP or FVRCP vaccination will be given. A dewormer will also be given as all puppies and kittens are assumed to have worms. As a gift, we will provide you with a free bag of Purina Pro Plan food, a book on training, feeding, and raising your new addition, a one month dose of Frontline for fleas and ticks, and puppies receive their first month’s dose of Interceptor for heartworm prevention.

Why do puppies/kittens receive multiple boosters and dewormings? A puppy/kitten is born with its mother’s immunity which continues to be supplied through the mother’s milk. Once a youngster is weaned, those immunities must be boosted until old enough to retain them for a year’s time. If kept on schedule, it is recommended to start boosters at 6-8 weeks of age and continue every 3 weeks until 12-14 weeks. This last booster is accompanied by a rabies vaccination and both will last for one year. Deworming is also done at each puppy/kitten visit as the first dose does not kill all stages of each parasite. It is necessary to keep deworming until all parasites have had a chance to go through the life stage which is affected by the medication. Based on lifestyle, additional vaccinations may be given such as bordetella or feline leukemia.

What if my puppy/kitten has already had some vaccinations? If you received your puppy/kitten from a breeder, shelter, or pet store it is common that some vaccinations or dewormings have already be administered. Be sure to obtain a current record of your new pet’s history and bring it to your veterinarian at the first visit. The veterinarian will then alter the vaccination plan based on this history.

When can my puppy/kitten start flea control and heartworm prevention? Frontline for flea control can be started at 8 weeks of age for both puppies and kittens. Interceptor for heartworm prevention and deworming can be started at 4 weeks of age for puppies and 6 weeks of age for kittens. Heartgard for heartworm prevention and deworming can be started at 6 weeks of age for puppies and kittens. Both flea control and heartworm prevention should be administered monthly, year round, for your pet’s entire life.

What else should my puppy/kitten be seen for by the veterinarian? If an illness or medical condition arises an appointment should be made right away. This includes vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, blood in stool or urine, coughing, sneezing, discoloration or heavy discharge from the eyes, odor or discharge from the ears, bleeding or swollen gums, sores or discharge from the nose, itchy or bumpy skin, swelling around the anus, or scooting.