Puppy & Kitten Care

New Puppy & Kitten Care: Expert Veterinary Services

Adding a new puppy or kitten to the family is a cause for joy and celebration. Pets bring happiness and warmth into our lives with their funny antics and loving natures. We want to help your new pet live a long, healthy, and happy life.

Puppies and kittens require special care for their growth and development. Just like human children, pets will need to go to the vet’s office for a check-up more frequently than adults to ensure they receive the proper vaccinations and are free from any developmental issues.

Affordable McKinney, Texas Puppy Veterinarian

It is not uncommon for young pets to face various health challenges as their immune systems develop. That's why we encourage new pet owners to establish care with our puppy and kitten vet as soon as possible. If you are looking for an affordable and friendly vet office in McKinney, Texas, our experienced veterinarians can help ensure your new furry friend gets the preventative care, vaccinations, and treatment they need to thrive.

What to Expect at Your Puppy’s First Vet Visit

The first puppy visit is an important opportunity to establish a relationship with the veterinary team and ensure the new pup gets off to a healthy start. At your first veterinary visit, pet owners can expect the following:

• A thorough physical examination will be conducted to assess the puppy's overall health, checking things like weight, temperature, heart rate, and reflexes.
• The vet will discuss the puppy's vaccination schedule and provide the necessary shots to protect against common infectious diseases like parvo, distemper, and rabies.
• Puppies are prone to intestinal parasites, so the vet will likely recommend deworming medication and discuss ongoing parasite prevention options.
• The vet will provide advice on the puppy's diet, including recommended feeding amounts, frequency, and transitioning to solid food.
• If your puppy is not spayed or neutered yet, the vet will likely work with you to schedule this procedure.
• The vet may offer guidance on housebreaking, socialization, and other essential puppy training strategies.
• The pet owner can ask any questions they may have about caring for their new puppy and maintaining its long-term well-being.

Expert Kitten Veterinarian

A kitten's first wellness visit is essential for assessing their overall health and setting them up for a lifetime of wellness. Making this appointment promptly after bringing your new feline companion home allows the vet to establish a baseline for your kitten's health and identify any potential issues before they become serious problems.

What to Expect at Your Kitten’s First Vet Visit

It is important to get your kitten checked for various health concerns and parasites as soon as possible to ensure they are in good health. Here's what pet owners can expect at their kitten's first veterinary visit:

• A physical examination will be conducted to check the kitten's eyes, ears, teeth, coat, weight, temperature, and other vital signs.
• The vet will discuss and administer the necessary kitten vaccination series to protect against life-threatening illnesses like feline distemper and rabies.
• The vet will check for internal and external parasites like worms, fleas, and mites, and prescribe appropriate deworming or flea/tick prevention medications.
• The vet will provide guidance on proper kitten nutrition, including recommended feeding amounts, schedules, and transitioning to adult cat food.
• Tips on litter box setup and kitten litter training may be offered to help the new pet owner establish good bathroom habits.
• The vet will likely recommend scheduling the kitten's spay or neuter procedure at the ideal age, usually around 5-6 months old.
• The pet owner can ask any questions they may have about caring for their new kitten.

Common FAQs For New Pet Parents

When should pets be dewormed?

Pet vaccinations are key to protecting dogs and cats from potentially life-threatening diseases. Both puppies and kittens should receive their vaccinations in a series of three spaced-out veterinary appointments. Puppies should be dewormed every 2-4 weeks, starting at 2-3 weeks of age, and again at 16 weeks and 20 weeks of age. Kittens should be dewormed every 2-4 weeks, starting at 3-4 weeks of age, and again at 16 weeks and 20 weeks of age.

How often do puppies and kittens go to the vet in the first year?

Puppies and kittens should go to the vet around 6 times in the first year for their first wellness exam, follow-up vaccinations, a spay/neuter procedure, and a 1-year annual wellness exam. In addition to these scheduled visits, puppies and kittens should see the vet any time the owner has concerns about their health or if they experience vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or other potential issues. This frequent preventative care helps ensure proper growth, development, and disease prevention during a puppy or kitten's critical first year of life.

What puppy vaccination schedule should I follow?

Puppies receive their first vaccinations at 6-8 weeks old, followed by boosters every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks old.

• 6 to 8 weeks: Distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus, parainfluenza (DHPP) vaccine
• 10 to 12 weeks: DHPP vaccine booster
• 14 to 16 weeks: DHPP vaccine booster, rabies vaccine
• 12 to 24 weeks: Lyme disease vaccine (depending on geographic location and risk factors)
• 16 to 18 weeks: DHPP vaccine booster

Should I spay/neuter my pet?

Spay/neuter surgery is recommended for all companion animals that will not be intentionally and responsibly bred. The best time for health and behavioral reasons to spay/neuter a pet is before the dog or cat becomes sexually mature. If you are adopting a puppy or kitten soon, this should be on your radar for the near future.

Does my pet need a microchip?

Microchipping can save your pet’s life if they ever become lost or separated from your family. It allows a chip that is registered with your contact information to be with them at all times for the rest of their life. The procedure is simple, fast, and involves little to no pain.

Puppy Package

First Visit

• Exam / Office Visit
• Distemper/Adenovirus/Parainfluenza/Parvo/Corona Vaccination
• Fecal (Internal Parasite test)

Second Visit

• Examination / Office Visit
• Distemper/Adenovirus/Parainfluenza/Parvo/Corona Vaccination
• Bordetella (Kennel cough) vaccination
• K-9 Influenza Vaccine
• Fecal (Internal Parasite test)
• Heartworm Preventative Single

Third Visit

• Examination / Office Visit
• Distemper/Adenovirus/Parainfluenza/Parvo/Corona Vaccination
• Bordetella (Kennel cough) Vaccination
• Rabies
• K-9 Influenza Vaccine
• Heartworm Preventative Single

* Your dog will need a 6 months supply of heartworm preventative, not included in package.

Must be completed within 6 months. Fees refundable ONLY for hospital credit here at HEVH.

Kitten Package

MUST BE COMPLETED WITHIN 6 MONTHS

First Visit

• Exam
• Feline Viral
• Rhinotracheitis/Chlamydia/Panleukopenia/Calici Vaccine
• Fecal

Second Visit

• Exam
• Feline Viral
• Rhinotracheitis/Chlamydia/Panleukopenia/Calici Vaccine
• Feline Leukemia Vaccination

Third Visit

• Exam
• Feline Viral
• Rhinotracheitis/Chlamydia/Panleukopenia/Calici Vaccine
• Feline Leukemia Vaccination
• Rabies Vaccination
• Heartworm Preventative Single

**FELV/FIV COMBO TEST ARE NOT INCLUDED IN PACKAGE.

Fees refundable ONLY for hospital credit here at HEVH.

Find An Expert Puppy & Kitten Vet In McKinney, Texas

Your new puppy or kitten deserves the very best start in life. At Highlands Eldorado Veterinary Hospital in McKinney, Texas, our compassionate team of veterinarians and staff are committed to providing exceptional care for your furry friend. From their initial wellness exam to ongoing preventative care, we'll work closely with you to ensure your puppy or kitten grows up happy and healthy. Our modern facility, advanced diagnostic tools, and individualized treatment plans make us the trusted choice for affordable and friendly vet services in the local community. Book your pet’s first appointment at Highlands Eldorado Veterinary Hospital today. We can't wait to welcome you and your new companion to our family.