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Emergency Info
Open 24 Hours
(916) 685-2494
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Pet Portal Access
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News
We will post news of interest here.
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Puppy and Kitten Wellness
Just as with human babies, puppies and kittens need to see their
veterinarian on a more frequent schedule than do adult pets. The
attention you pay to your new pet’s well-being will also pay off later
with a healthier adult and senior citizen pet. Puppies and kittens have
weaker immune systems than adults and, as a result, are more susceptible
to infection from diseases and parasites. They’re in a rapid growth
stage and need diets specially formulated for their nutritional needs.
These youngsters need to be examined more often than adult pets to make
sure they’re developing properly.
One of your very first stops after adopting your puppy or kitten should
be at a veterinary hospital for an initial complete physical
examination. Your veterinarian needs to make sure that your new family
member is healthy and does not bring fleas, ticks, intestinal parasites,
or any other health problems that could be transmitted to other animals
or humans into your household.
Puppies and kittens are vulnerable to parasite infestations that can
seriously threaten their health. Thankfully, however, with today’s safe
and effective deworming, heartworm preventative, and flea and tick
control products, parasites need never bother your youngster. Believe it
or not, most puppies and kittens are infected with worms transmitted by
their mothers. That is why most veterinarians require that puppies and
kittens be routinely treated with deworming medications. The blood loss
caused by a severe flea infestation in a tiny puppy or kitten can be
fatal. Treatment and prevention products can be used in puppies and
kittens as young as 6 weeks of age. Heartworm infection is a serious
problem in both dogs and cats. Thankfully, with medications that can be
administered to pets as young as 6 weeks, heartworm disease is 100%
preventable. Puppies and kittens need a diet formulated for growth. By
maturity, most youngsters will have increased their birth weight by 40
to 50 times. A high quality growth diet will help develop strong
muscles, bones, and teeth in your little friend. Growth diets have
higher levels of protein and other nutrients to provide the nutritional
“building blocks” needed for this lifestage.
Vaccinations
Vaccinating your new puppy or kitten is extremely important. Their
immature immune system cannot fight off diseases as well as when they
are older. While they do receive some initial protection against disease
through their mother’s milk in the form of maternal antibodies, these
same antibodies can also interfere with the development of the more
permanent immunity afforded by their vaccines. It’s very important to
make sure that these little ones receive the right vaccinations, in the
right sequence, and at the right time, in order to give them the maximum
possible protection.
Parasites
Potential signs of intestinal parasites include vomiting, diarrhea,
distended abdomen, lethargy, and scratching. Sometimes no signs are
evident. Routine microscopic exams of fecal samples will help detect
these infections.
Spaying and Neutering
If you love pets, the kindest thing you can do for puppies and kittens
everywhere is to have your own spayed or neutered. Tragically, millions
of unwanted pets are euthanized each year. Generally performed at about
4-6 months of age, spaying or neutering your pet also decreases the risk
of your pet contracting cancer and other serious diseases. It will keep
your pet healthier and reduce unwanted behaviors, such as roaming,
spraying, inappropriate elimination, or mounting. |
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