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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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