Get Puppies & Kittens Off to a Great Start at Callaghan Road Animal Hospital
You have a new member in your family and we can’t wait to meet him or her! It’s an exciting time when you have a new puppy or kitten in your home, and it’s also an important time for making your pet’s health a priority. We ask that you bring your new puppy or kitten in a day or two after your adoption so we can get an accurate assessment of his or her well being from the beginning. The sooner your new pet is comfortable with our office and environment, the better it is for both of you.
It’s important to realize that regular pet wellness screenings are critical for your puppy or kitten for a number of reasons. First, they help us identify any congenital kidney, liver, or blood disorders that otherwise wouldn’t be detected until your pet is experiencing symptoms. Diagnosing these conditions early means we can begin appropriate treatment and prevent further health issues. Second, we establish a baseline for what is normal for your new pet, so we have something to compare to should your pet become ill in the future. Lastly, many pets are spayed or neutered at around 5 to 6 months of age. The blood work performed during the wellness check allows us to determine if your pet is a stable candidate for surgery.
Your pet’s hands-on exam includes the following:
- Eyes, ears, and teeth
- Skin, as well as a flea and tick check
- Abdomen
- Heart and lungs
- Joints
- Genitals
In addition to the nose-to-tail routine exam, puppies and kittens require a series of pet vaccinations to build their disease immunity starting at 6 to 8 weeks of age. The series continues every 3 to 4 weeks until they are around 16 to 20 weeks old. Please bring any information about vaccinations your pet may have received prior to your adoption with you, so we can have the most up-to-date information. We also will provide you with your pet’s vaccination schedule so you can keep on track and protect your pet from unnecessary and avoidable diseases. We know that all pets are as unique as their families, and we tailor a vaccination plan to work with you and your pet’s lifestyle.
Typical vaccinations we recommend to protect against canine diseases may include:
- Rabies – Required by Texas law
- DHLPP – Distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus
- Bordetella—Infectious tracheobronchitis or kennel cough
Typical vaccinations we recommend to protect against feline diseases may include:
- Rabies – Required by Texas law
- Feline panleukopenia – Feline distemper
- Feline respiratory diseases – Rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and chlamydia
- FeLV – Feline leukemia
- FIV – Feline immuno-deficiency virus
In addition to vaccinations, we also provide routine dewormers and fecal checks, along with heartworm, tick, and flea prevention advice.
As part of your pet’s comprehensive care, we also offer advice for any behavioral or socialization issues that may arise with your pet, as well as nutrition concerns or dietary needs. We want to help your new pet acclimate to a new environment and be the lovable, social member of your family you want him or her to be.
