Getting your new puppy or kitten off to a healthy start sets the stage for their lives as healthy adults. Regular physical examinations, core and elective vaccinations, fecal testing for parasites, and deworming are all important elements of ensuring good health for your puppy or kitten. Our knowledgeable staff can help your family learn about essential care needs for your new pet.
Puppies should be dewormed starting around 2-3 weeks of age, with deworming treatments repeated every 2-4 weeks until they are 12 weeks old. This helps eliminate common intestinal parasites that can be passed from the mother dog to her litter. Your veterinarian will recommend an appropriate deworming schedule and medications based on your puppy's risk factors.
.jpg?width=1280&height=852&name=Behavior%20Training%20and%20Socialization%20(1).jpg)
Behavior training and socialization are essential building blocks for raising a well-adjusted puppy or kitten. Early training helps your pet understand acceptable behaviors, such as house training for puppies or litter box use for kittens. This helps prevent common issues like excessive barking, destructive scratching, or anxiety. Socialization, which involves gently introducing your pet to new experiences, people, animals, and environments, builds confidence and reduces fear as they age. We typically encourage pet parents to start these positive routines early, ensuring your pet grows up comfortable, confident, and ready to thrive in their lifelong home with you.
Microchipping your puppy or kitten is a quick, safe procedure that provides lifelong peace of mind. This process involves implanting a tiny, rice-sized chip under your pet’s skin—usually between the shoulder blades. This unique microchip contains important identification information, greatly improving the chances of reunion if your pet ever becomes lost.
The procedure is similar to a routine vaccination and can easily be performed during a wellness exam or a separate brief visit. Once your pet is microchipped and registered with your contact information, veterinary offices and shelters can scan the chip and access the registry to help reunite you with your pet. Be sure to keep your contact info up to date and register your chip with a national pet recovery service.
.jpg?width=724&height=709&name=Heartworm%20and%20Parasite%20Prevention%20in%20Chapel%20Hill%20(1).jpg)
Parasite prevention is an essential part of keeping your puppy or kitten healthy and comfortable. Young pets are especially vulnerable to parasites, which can lead to serious health issues if left untreated. Common parasites such as fleas, ticks, ear mites, and intestinal worms can cause itching, discomfort, and even more severe problems like anemia, malnutrition, or digestive issues. Heartworms are another critical concern, particularly for puppies, but kittens can also be affected, and this parasite can become life-threatening without proper prevention. Our team provides safe, effective treatments specifically tailored for puppies and kittens to keep them parasite-free.