Puppy and Kitten Wellness

Your puppy or kitten wellness visits are vitally important for your new pet's life. In addition to providing your new pet with needed protection from disease with vaccinations, a full physical examination is done to ensure your pet is healthy.

We also enjoy providing you with information on how to help your new pet live a long and healthy life. We will also answer questions you have about behavior and training so we can make your pet a welcome member of your family.

Puppies get a series of 3 vaccines:

The first vaccine given at 6 to 8 weeks old is the Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvo combination (DHPP).

This vaccine is then boostered at 10 to 12 weeks old, with the addition of Leptospirosis (DHLPP).

The final set of vaccines is the last DHLPP and Rabies which are both good for one year and are given at 14 to 16 weeks old. (The next DHLPP and Rabies will both be good for 3 years with the Leptospirosis being boostered every year the DHLPP is not given.)

You may also choose to vaccinate for Lyme disease. Choosing to do the Lyme vaccine may change the timeline for vaccines slightly, but our staff can give you more details if this is something you are interested in doing.

We do Heartworm tests on dogs that have gone through at least one mosquito season. The test we use also tests for 3 tick-borne diseases: Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, and Ehrlichia canis.

You can also ask our doctors about the Bordatella vaccine if you are planning to board your canine, take him/her to training classes, take him/her to a doggy daycare, or to dog parks.  Many training classes require the Bordatella vaccine, so you should check with them on vaccine requirements before starting classes.

We now also offer the Canine Influenza vaccine which can be given as early as 8 weeks old. If you breed or  travel with your puppy or dog our veterinarians may recommend this vaccine. This virus can cause your animal to become very sick and potentially be fatal without proper supportive care.

Dewclaw removal and tail docking should be done at 2 to 3 days old for puppies.

Kittens get a series of 3 vaccines as well:

The first vaccine given at 6 to 8 weeks old is the Panleukopenia, Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus combination (PRC).

This vaccine is boostered at 10 to 12 weeks old (PRC).

The final set of vaccines are the final PRC and Rabies, given at 14 to 16 weeks old. Both are good for one year. (The next time the PRC is given it will be good for 3 years.)

The standard Rabies vaccine for felines, at our clinic, is a one year vaccine.

We also offer a Feline Leukemia (FeLV) vaccine series, if they are at risk for this disease. This series will slightly change the vaccination schedule. We recommend testing for the disease before vaccination. The test we offer for Feline Leukemia also tests for FIV and Heartworm. (The FeLV vaccine is good for 1 year.)

Puppies and Kittens:

Deworming of puppies and kittens can start at 2 weeks of age. They are typically given 2 to 3 doses of dewormer each given 2 weeks apart.

We will neuter or spay puppies and kittens starting at 5 to 6 months old.

Declawing cats or kittens can be done at the time of neuter or spay.

State Law requires dogs to be vaccinated for Rabies. Please check with your town, village or city for other vaccination requirements for your dog(s) and cat(s).

Please watch for reactions after your pet is vaccinated and call us immediately.

Severe reactions include: facial swelling, vomiting, and collapse.

Mild reactions include: diminished appetite, decreased social behavior, lethargy, and swelling at injection site.