So, you’ve recently adopted a puppy or a kitten? We’re probably not the first ones to say “congratulations,” but we share your excitement in welcoming this new member to your home!
There’s nothing that inspires happiness and joy in people quite like the cheery presence of a puppy or a cat. At Goshen Animal Clinic, we love cats and dogs of all shapes and sizes, and that includes the young ones. That’s why we provide comprehensive care for puppies and kittens at our animal hospital in Gaithersburg, MD.
Below, we’ll be taking a look at our puppy and kitten examination services in a little more detail. We’ll also cover the importance of administering your puppy and kitten’s required vaccinations. Keep reading below to learn more as a new dog or cat owner!
Examinations For Kittens And Puppies — What Should I Expect?
It’s generally recommended to visit your local animal hospital and veterinary care team to make sure that you’re comfortable with the environment (before you get your new puppy or kitten). Our Gaithersburg veterinarians strive to be as friendly and transparent as possible about our business, so please don’t hesitate to drop in and get familiar with things!
Whether you’re bringing in your puppy or kitten for their initial vet visit, you can generally expect the following to occur:
- Friendly greeting and pets
- Weigh-in
- Listening to the heart and lungs via stethoscope
- Taking temperatures
- Skin and coat examination
- Brief oral examination
- Palpate abdomen and lymph nodes
- Checking for mites and other intruders
- Discussion of fecal analysis and blood tests
This list is by no means comprehensive, but it gives you a good idea of what to expect for your first visit. We’ll also address any abnormalities in your new pet’s vitals, and of course, this is a good time to bring up any specific concerns that you have about your new puppy or kitten.
Though most adopted and/or purchased puppies and kittens are spayed or neutered, we’ll have you schedule an appointment for this important procedure if they’re not.
Vaccinations For Puppies And Kittens
Rabies is a standard vaccination for both cats and dogs, but your little one won’t receive the shot until they’re a little older. Typical kitten vaccinations also include rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia. For puppies, the American Kennel Club has an excellent, comprehensive review of puppy vaccinations.
It’s important to note that all kitten and puppy vaccinations are time sensitive and should only be administered around a certain age. We’ll provide you with a vaccination schedule during your visit so you’ll know what immunizations to expect moving forward.
Compassionate Care For Kittens And Puppies In Gaithersburg
New pet owners naturally have lots of questions, and though the above information doesn’t outline every single piece of information you should know, we hope that we’ve instilled a little bit more confidence in you and your puppy or kitten’s first visit with us.
Learn more about what to expect for your first visit before scheduling an appointment with our Gaithersburg animal clinic.
