New pets are incredible additions to the family, and here at Bayside Animal Hospital, we want to help you provide your new cat or dog with the best care as you begin your life together. Caring for a new kitten or puppy—and their health—requires working with a veterinary team you can trust. At Bayside Animal Hospital, we offer everything from routine wellness exams to emergency services, pet dental, and more. As you embark on this new journey with your fur baby, refer to this short guide to cover all the bases when creating pet’s healthcare plan.
Vaccinations
If you’re welcoming a new puppy or kitten, you’ll want to take them to the vet as soon as possible to inquire about vaccinations. A puppy or kitten ‘s vaccine schedule may start as early as 6 and 8 weeks old. After the first round of shots to protect them from illness and disease, they will receive two or three additional booster shots to help build their immunity until they are about 16 weeks old.
If you’ve chosen to adopt your new pet, they will come with vaccination records. However, vaccination records are unavailable, please speak with our team about how best to proceed in order to protect your furry friends.
All puppies should receive their DAPP shots (Distemper, Adenovirus or Canine Infectious Hepatitis, Canine Parainfluenza, and Rabies) and kittens receive FVRCP vaccines, to protect against Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis or the Herpes Virus, Feline Calicivirus, Panleukopenia, and Rabies. At Bayside Animal Hospital, vaccines are tailored to your pet’s lifestyle, which means we won’t suggest vaccinations that aren’t necessary for your pet’s particular needs.
Wellness Visits
Annual wellness visits protect your pet from many common illnesses. The Bayside staff will check your pet’s vitals, weight, and address any concerns or abnormalities that come up during their exam. Just as humans have a routine physical, cats and dogs need wellness check-ups to identify early symptoms and protect their health. Your pet’s first vet visit is one of the most important ones.
Adult cats and dogs should have a veterinary check-up at least once a year. Senior pets (over the age of 7) will benefit from wellness exams every six months. Older pets can quickly develop common health problems, such as arthritis, diabetes, and vision problems. Bi-annual wellness visits help prevent and treat many of these common age-related issues.
Microchipping
Pets of all ages can be microchipped. Microchips are inserted under the skin and come with a unique identification number, which is registered to the manufacturer’s database. Even if your pet runs away in another state, their information can be found when their chip is scanned. Most adopted pets are already microchipped, but if yours isn’t, you can have the procedure done here at Bayside. Microchips do not wear out, expire, or require surgery. The process is about as painful as having blood drawn and is done in a matter of seconds.
Parasite Prevention
Heartworm, tick, and flea prevention should be a part of every pet’s wellness plan. Bayside offers a variety of vet-approved products to provide your kitten, puppy, cat, or dog with a lifetime of protection against parasites and illness. This preventative can also protect your pet against associated health problems such as weight loss, diarrhea, and heart damage.
Preventative care is one of our specialties: From curbside pick-up to our online store, we offer everything you need to make sure you always have access to your pet’s essential health supplies.
If you have any questions about pet care or would like to arrange an appointment, contact us at Bayside Animal Hospital today.