Puppy and Kitten Care
Help your new friend start life on the right paw with the tender puppy and kitten care from Sand Creek Animal Hospital in Albany, NY.
What to Expect from Your New Puppy or Kitten
Your newest family member needs a lot of veterinary care to lay the foundation for a healthy life. Just like human babies, puppies and kittens come into the world with next to no protection against diseases, so it’s up to you as their caretaker to take the proper precautions. Our skilled veterinary team at Sand Creek Animal Hospital in Albany, NY, is here to help guide you on the care your new companions need to enjoy a full, loving life with your family.
Kitten Exams
Bring your kitten in for a wellness visit as soon as you can. We recommend several visits over the following 6 months to administer vaccines and conduct ongoing exams.
Through the course of your visits, you can expect the following treatments and examinations. This timeline may vary depending on your kitten’s exact age.
8 weeks
- Complete exam (recommended every four weeks)
- Weight check
- Fecal analysis to check for intestinal parasites
- Routine deworming
- Start flea and tick preventatives
- Start distemper vaccine (FVRP) series (1st of 3)
- Test for Feline Leukemia (FeLv) and FIV, if not already completed
- Discuss any general questions or concerns
12 Weeks
- Complete exam (recommended every four weeks)
- Weight check
- Continue distemper (FVRP) vaccine series (2nd of 3)
- Discuss home dental care
- Continue flea and tick preventatives (required for both indoor and outdoor cats)
- Start Feline Leukemia (FeLv) vaccine series (1st of 2), outdoor cats only
14 Weeks
Outdoor Cats Only
- Visit with a technician
- Weight check
- Feline Leukemia (FeLv) vaccine (2nd of 2)
- Discuss any questions or concerns
16 Weeks
- Complete exam (recommended every four weeks)
- Weight check
- Discuss spay/neuter (schedule in 4-8 weeks)
- Discuss Bartonella testing at time of spay/neuter
- Administer final distemper (FVRP) vaccine series (3rd of 3)
- Rabies vaccine
- Discuss microchipping
Puppy Exams
Come visit us for a puppy exam as quickly as possible to start their care. From their first visit, we’ll start your new dog on a comprehensive health plan to lay the foundation for a healthy life.
Review our typical puppy exam schedule below. This timeline may vary depending on your puppy’s exact age.
8 weeks
- Complete exam (recommended every four weeks)
- Weight check
- Fecal analysis to check for any intestinal parasites
- Begin a distemper (DHPP) vaccine series (1st of 3)
- Dispense Interceptor for heartworm prevention
- Dispense Credelio for flea and tick prevention
- Begin deworming protocol
- Dispense Drontal to be given 10 weeks after deworming protocol
- Discuss any questions or concerns, including general puppy care and training
12 Weeks
- Complete exam (recommended every four weeks)
- Weight check
- Distemper (DHPP) vaccine (2nd of 3) and Leptospirosis (1st of 2) combination
- Lyme Vaccine
- Pick up more Interceptor and Credelio
- Discuss home dental care
14 Weeks
- Visit with a technician
- Weight check
- Lyme vaccine (1st of 2)
- Answer any further puppy questions
16 Weeks
- Complete exam (recommended every four weeks)
- Weight check
- Final distemper (DHPP) vaccine (3rd of 3)
- Rabies vaccine
- Pick up more Interceptor PLUS and Credelio
- Discuss spay/neuter (to be scheduled in 4-8 weeks)
- Discuss microchipping
18 Weeks
- Visit with technician
- Weight check
- Lyme vaccine (2nd of 2)
Why Choose Sand Creek Animal Hospital for Puppy and Kitten Care?
At Sand Creek Animal Hospital, our goal in treating young pets is to build a lifetime of good health and help ensure they develop a positive association with their new vet.
Our facility is designed to provide pets with a calm and welcoming environment that minimizes stress by avoiding unnecessary contact with other animals, which may provoke younger pets still undergoing behavioral training. Just as importantly, many of our veterinarians are Fear Free certified, utilizing techniques to relieve anxiety and fear in pets to ensure they never see a trip to our hospital as cause for alarm.
More than simply your veterinary provider, we aim to serve as your full-time partners in puppy and kitten care in Albany, NY. After every visit with your puppy or kitten, we will give you a follow-up call to discuss any further findings and give you a chance to ask additional questions. No matter if you’re a seasoned small pet parent or if you’re raising a furbaby for the first time, we’re here to support your new companion every baby step of the way.
Contact Sand Creek Animal Hospital today and schedule expert puppy and kitten care in Albany, NY.
