Congratulations! A new fluffy family member is always exciting!
- This list will feel over whelming, but our staff will help you get all of the important steps scheduled. Here are a few things that we will typically discuss during the first few puppy / kitten visits.
- Please keep your puppy / kitten off the ground in the parking lot and in the clinic until they finish their initial vaccine series! Our staff works tirelessly to keep the clinic as clean as possible, but we still want to avoid any unnecessary risk and keep your new puppy / kitten healthy until their immune system is fully developed.
- Parvo/Distemper for puppies, and FVRCP for kittens are recommended to start around 6-8 weeks of age, and be repeated every 3-4 weeks until your puppy / kitten is 16-20 weeks of age. After the puppy / kitten series this vaccine gets a booster once a year.
- Rabies vaccine can be given around 12-16 weeks of age, our staff will discuss with you the recommended time to give this vaccine depending on the unique needs of your pet. After the puppy / kitten series this vaccine gets a booster every 1-3 years.
- A deworming is usually recommended, as puppies / kittens tend to get into everything. This is usually a preventative measure. If you are worried about an active parasite infection, please bring a stool sample and let us know so we can get your pet the correct medication.
- Spay or Neuter: Its never too early to talk to our staff about planning a spay or neuter for your pet. Check out our information for cat and dog spay & neuter recommendations!
- Microchipping: microchips are about the size of a grain of rice and give your pet a unique number that can be registered and looked up in a database in the event your pet ever gets lost. Whether you wait for your pets spay / neuter appointment or get a microchip during a vaccine appointment, its a good idea to think about getting your pet microchipped!
- A pet getting sick is always a stressful time, and we completely understand that the first thing on your mind is getting answers. Often the response you will get is “Let’s get an appointment set up”. While this answer can feel frustrating in the moment, we recommend this because so many conditions can have very similar symptoms. Setting up an appointment for a full physical exam and sometimes some diagnostic tests can give our Veterinarians the information they need to start discussing treatment options.
“People always wish pets could talk to us and tell us what’s wrong. I believe it is not the pet’s ability to speak that’s the problem, it is our ability to listen. The physical exam is the best tool we have to be able to listen to all of the clues our pets are trying to tell us, and it is our job, as Veterinarians, to put all those puzzle pieces together” - Dr. Dean Hendrickson
- Please check out our Certification of Veterinary Inspection page for links and details about how to prepare for your upcoming trip!
- Note that rabies free countries ( Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Guam ) and Hawaii require a FAVN (Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization) test be performed on pets entering these locations. This test is used to ensure your pet has the appropriate protection against the rabies virus.
*** Depending on your pet's rabies vaccination status, this test can take months to complete ***
- Contact the Pet Poison Helpline at (855)764-7661 immediately if you are concerned your pet may have eaten something toxic.
- This service does have a $89 fee that includes:
- Determining how severe the condition is with their extensive database
- Providing you with instructions on what to do next and if your pet requires a trip to the vet
- Providing a case number for you to give to your veterinarian so your pet’s doctor can continue the conversation with the poison control specialist and provide your pet with the best care possible.
- Just like people, a lot of pets get stressed out going to the doctor. There are a few things that can help!
Happy visits:
- These are visits with a technician that are designed to just be a positive experience for your pet! The goal is to have your pet come into the clinic and just receive treats and love, then go home.
- Depending on your pets comfort level, this could include a walk to the back with one of the staff to get some extra hugs or just sitting in the lobby for some love and attention. Please plan these visits with our staff to make sure the lobby is quiet for you to help bring the stress level down a little more.
Chill protocol:
- Some pets just need a little extra help relaxing when they have to come to the clinic. Whether they are protective of you, have had a bad experience in the past, or just really don’t like being around other pets, we can help make things a little smoother with a chill protocol.
- This is a combination of medications that are designed to provide some light sedation and reduce anxiety. Every pet has unique needs and sometimes it can take some trial and error to find the perfect protocol for your pet. Pets will often seem a little ‘over sedate’ at home while they are relaxed, but be just right once they arrive at the clinic. Make sure to let our staff know if you have any questions or concerns so we can get your pet's protocol dialed in just right.
Muzzle training:
- We hope to de-stigmatize the muzzle. Muzzles are simply a tool, and while they can be used incorrectly, they also have a valuable purpose. This tool is designed to keep you, your pet, and staff safe when we need to give vaccinations, draw blood, and sometimes even nail trims.
- The goal is to change the muzzle from feeling like a punishment, and into something more positive. There are some excellent tools available online to start working on muzzle training at home! Find the link HERE.
There is no such thing as a bad dog or bad cat, only different levels of fear, anxiety, or stress. Working together is the best way to make vet visits as stress free as possible for you and your pet.
- If you have a puppy under the age of 6 months that is vomiting and has large amounts of watery diarrhea, please make sure to tell the clinic staff before you arrive with your puppy. We will always recommend ruling out a Parvo infection for these young puppies because parvo is incredibly contagious and can be deadly if not treated properly.
- If there is a concern your puppy could have parvo, you will be asked to wait in your car when you arrive at the clinic and call the front desk to let them know you’ve arrived. A staff member will either come out to your car to start a parvo test for your puppy or you will be given instructions on how to enter the clinic.
- Our goal is to help your puppy while minimizing risk to other clients, and make sure we can thoroughly clean all surfaces that may have been exposed to the virus.
- We recommend starting with the ASPCA resource library for how to help common behavior issues
- If work at home is not helping, it may be time to find a professional trainer. Every dog has unique needs, so we recommend calling programs in your area and discussing if they can help with what your pet needs.
- We recommend starting with the ASPCA resource library for how to help common behavior issues.