Welcoming a new pet into your household is an exciting time and Queenstown Veterinary Hospital veterinarians are ready to work with you to to give him or her the very best start. Establishing a routine of regular examinations as soon as possible after your new pet joins your family is crucial as it allows us to get to know your pet both medically and socially.
Early Exams Benefit Your Pet
A veterinarian should examine a new puppy or kitten as soon as possible. We will perform a thorough exam and review what vaccinations and parasite treatments your new pet has already received. We will be able to give you the best advice on checking when to start regular examinations and vaccinations, usually beginning at 6–8 weeks of age.
During your new pet’s initial examination, we will discuss and develop a schedule with you for:
- Vaccinations based on your pet’s lifestyle and exposure risks
- Spay or neuter
- Diet and nutrition
- Tooth brushing and dental care
- House and litter box training
- Obedience class recommendations
- Behavioral problems and concerns
Your pet’s early visits are useful to begin desensitization of the feet and mouth to help make future dental examinations and nail trims more comfortable for everyone. Frequent, positive contact with our staff members from an early age enhances your pet’s future interactions with your family and other people. We encourage you to bring your new pet in to visit us weekly, stopping by for a treat, a weight check and a few loving scratches.
Nutrition Is Vital for Healthy Puppies & Kittens
Obesity is an easily avoidable pet health problem. It is very important to establish good eating and exercise habits while your pet is young. Avoid giving your pet table scraps or human food. We will educate you and your family how to make the best food choices for your pet and help you determine how much they need to eat as they grow.
Why Spay or Neuter Your Pet?
Spaying and neutering is a good way of keeping the unwanted pet population low as well as avoid unwanted pet pregnancies. Also, there are many health benefits to spaying and neutering your pets.
- Spaying your dog before her first heat cycle reduces her chances of mammary cancer and uterine infections.
- Neutering your dog helps to lessen the chance of prostate problems as well as testicular cancer.
- Sterilization of your cat or dog increases the probability that your pet will have a longer, healthier life.
- Spaying or neutering your canine friend can increase the lifespan 1–3 years and cats, on average, may live 3–5 years longer.
It is recommended that you have your dog undergo this procedure at 10–12 months of age if male and 6 months of age for a female. Both male and female cats can have this surgery at 6 months. We recommend discussing your pet with one of our veterinarians to determine the best and safest time to schedule this surgery.
Questions, Answers & Continuing Care
Another helpful tool is our newsletter subscription service. Our newsletters will educate you on varying pet topics as well as give you updates on what is going on at Queenstown Veterinary Hospital.
Queenstown Veterinary Hospital’s veterinarians and staff will continue to work with you as your pet grows into a healthy adult and eventually a faithful senior pet. We look forward to helping you help your pet live a long, happy life.
