Puppy & Kitten Wellness Exams for a Healthy Start
Puppies and kittens are undeniably adorable, but they can also be a handful – especially when it comes to their health needs. Fortunately, you have Paumanok Veterinary Hospital on your team to guide you through everything necessary to give your young pet the best possible start in life.
Puppy Care
We love puppies at Paumanok Veterinary Hospital, and even more, we enjoy providing them with all the essential care needed to start their life off on the right paw.
We recommend all new puppy owners schedule an initial appointment at Paumanok Veterinary Hospital for several important reasons. First, we’ll perform a comprehensive nose-to-tail physical exam to establish a health baseline and identify any potential health issues early on.
We’ll also help create a vaccination schedule tailored to your puppy’s age, vaccination history, and lifestyle. Recommended vaccinations for puppies typically include (but are not always limited to):
- Distemper
- Hepatitis
- Parvovirus
- Rabies
- Bordetella
During the first exam, we may also suggest routine tests like a heartworm exam and fecal exam to ensure your puppy is free from parasites and in good health.
Kitten Care
Is there anything more precious than looking into the big, beautiful eyes of a lovable little kitten you’ve just brought home? How about the peace of mind that comes from knowing your kitten is healthy and properly vaccinated?
At Paumanok Veterinary Hospital, we strongly advocate for early wellness exams for kittens. These exams allow us to perform a full physical check-up, recommend a tailored vaccination schedule, and conduct routine tests to ensure your kitten is developing properly.
If you have any questions about recommended vaccinations or tests for your pet, feel free to speak with your vet. We're always happy to answer any questions and guide you through the process. After all, caring for your new kitten is a team effort between you and our hospital.
Spay/Neuter Procedure
We strongly recommend sterilizing all dogs and cats to help reduce sexual instincts, unwanted behaviors, and the risk of infections and diseases. Our veterinarians are highly skilled in performing spay and neuter procedures, ensuring that your pet will be closely monitored, safe, and comfortable throughout the entire procedure and recovery process.
Neutering involves the surgical removal of the testicles, which helps reduce aggressive behavior, the desire to roam, and prevents testicular cancer and prostate disease. A pre-operative physical exam and blood tests will be performed to ensure your pet’s safety during surgery and anesthesia. Recovery is typically smooth, with minimal aftercare required.
Spaying involves the removal of the ovaries and uterus to prevent heat cycles and the possibility of pregnancy. This procedure is generally performed between 4-6 months of age, ideally before the first heat cycle. In addition to preventing heat and pregnancy, spaying eliminates the risk of uterine infections and ovarian/uterine tumors. It also reduces the risk of malignant breast cancer by up to 90% when done before the first heat cycle. We will also conduct a pre-operative exam and blood testing to ensure your pet’s safety throughout the procedure.
Microchipping
Microchipping is a quick and painless procedure that offers lifelong protection and identification for your pet. Similar to a routine vaccination, the microchip is injected just under the skin between the shoulder blades. Unlike a collar, a microchip can never fall off, get lost, or be intentionally removed.
