Care for Puppies & Kittens
Bringing home a new kitten or puppy is an exciting time for you and your household. Your new cute, cuddly and loving family member isn't able to help but make everyone who sees them smile.
As fun as it may be, there is also some serious healthcare business to take care of too though.
Your vet will develop a custom health care plan to meet your pet's specific needs during their first year, and provide you with plenty of support and guidance along the way!
Your Pet’s First Appointment
Your puppy should ideally have their first veterinary appointment with us at around 6 weeks old and your new kitten should have theirs at about 8 weeks old.
At our vet hospital, your puppy or kitten will receive a comprehensive physical assessment and examination to determine their overall health, in addition for checks for external parasites and any signs of congenital defects.
We will also administer deworming medications for roundworms and hookworms, and the first round of puppy or kitten vaccinations.
More About Vaccines & Prevention
Finally, for kittens, we will perform a blood test to check for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus.
Follow-up Appointments
Puppies and kittens should attend somewhere around three and four veterinary appointments between the ages of six and sixteen weeks old. These visits give our vets to the chance to assess your new pet's overall health and wellbeing and to administer important vaccinations on schedule.
Kitten & Puppy Vet Packages
Bringing home a new puppy or kitten comes with a lot of new responsibilities.
In order to help you navigate your kitten or puppy's first year, our team of veterinarians will be able to provide you with plenty of guidance, helpful information and support.
Our Puppy and Kitten Vet Packages contain everything you'll need to know about your pet’s early development, including:
- Nutrition information
- Information on spaying and neutering your pet
- A vaccination and medical care schedule
- Basic puppy training guidelines
- Information on common medical problems such as heartworm disease, feline leukemia, and zoonosis
- Tips for how to socialize your puppy or kitten with animals and people, including pets already living in your home
Our vets will be happy to answer any questions you may have, and put any concerns or worries to rest. We want to make sure that you and your puppy or kitten have everything you need to begin a wonderful life together!
New Patients Welcome
Santa Cruz Veterinary Hospital is accepting new patients! Our experienced vets are passionate about the health of Capitola companion animals. Get in touch today to book your pet's first appointment.