Caring for Puppies and Kittens in Charlotte, NC
Puppies and kittens are a joy to have in the family, but it’s important to remember all the responsibilities that come with taking care of them. Young pets need extra care compared to adult dogs and cats in order to have the best possible start in life. In addition, puppies and kittens are a little more vulnerable to infection, and thus need routine checkups and the appropriate protection to help them grow up healthy. At Steele Creek Animal Hospital in Charlotte, NC, we’re invested in giving puppies and kittens a strong foundation on which to build their lives. Our veterinarians provide wellness exams, vaccinations, parasite screens, and plenty of guidance to aid pet parents in the care of their new family members.
Call us today to schedule your puppy or kitten’s first appointment.
What to Expect at Your Puppy or Kitten’s First Visit
Expect to cover a lot of ground regarding your pet’s care when you bring them in for their first checkup. Puppies and kittens each have their share of needs, and we know that for new pet parents, getting started can be a little overwhelming, we are here to help.
Kitten Care
Your kitten’s first wellness exam will generally include the following:
- A complete physical exam, including checking your pet for congenital issues and anything you might want to discuss
- A thorough discussion about their diet, including what types of food are best for your cat’s unique health needs
- Checking on erupting teeth
- Formulation of individualized vaccine protocol
- A discussion about litter box training
- Behavior counseling
- A discussion about whether or not your cat should be allowed outdoors
- Recommendations about spaying and neutering
- Answering any questions you have about pet health insurance
- Microchipping, and the best time to do this.
- A fecal exam and treatment for worms and other parasites
- Feline Leukemia Virus and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus testing
- Flea, tick, and heartworm disease prevention
Puppy Care
At your puppy’s first wellness visit, you can expect:
- A thorough physical examination where we check your pet’s vitals and physical appearance and address any concerns you have
- Discussion about your puppy’s nutrition and what type of diet they need, including how frequently and how much they should be fed
- Checking on your puppy’s erupting teeth
- A discussion about house training
- Formulation of an individualized vaccine protocol
- Behavior discussion
- Answering your questions and giving recommendations on spaying/neutering your dog
- A discussion about pet health insurance
- Advising on heartworm, flea, and tick protection for your pet
- Microchipping, and the best time to do this.
- A fecal exam and treatment for worms and other parasites
Pet Insurance
We embrace our pets as full on family members, we make sure we are feeding them good food and shower them with toys. Would you be prepared to handle a large pet emergency bill? Health insurance for your new pet is a great way for owners to mitigate emergency pet care costs as well as routine treatments. Since pre-existing conditions are less likely in younger animals it is more cost effective to get insurance early. You may find pet-insurance-university a helpful site to aid your research. We are here to answer any questions and to help you keep your pet healthy.
Microchipping
A microchip is a permanent form of ID that keeps your pet connected to you. Collar tags can be removed or fall off, but a microchip stays with your pet for life. It is estimated that 1 in 3 pets will get lost at some point in their lives, many may not find their way home. It is important to know that a microchip is not a GPS device, it is an electronic chip the size of a grain of rice and is activated only when a scanner is passed over the area. It is a simple procedure that can be done at a routine office visit. The microchip must be registered with your current contact information in order to give you the best chance of getting your pet back home. We will provide you what you need to access the database and keep your information current. We recommend microchipping for every pet.
