Puppy & Kitten Care

Caring For Your New Puppy or Kitten

At Dwight Veterinary Clinic, we want to give your new fur baby the very best start in live with specialized services tailored to young age. We are here to ensure your new pet receives necessary and timely examinations, vaccinations, and diagnostics. During your first visit, we will discuss additional services such as spay-neuter and microchipping.

Physical Examinations

Before 8-16 weeks of age, we recommend that your puppy or kitten have 3-4 physical exams. These exams provide a baseline of health and allows your veterinarian to assess overall wellness and administer necessary vaccinations.

Vaccinations

Puppies and kittens have immature immune systems, making them more vulnerable to illness and disease. Vaccinations are administered in a carefully staged series. Each puppy and kitten is different, therefore our recommendations are tailored to lifestyle and breed.

Diagnostics

At 6-12 months of age, puppies should be tested for heartworm. During a kitten’s first visit, we recommend Feline Leukemia and Feline AIDS testing if not previously done.

Spay/Neuter Procedure

Spay-neuter is a minor and safe procedure that benefits both you and your pet. At Dwight Veterinary Clinic, we believe each animal is an individual deserving of a unique, clinical decision. We consider factors such as age, size, breed, and lifestyle.

This procedure promotes a longer and healthier life. Meanwhile, you will experience far less challenges associated with natural sexual instinct, unwanted pregnancy, and heat periods. The veterinarians at Skinner Animal Clinic are experts in spay-neuter procedure and ensure a safe and comfortable procedure from beginning to end.

Spaying: surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus

• Prevents unwanted pregnancies
• Eliminates messy, problematic bleeding and heat cycles
• Decreases the urge to roam
• Eliminates mammary problems and uterine complications such as cancer, pyometra, and infection.
• Decreases aggressive behaviors
• Spaying lessens mood changes
• Better companion for you and your family

Neutering: surgical removal of the testicles

• Decreases aggressive behaviors
• Avoids issues such as testicular cancer and an enlarged prostate, which can be fatal and uncomfortable
• Decreases the urge to roam
• Encourages longevity
• Better companion for you and your family

Microchipping

Accidents happen. If you and your companion are ever separated, microchips provide lifelong identification. Therefore, if your pet is found, you have a greater chance of being reunited! While collars and ID tags are strongly recommended, they are not foolproof. These forms of identification commonly fall off, get lost, or removed. For the safety of your pet, we recommend using both forms of identification.

This process is fast, painless, inexpensive—and invaluable! The microchip is implanted between the shoulder blades, much like a vaccination. This process is so simple it is often performed at the same time as vaccinations or a procedure.