our advice : ASK DR . CATE
Vet Rap by Dr . Ryan Cate
Keeping your new friend healthy
Question : Dr . Cate , we added a new member to our family this Christmas . With a new puppy or kitten , what should we do to make sure that we give them a great healthy start ? Signed : New Mom on Newsome Road
Answer : Congratulations on adding a new family member . The holidays are hard on a new puppy or kitten , so I first suggest bringing them in to see your family veterinarian . If you got the puppy not from Santa , but from a reputable breeder , you should have received a health certificate and information about how many rounds of puppy / kitten shots your animal has already received .
One of the biggest benefits of receiving all three rounds of shots from your vet is that the immunizations are backed both by your vet and the pharmaceutical company that provided the medication . You don ’ t get the same guarantee if the shots have been purchased over the counter at a retail location , vet supply or feed store .
When you first bring your new friend in to us , you can expect a fecal sample to be taken to make sure there are no internal pests . Although the animals inherit their immunity from their mothers , they can also inherit intestinal parasites . Your vet will start them on preventative medication for fleas , ticks and intestinal parasites that will keep them pest free .
JANUARY 2017 PARKER COUNTY TODAY
Both puppies and kittens require three rounds of immunizations to help get their immune systems strong enough to fight off the most common diseases . The first ones should be given at 7-8 weeks , the second ones at 11-12 weeks with the final ones between 15-16 weeks of age . Remember that before the last round of shots your puppy or kitten is susceptible to all kinds of diseases , so you want to keep them at home until a full two weeks after the last set of shots are given . That includes trips to the dog park , other people ’ s homes and stores that welcome dogs . At the vet ’ s office , I would keep them either in a kennel or in your arms ; don ’ t even let your pet get on the floor .
Even if your puppy or kitten has received a round of vaccines , your veterinarian will continue the vaccine protocol through all three rounds of shots .
When it comes to feeding your new friend , ask for a recommendation from your vet . There are so many new dog foods out there ; some are not only size and age specific , but even breed specific . You should read up on the type of dog or cat you ’ ve added to your family and be aware of any genetic defects or abnormalities that are common .
Bringing your new dog or cat to the vet has many benefits . We know what a normal animal looks like . We will do a full exam and tell you things you should or shouldn ’ t do , and we use vaccines that the pharmaceutical companies will stand behind . Trust your vet to help you keep your new family member healthy from the start .
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