Your puppy or kitten's first year of life is critical to their overall health. Our Ambler vets can provide advice, guidance and high-quality veterinary care during this important time.
It's an exciting day when your new puppy or kitten enters your life - and your home - for the first time! Your cute, cuddly new family member probably brings a smile to anyone who interacts with them.
That said, new pet parents also need to take care of some serious health business during a new pet's first year.
Your vet can create a custom care plan geared to your pet's unique needs during their first year, and provide you with plenty of guidance and support along the way!
Ideally, puppies should have their first veterinary appointment when they are about 6 weeks old, and kittens around 8 weeks old.
During this first visit, the vet will perform a complete physical examination to assess your pet's overall health, check for external parasites and look for any signs of congenital defects.
They will also receive deworming medications for hookworms and roundworms, and their first round of puppy or kitten vaccinations from the veterinarian.
More About Vaccines & Prevention
Finally, for kittens, we will conduct a blood test to check for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus.
Between the ages of 6 and 16 weeks, puppies and kittens should attend 3 to 4 veterinary appointments. These visits allow our vets to assess your pet's overall health and to administer vaccines on schedule.
While you have a new friend who will bring you years of joy and memories, a new puppy or kitten also comes with many new responsibilities.
To help guide you through your puppy or kitten's first year, the team at our animal hospital will provide plenty of guidance, support, and helpful information.
Our Kitten Packages and Puppy Packages contain everything you'll need to know about your pet’s early development, including:
Our vets look forward to answering any questions you may have, and putting any concerns to rest. We want to ensure that you and your puppy or kitten have everything you need to begin a wonderful life together!