Puppy/Kitten Care

HELP YOUR NEW ADDITION PUT HIS/HER “BEST PAW FORWARD”

Congratulations on the addition of your new family member! At Choice Veterinary Services, we look forward to welcoming your new puppy into our family as well!

Pre-Puppy/Kitten Planning

When you pick up your puppy/kitten, remember to ask what and when he or she was fed. Replicate that schedule until your first puppy/kitten visit with us. We will discuss your puppy/kitten’s breed, anticipated lifestyle and nutritional needs with you during your first puppy/kitten visit.
Pre-puppy/kitten planning is important. It is best to purchase supplies (for example, food and water bowls, chew toys, grooming supplies, bedding, collar and leash, identification tag, crate and gates) before you bring your puppy/kitten home.

You’ll need to pet-proof the area where he or she will spend most of his or her time the first few months. Once you think you’ve completely pet-proofed, lie on the floor and look around once more to get a pet’s-eye view. If you have children, please remind them not to overwhelm the puppy/kitten the first day.

Your Puppy’s First Wellness Exam
When you bring your puppy/kitten home, please schedule an appointment for your puppy/kitten’s first wellness exam. This initial visit’s exam includes a thorough “nose-to-tail” physical evaluation, and allows us to establish an individualized preventative veterinary care program for your puppy going forward.

Your puppy’s first wellness exam includes the following beneficial components:

  • An extensive physical examination
  • A detailed discussion of the necessary vaccinations your puppy/kitten needs to begin his healthy, long life
  • Diagnostic testing for internal parasites and parasite control medication as needed.
  • Heartworm preventative
  • The familiarization of your new puppy/kitten with Choice Veterinary Service’s staff as well as the encouragement of your pet’s comfort level with veterinarian visits
  • The opportunity for us at Choice Veterinary Services is to establish a relationship with you and your new puppy/kitten, as well as fully understand your expectations as a client and a pet owner
  • A general discussion about your new puppy/kitten’s breed, age, known past medical history, home environment, behaviors, and activity level
  • The time to address all of your questions and/or concerns
  • Scheduling your puppy/kitten’s first Comprehensive exam will set the foundation for your beloved new addition’s long-term health, as well as establish a beneficial routine for future wellness visits.
  • When visiting with your new puppy/kitten for the first time, please bring the following with you:
  • Any prior health records that you received when you brought your puppy home, such as history of vaccines, deworming, neutering, past medical history, etc.
  • If you any questions about your puppy, please give us a call.

Adult Care

Comprehensive exams keep your dog/cat as healthy as possible!

A regular comprehensive exam, combined with a thorough history and your observations at home, can often detect potential health problems your dog/cat may be experiencing. To assure a longer and highest quality of life for your dog/cat, bring your dog/cat to us for a comprehensive exam at least annually. The comprehensive exam is an opportunity for you to discuss any concerns you have about your dog/cat’s health. Topics ranging from nutrition, allergies, and bad breath, as well as mobility issues, risk of infections and any lifestyle and age related changes, are all important for your dog/cat’s health. At Choice Veterinary Services, all aspects of your pet’s medical and wellness heath are encouraged discussions!

Comprehensive exams at Choice Veterinary Services are structured around the following critical elements:

  • A complete physical examination that includes dental and body/muscle assessment, as well as an evaluation of your pet’s coat, skin, eyes and ears, nose and throat, heart and lungs, legs and paws, abdomen and gastrointestinal system, and urogenital system
  • Vaccines tailored specifically for your dog/cat
  • Internal parasite prevention
  • Flea and tick prevention
  • Heartworm Prevention
  • Dental exam and preventative dental cleanings
  • Nutrition and diet

Vaccines

Vaccines have proven important in preventing serious disease in dogs and cats. We design a personalized vaccine protocol for each dog/cat, maximizing protection against the diseases your pet is likely to be exposed to while using the fewest vaccines possible. Our current vaccine recommendations are based on up-to-date research and the incidence of disease in our area. During your pet’s exam we’ll ask you questions to assess your pet’s individual risk, based on his/her lifestyle, and then design a customized vaccine protocol. This can be modified as needed when that lifestyle changes, so be sure to let us know so we can keep your pet protected!

Pure Vaccinations

At Choice Veterinary Services we offer pure-vax for our feline patients. These vaccinations have low risk for reaction , inflammation and vaccine associated sarcoma. Please call for an appointment for details.

Internal Parasite Prevention and Control

Dogs are susceptible to a number of internal parasitic infections, several of which are able to infect people in addition to animals. Therefore, parasite prevention is not only important for the health of your pet, but also for the health of your family.

Fleas and Ticks

Fleas and ticks are troublesome parasites of the skin. Flea and tick prevention is important because these pests not only cause problems with the skin, but they also possess the ability to transmit a number of diseases to the dog. Fortunately, there are many safe and highly effective products available at Choice Veterinary Services that will treat and prevent flea and tick infestations. Regular use of one of these products will effectively prevent fleas and ticks from becoming a problem for your pet!

Heartworm

Heartworm is a worm that resides in the heart and lungs of infected dogs. It is transmitted by mosquitoes that transmit heartworm larva from dog to dog when bitten. These larva then develop into adult worms that over time cause heart disease and respiratory problems in dogs. Fortunately, this is a preventable disease, and there are a number of excellent monthly heartworm preventatives available at Choice Veterinary Services . These products, when administered year-round, provide outstanding protection against heartworm disease.

Senior Care

We aim to help your pet grow into his/her senior years, both gracefully and healthfully!

At Choice Veterinary Services, we believe that caring for your aging dog/cat requires more than simply treating problems as they arise. The best way to help your dog/cat grow into his senior years healthfully is by emphasizing your dog/cat’s wellness throughout his/her life with a comprehensive wellness health care plan, and a senior wellness health care plan when your dog/cat reaches about the age of 7.

As your pet ages, natural changes occur. We encourage our clients to take an active role in combating ailments associated with the aging process.

You may notice changes in your dog/cat that should be addressed:

  • Your dog/cat has weight loss or weight gain
  • Your dog/cat is less active, has difficulty getting up, has difficulty climbing stairs or is generally less active
  • You notice a change in your dog/cat’s energy level, awareness and/or family interaction
  • Your dog/cat experiences change in sleep patterns; sleeps more during the day or is more restless at night
  • New lumps and bumps appear on your dog/cat
  • You notice an occasional cough or periods of rapid or difficult breathing
  • You believe your dog/cat’s eyesight or hearing has changed
  • Increased water consumption, urination or accidents in the house
  • Your dog/cat’s breath makes you hold yours!

Discussing these health changes with us will help the staff at Choice Veterinary Services design an individualized senior wellness care plan for your pet. Senior wellness exams are recommended semi-annually for aging dogs/cats because they help our staff detect, diagnose and treat any medical conditions before they progress into serious problems and negatively affect your dog/cat’s quality of life.

A senior wellness exam at Choice Veterinary Services focuses on:

  • An in-depth senior wellness exam, including a dental evaluation.
  • Comprehensive diagnostic testing that may include a senior blood profile analysis (blood count and blood chemistry panel), urine and fecal analysis, x-ray work, parasite testing, and blood and eye pressure testing
  • Vaccinations, parasite protection, heartworm testing and prevention
  • Nutrition and diet counseling
  • Behavioral evaluation and counseling

We want to help you in providing your aging dog/cat with the best and most comprehensive senior veterinary care so that he/she experiences the healthiest and happiest quality of life in his/her “golden years”!