Puppy and Kitten
Hello! Staten Island Veterinary Group welcome you as a new client.
Staten Island Veterinary Group has been open since 1990. We are a modern, fully equipped facility with state of the art equipment and a well trained staff. We are open 7 days a week by appointment.
We are aware that questions regarding your puppy or kitten often arise. Please remember that we are only a phone call away, so you can feel free to call anytime during our office hours and our knowledgeable, courteous staff will be glad to answer your questions.
Enclosed is some valuable information about your new puppy or kitten. Please read it carefully for it will help you to understand some of the many aspects of owning a puppy or kitten. Again, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask!!
VACCINATIONS
Just like a human baby, puppy or kitten is vaccinated with a series of injections 3-4 weeks apart to strengthen their immune systems. These vaccines are against Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus in puppies and Rhinotracheitis, Panleukopenia, and Calici Virus in kittens, all of which are very common in our area. The vaccines are given until the pets are 16 to 20 weeks of age, and until the final vaccine is given, a puppy and kitten is not fully protected against these diseases. For this reason, we strongly suggest keeping your pup indoors or away from where other dogs have been (fire hydrants, parks, telephone poles, etc.). A rabies vaccine is also given after 3 months of age. This vaccine is required by law.
Other vaccines are also available according to the needs of different dogs and cats. For example, a dog that comes into contact with ticks may be vaccinated against Lyme disease and a dog that is boarding in a kennel may be vaccinated against kennel cough. An outdoor cat may need a Feline Leukemia vaccine. Ask about these vaccines if your puppy or kitten fits into one of these categories.
PARASITES
Intestinal and stomach parasites are commonly found in young puppies/kittens. A stool sample will be checked regularly to make sure your puppy is free of these harmful invaders. If any parasites are found, a specific treatment will be prescribed to rid your pet of them. If possible, bring a stool sample on every visit.
HEARTWORM DISEASE/FLEAS AND TICKS/FELV AND FIV
Heartworm disease is one of the most harmful diseases your dog can get. It is spread by mosquitoes from dog to dog, and we all know how easy it is to get a mosquito bite! Your puppy will be put on a heartworm preventative which is a monthly medication given all year round. It is recommended that your dog be tested for this disease annually since no form of prevention is 100% effective. A test is usually done with your dog's annual vaccine. Fleas and ticks are problematic in both dogs and cats, therefore we recommend a monthly flea and tick product to begin using in early spring and ending when we get our first frost. Your kitten will be tested on its first visit for two highly contagious life threatening viruses in cats that have no cure, Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus.
FEEDING
Feeding is a very important aspect of puppy/kitten care. We recommend feeding 3 times a day until 6 months to a year of age (depending on the breed), and two times a day for adult dogs/cats. Dry food is preferred over canned food because it is better for their gums and teeth, and it is easier and more economical for the owner. The professional blends such as IAMS, Science Diet, Royal Canin and Eukanuba are best. Initially, it may be necessary to add warm water to soften the food for a small puppy. The food should be left out for 20 minutes and what is uneaten should be removed and given at the next meal. No people food, meat bones, rawhides or milk should be given to puppies/kittens or adult dogs/cats ever. Fresh water should be available at all times.
BATHING
It is okay to bathe a healthy puppy with any quality hypoallergenic shampoo. It is very important to make sure that all of the shampoo is rinsed off your puppy or dog because remaining soap can cause an allergic reaction. A drop of mineral oil or eye lube should be placed in each eye before the bath to prevent the soap from getting in them and burning; cotton balls should be placed in the ears to prevent ear infections. After bathing, the puppy must be kept warm until he is thoroughly dry. A blow dryer can be used to speed the drying process but only use a low setting and keep it at a distance from your puppy's skin to avoid burns. Most cats do not require bathing.
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We at Staten Island Veterinary Group are here to help. If you have any questions please feel free to call.