Are you expecting (a new fur baby)?

Welcoming a new puppy or kitten into your home is exciting. Something that many people don't realize is that puppies and kittens are much like human babies in that they need to see the doctor a lot in their first year of life! We want to give you a look at what kind of vaccines, surgeries, and other veterinary visits you'll need to make for your new friend to ensure they're the healthiest and happiest they can be.

What to expect for your new puppy (each visit will require an office visit fee):*

- First Visit (6-8 Weeks Old): 1st Puppy Distemper Vaccine, 1st Deworming, Fecal Floatation/Giardia Test.

It's important to bring a fecal sample in for this first visit! This can be collected in a normal baggie, we'll take care of the rest.

- Second Visit (3-4 Weeks After First Visit): 2nd Puppy Distemper Booster, 1st Lyme Vaccine, 2nd Deworming, 1st Canine Influenza Vaccine, start on Heartworm and Flea/Tick prevention.

We do not recommend relying on over-the-counter products, such as any permethrin-based shampoos or topical solutions, as these do not have a veterinarian backing and are not guaranteed to prevent fleas/ticks and heartworm.

- Third Visit (3-4 weeks after Second Visit, with your puppy being at least 12 weeks old): 3rd Puppy Distemper Booster Vaccine, 2nd Lyme Vaccine, 2nd Canine Influenza Vaccine, Bordetella Vaccine

- Fourth Visit (3-4 weeks after Third Visit, with your puppy being at least 16 weeks old): 1st Rabies Vaccine, 4th Puppy Distemper Booster Vaccine, Bordetella Vaccine (if it has not been done previously.)

- When your puppy is 6-8 months old: Spay/Neuter, Microchip

If you have a larger dog, we recommend Spay/Neuter at 12-14 months.

- When your puppy is 1 year old: Annual Wellness Exam, Annual Vaccines, HEAL (Heartworm/Lyme/Ehrlichia/Anaplasma) Test, Fecal Floatation/Giardia test (fecal sample needed).

What to expect for your new kitten (each visit will require an office visit fee):*

- First Visit (6-8 Weeks Old): 1st Kitten FVRCP Booster Vaccine, Deworming, Feline Leukemia/FIV Testing, 1st Leukemia Booster Vaccine, Fecal Floatation/Giardia Test.

It's important to bring a fecal sample in for this first visit! This can be collected in a normal baggie, we'll take care of the rest.

- Second Visit (3-4 Weeks After First Visit): 2nd Kitten FVRCP Booster Vaccine , 2nd Leukemia Booster Vaccine, start on Monthly Flea and Tick treatment.

We do not recommend relying on over-the-counter products, such as any permethrin-based shampoos or topical solutions, as these do not have a veterinarian backing and are not guaranteed to prevent fleas and ticks.

- Third Visit (3-4 Weeks after Second Visit, with your kitten being at least 12 weeks old): Rabies Vaccination, 2nd Kitten FVRCP Booster Vaccine.

- When your kitten is 4-6 months old: Spay/Neuter, Microchip

- When your kitten is 1 year old: Annual Wellness Exam, Annual Vaccines, Fecal Floatation/Giardia Test (fecal sample needed).

*With the above guides taken into account and barring any sort of emergencies or health complications, a new puppy's first year vet visits averages a cost of about $1700, and a new kitten's first year vet visits averages a cost of about $1300. *