What to Expect When You’re Expecting…a Fur Baby!

What to Expect When You’re Expecting…a Fur Baby!

               The excitement of bringing home a new puppy is unrivaled to most, but there can be a lot of uncertainty and questions for new pet parents or if it has been awhile since a new four legged fur baby has been in your home!

               Puppies and kittens make frequent veterinary trips in the first few months of their life to ensure lifelong health. Booster shots, food nutrition, learning about safety precautions and training are all things that new pet owners should understand, and talking to your veterinarian is the best place to start.

               It can be scary for your new fur baby their first few nights at home, and in order to make them feel safe it is important to give them their own space in a quiet, warm area to relax. It is also important to get them in for their first exam within the first week of adoption. We will break down the different core vaccines for both puppies and kittens as well as other simple treatments to guarantee pet health.

Puppies:

• Bordetella
•  Bordetella bronchiseptica is the most common bacterial agent responsible for kennel cough in dogs.  This vaccine is required for boarding but is highly recommended for all dogs.  This vaccine is given one time after 8 weeks of age and some clinics will booster it 3 weeks later.
• Distemper (DHPP)
• This vaccine integrates multiple defenses against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and parainfluenza. Vaccine is a series of 3 boosters, each given 3-4 weeks apart.
• Leptospirosis
• Lepto is bacteria that is spread through stagnant water where small rodents, wildlife will live and urinate. This can be lethal to dogs and should be given especially when living in cities or by  forestry preserves. This vaccine is a series of 2 boosters, given 3-4 weeks apart.
• Rabies
• This vaccine is mandated by law! This is a one-time vaccine that is given is on or after your pet is 16 weeks old and is good for 1 year.
• Influenza
• Yes, dogs can get the flu like humans. Although this is not considered a “core” vaccine it is better to be safe than sorry if your pets daycare, boarding facility, groomer (etc) were to have a flu outbreak. Vaccine is a series of 2 boosters, given 3-4 weeks apart.
• Lyme
• The prevalence of ticks in the United States is increasing at an alarming rate. In addition to flea/tick preventatives, this vaccine is an extra defense mechanism. And yes, it should be given even if you live in a city. Ticks can travel from wooded areas to alley ways on the bodies of little critters! Vaccine is a series of 2 boosters, given 3-4 weeks apart.
• Fecal Test
• This is done once a year to check if your puppy has any intestinal parasites. But before you get nervous, they are very common and easily treated! It is best to get this done once a year, or if you notice your pet having loose stool.
• Heartworm Test
• This is a simple blood test done to check if your puppy has been exposed to heartworm. If positive, you and your vet will talk about treatments for your pet. If negative, ask your vet about heartworm preventatives that might fit your pet and lifestyle the best.

 Kittens:

• FVRCP
• This vaccine protects against the 5 most common cat viruses that they can be exposed to. Vaccine is boostered 3 times, each given 3-4 weeks apart.
• FELV
• Protects against feline leukemia. Vaccine is boostered 2 times, 3-4 weeks apart.
• FELV/FIV Test
• This is a simple blood test that will be run on your kittens first vet visit to see if they are negative for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus.  
• Fecal Test
• This is done once a year to check if your kitten has any intestinal parasites. But before you get nervous, they are very common and easily treated.

That was a lot of information, but once these boosters are done your pet should only have to come in for their annual exam and annual vaccines! It is important to educate yourself on what your pet needs to stay healthy and keep track of when the boosters for each vaccine are due. In addition to these core vaccines, there are some preventatives for fleas and ticks as well as heartworm so that your pet is not at risk of contracting heartworm or lyme disease from infected mosquitos or a flea wrecking havoc on your pet’s skin.

It may seem like a lot for a tiny four legged animal, but if you start out your pet’s health journey on the right foot, you will have many happy years with your new pet!

Written By: Dr. Megan Moser, Companion Animal Hospital Wicker Park

Cat Introductions: Helpful Hints

When the time comes to add a cat to your feline family, planning for a proper cat introduction will help promote success.  Could you imagine if a person came into your home announcing themselves as a new roommate and sat in your favorite chair and commandeered the TV remote?  Sometimes when we bring a new cat home and let the cats “work it out”, we’re creating a similar stressful situation.  While the cats might work it out on their own, we can certainly decrease the chances of problems and make the process easier on everyone.  Here are some tips for a gradual introduction.

• At first the cats should only be allowed to smell and hear each other, not see each other.  Confine your new cat to one room of your house with its own litter box, bowls, toys, etc. Place towels with the scent of the other cat (maybe one they've slept on) underneath each cat’s food bowl and on resting places.  Rub the cat’s toys with the scent of the other cat.  The goal is to have the other cat's scent associated with good things.
• After your new cat is comfortable in her room (maybe after several hours or more likely, several days), switch places for an hour or so (confine your resident cat(s) in the room and allow the new cat out to explore the rest of the house).  Do not allow the cats to see each other in this exchange.  This will help the cats to become more familiar with each other without the stress of confrontation.
• Give favorite treats close to the door of the cat’s room (with one cat on each side of the closed door).  This helps to associate good things with the presence of the other cat.  Try slipping one end of a toy underneath the door to encourage the cats to play with each other under the door.
• Repeat the above steps until there is no hissing, growling or fleeing and all cats seem curious about the cat on the other side of the door.
• Next, wedge the door open about an inch with doorstops.  This allows the cats to see each other, paw if they want to, but they can get away from each other safely if they chose. 
• Then let the cats out together.  When they are first out together, keep the meeting short, and continue to offer food, treats, toys and petting. If any hissing or conflicts occur, distract the cats into another activity - dangle a favorite toy, offer food (use the sound of the can opener to "call" the resident cat to the kitchen), etc.
• Supervise them, not allowing them to be alone together, until they are consistently demonstrating friendly behaviors with each other for at least one week.
• Punishment is not helpful.  It doesn't create the association of "good things" with the other's presence and adds stress to a stressful situation.

As always, if you have any questions or need help with a cat introduction, please call us.

article written by:

Sheila Newenham, DVM

Companion Animal Hospital Mount Prospect