When do my new puppy and kitten need their first shots?

Vaccinations for healthy, normal puppies and kittens should begin as soon as they are weaned.

When should we spay or neuter our new pet?

Pets can be neutered as young as 8 weeks old.  We recommend scheduling the spay or neuter after finishing their vaccination series..  It is best to spay females prior to their first heat cycle.

How old must my kitten  be to be declawed?

Declawing is not a mandatory procedure.  This procedure is recommended for kittens that are not responding to behavioral training.  This is typically performed after 3 months of age.

My dog has a warm nose, does that mean he's sick?

Not necessarily.  The temperature of the nose tends to be a poor indicator of the overall body temperature.

Do dogs and cats get colds?

Dogs and cats are susceptible to similar upper respiratory tract infections that we would call colds.  Unfortunately, since they cannot tell us the severity of their condition, it is advisable to have them examined by a veterinarian.

How do  the flea and tick products differ?

The three major veterinary flea products are Advantage, Frontline, and Program.   These products differ in their mode of action, application, and duration.   Program is a tablet or injection that works systemically by sterilizing the fleas after they bite your pet and lasts for approximately one month. Advantage is a topical medication that kills fleas/larva and lasts for also lasts for approximately one month.   Frontline is also a topical medication that kills fleas on contact and lasts for 3 months on dogs and one month on cats.  Frontline also kills ticks on contact for up to one month.

When should I start tick prevention?

Typically, we recommend starting tick protection at the beginning of the season.  Here, in Minnesota, that is around May.

When should I start flea prevention?

The same as the tick prevention between May and June in Minnesota.

When should I start heartworm prevention?

Heartworm prevention should be used from June 1 through November 1.  It should be used year round if traveling to warmer climates.

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