Taking Care of Your New Pet
Congratulations on your new puppy or kitten! Welcoming a new puppy or kitten into your home is an exciting time. Jupiter Veterinary Hospital & Urgent Care is here to support you through every step of your pet’s early development. With regular preventative care, we can help your new companion grow into a healthy, happy adult. From their first exam to vaccinations, microchipping, and more, we will guide you through the essential healthcare steps for your new pet.
The First Vet Visit with Your Puppy or Kitten
It’s important to bring your new puppy or kitten in for their first veterinary visit as soon as possible after bringing them home. At your first visit we will discuss the overall wellness of your pet. This initial appointment allows us to perform a thorough examination to check for any potential health concerns.
During this visit, we will also discuss key aspects of your pet’s health and development, including:
- Deworming & Parasite Prevention
- Microchipping
- Nutrition Guidance
- Training & Socializing Advice
We want you to feel prepared by knowing what to expect from a growing puppy or kitten. Our doctors and staff are here to answer any questions you may have regarding breed predisposition, diet, behavior, house training, socialization, preventative care, and pet insurance as your puppy or kitten grows to adulthood.
Puppy and Kitten Vaccine Schedules
Vaccinations build a strong immune system in puppies and kittens. We recommend starting vaccines around 8 weeks of age, with booster shots over the following months for full protection. Kitten and puppy vaccines protect your pet from several dangerous diseases, some of which can be life-threatening, which is why it is important to start them on a vaccination schedule as soon as possible. Puppy vaccines will protect against Rabies, Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza, Adenovirus, Leptospirosis, and Bordetella. Kitten vaccinations protect your feline from Rabies, Feline Infectious Enteritis (FIE), Feline Panleukopenia, Feline Calicivirus (FCV), Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR), and Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV). We will come up with a vaccine protocol based on your individual pet’s needs and formulate a plan for vaccine boosters for the following months.
Pet Microchipping: A Lifelong Safety Measure
Microchipping your new puppy or kitten is one of the most important steps you can take to protect them in case they ever get lost. Jupiter Veterinary Hospital & Urgent Care offers the HomeAgain Microchip, a safe and effective identification method that can help reunite you with your pet if they are ever missing. The microchip, which is the size of a grain of rice, is implanted just beneath the skin between your pet’s shoulders. It is a quick procedure leading to permanent identification for your pet. Should your pet get lost, any veterinary clinic, animal shelter, or rescue can scan the chip to identify your pet and contact you.
HomeAgain has an annual membership that includes free access to the ASPCA 24-hour emergency hotline for assistance with pet poisons or toxins. Microchipping is an essential safety measure for every puppy and kitten so they can always find their way back to you.
Kitten and Puppy Veterinarian in Jupiter, FL
At Jupiter Veterinary Hospital & Urgent Care, we want to help your new puppy or kitten get the best start in life with expert veterinary care and guidance. Our hospital is open seven days a week, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate your schedule. We welcome same-day appointments and walk-ins—simply give us a call to schedule. We also provide urgent care if your puppy or kitten is ever sick or injured. We look forward to seeing your new pet grow!
Here’s What Our Clients Are Saying
“[In the] first visit with my new puppy, the doctor spent plenty of time with us and discussed a lot of info on diet and training. Very pleased with the office staff as well.” – Lawrence
Jupiter Veterinary Hospital & Urgent Care provides comprehensive veterinary care for puppies and kittens in Jupiter, West Palm Beach, Jensen Beach, Port St. Lucie, Palm City, Stuart, Hobe, Sound, Tequesta, Palm Beach Gardens, Juno Beach, North Palm Beach, Lake Park, Riviera Beach, Loxahatchee, Royal Palm Beach, Palm Beach, West Gate, Palm Springs, Wellington, Greenacres, Haverhill, Lake Worth, and neighboring Florida communities.
