A Clean Bill of Health
As cute as they may be, new pets can easily become ill. There’s a solution: vaccinations, which have saved millions of lives. Young pets are susceptible to everything from parvo and rabies to a common bacteria causing excessive coughing, otherwise known as kennel cough. Routine vaccinations are typically given every 3 to 4 weeks until 16 weeks of age, in puppies and kittens. Adult pets follow an annual vaccination schedule.
Vaccination Checklist
Always consult with your veterinarian to determine your pet’s vaccination schedule.
|
Dogs |
Cats |
- DHL-P
- Parvovirus
- Rabies
- Bordetella
- Lyme Disease
|
- FVRCP
- FeLV
- Rabies
- Bordetella
|
Worms, Ticks and Fleas, Oh My!
This topic ought to bug you. Most puppies and kittens have worms, which can be easily passed to people. Be proactive: bring a stool sample to your first veterinary appointment for a fecal test and avoid the costly necessity to treat the problem after the fact. Also, be prepared to ask about heartworm, flea and tick control for the region in which you live.
It’s A Fix!
Unless you’re planning on breeding your pet, spaying or neutering offers not only the benefits of birth control, it can decrease aggression and can also prevent cancers, uterine infections and in cats, wandering. Consult with your veterinarian about the best time to schedule this procedure.
Sitting Pretty
Grooming our pets is as much for our benefit as it is for theirs. Sure, they look cute, but a good bath, haircut, nail trimming and a swipe of the ears makes for a healthy pet. Regular grooming is a terrific time to check your pet for changes in skin condition, unusual lumps under the fur, broken toe nails and waxy ear buildup, which can lead to an ear infection. Most pets can be conditioned to enjoy regular pampering if they start at a young age. Ask your veterinarian which variety of shampoos, brushes and nail trimmers are best suited for your pet.
Further Reading:
A Newcomer's Tail
Want to know how much typical veterinary healthcare can cost for a new puppy? See how much it cost for Layla, an eight-month-old puppy in New York, to visit her vet.
What to Know As a First-Time Pet Owner
Take charge of your pet's well-being and learn how his most essential needs -- eating, playing and staying healthy -- are crucial for his quality of life.
Feeding Fido
Studies show between 25 and 40% of household pets are overweight or obese, leading to obesity-related pet illnesses and increased veterinary costs.
Playing it Safe
Never leave cats alone with string toys; accidental ingestion is life-threatening and often requires expensive surgical procedures.
Learn more about VPI Pet Insurance:
Dog insurance, Cat insurance, What’s covered, Get a quote
*Veterinary fees vary state to state, per your veterinarian’s discretion.
** VPI’s CareGuardSM Premier rider provides annual reimbursements for specified routine care. No deductible or co-pay is applied to the CareGuard coverage.
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