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		FVRCP
	Parvovirus		FeLV
	Rabies		Rabies
	Bortetella
	Lyme Disease

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 also prevent cancers, uterine infections, decreases aggression 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
Typical costs for a new puppy.

Essential Care
Take charge of your pet’s well-being and learn about his most essential needs.

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 Pet WellCare Premier Protection provides annual reimbursements for specified routine care. No deductible or co-pay is applied to the WellCare coverage.