Pediatrics Building a Foundation of Health for a Life-Time of Health
At Regional Veterinary Center our pediatric care focuses on puppy and kitten wellness care. The preventive medical and dental care decisions you make for your puppy and kitten have a major impact on their quality and length of life. Science, lifestyle, and budget practicality are our guides to help you make good life care decisions for your new family member.
What to Expect
First Pediatric Appointment
Our experienced veterinary team looks forward to meeting you and your new bundle of fuzzy energy at their first pediatric exam! Dr. J will examine your pet, checking especially for externally-detectable developmental concerns. Along the way, we will ask you several questions about your pet's planned lifestyle, which helps us determine the wellness care options your pet does, and does not, need.
After we evaluate prior care (including deworming and vaccination), we will recommend simple, logical, step-by-step pediatric care for your pet. No sales pitch, no up-sell, no packages, no subscriptions, no over-vaccination: We save you money by providing you options and recommending only what your pet needs!
Subsequent Pediatric Appointments
Most pediatric patient's wellness care—vaccines, deworming, teaching home dental care, and a post-treatment parasite test—can be completed in a total of 2–3 visits. If your pet isn't already spayed/neutered, then we will recommend the best age—based on biological factors—when that should be scheduled.
Spaying or Neutering Your Puppy or Kitten
Spaying and neutering should be done when most biologically appropriate for your pet's individual situation. Most pets should be spayed/neutered between 5–6 months of age (but there are exceptions). For large and giant breed dogs, Dr. J will discuss the pros and cons of spaying at 14 months of age with you.
Some of the benefits of spaying or neutering your pet include:
- Pets spayed/neutered before 7 months of age are typically better behaved and less likely to run away
- Pets spayed/neutered before 7 months of age cannot add to pet overpopulation
- Pets spayed/neutered before 7 months of age have dramatically lower risk of reproductive cancers
- Pets that are spayed cannot develop uterine or ovarian cancer
- Pets that are spayed cannot develop a life-threatening pyometra uterine infection
- Pets that are neutered have a greatly reduced risk of life-threatening prostate infection and/or prostate cancer.
- Pets that are spayed/neutered are less likely to exhibit humping, urine marking, and/or aggression
We look forward to meeting your new furry family member. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for your puppy or kitten.