SUFFOLK, Va., March 3, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Puppies and kittens can benefit from proactive wellness care, says the veterinary team at North Suffolk Animal Clinic. These services give puppies and kittens a head start on a healthy life. The clinic recommends the puppy/kitten vaccination series, as well as parasite prevention, spaying/neutering and microchipping. Pet owners may save money on these services by enrolling their pets in the 3-visit or 4-visit puppy and kitten wellness program.
From parasite prevention to vaccinations, the veterinary care team at North Suffolk Animal Clinic is working to educate pet owners about the importance of puppy and kitten wellness care. The animal clinic offers a 3-visit and 4-visit wellness program for young pets.
"Our kitten and puppy wellness plans give young animals a healthy head start," said clinic's Suffolk veterinarian. "Most importantly, these plans also keep critical wellness care services affordable for all pet owners."
The puppy/kitten wellness plans include the puppy/kitten vaccination series, parasite prevention, spay/neuter and microchipping.
Vaccinations are very important for young animals. Because their immune systems are still developing, young animal are susceptible to highly contagious and deadly illnesses, including distemper, parvo and rabies. Vaccinations are the best way to protect pets from these illnesses.
Young animals should be vaccinated between 8-10 weeks of age, and again every 3 to 4 weeks after until the animal reaches 18 to 20 weeks of age. The clinic's veterinarian will determine the specific vaccination schedule during the first wellness visit. This schedule can change based on the puppy or kitten's age at the time of the first appointment.
"The puppy/kitten shot series is critically important for all young animals," says the veterinary clinic. "We recognize that completing the full shot series can be expensive. That's why we include these shots as part of our kitten/puppy wellness plans."
For puppies, the core vaccination series include DAP (Distemper, Adenovirus, & Parainfluenza), Intranasal Parainfluenza/Bordetella, K9 Influenza vaccine, Leptospirosis and Rabies. For kittens, the core vaccinations are FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia), FeLV (Feline Leukemia), and Rabies.
The clinic also counsels pet owners on the importance of parasite prevention. Animals are dewormed during the first visit. Monthly heartworm prevention can begin in dogs between the ages of 10 to 12 weeks. Flea and tick prevention is also important.
Puppies and kittens should be spayed or neutered between four and seven months. Spaying and neutering operations are included in the clinic's wellness plans. During the procedure, the veterinarian will also implant a microchip. Spaying and neutering animals at a young age offers the greatest veterinary health benefits.
North Suffolk Animal Clinic has been providing pet care services to the Portsmouth, Newport News, Hampton Roads, Tidewater, Norfolk since 1998. In addition to pet wellness care, veterinary services include pet surgery and emergency/urgent care during regular clinic hours.