PORTSMOUTH, Va., March 24, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Churchland Animal Clinic in Portsmouth is addressing affordable veterinary care with kitten and puppy wellness plans. These pet wellness plans include vaccinations, parasite screening/deworming, spay/neuter and microchip identification. Pet owners pay a flat fee for each visit; the plans are designed to make caring for new pets more affordable. According to the animal clinic, puppy and kitten wellness care is essential to giving young animals a healthy head start.
Pet owners who have recently welcomed a new puppy or kitten into their lives may benefit from the puppy and kitten wellness plans now available through Churchland Animal Clinic.
"Veterinary wellness care is of course essential for puppies and kittens," said the vet clinic. "Young animals need vaccination protection against deadly viruses, as well as proactive care to prevent heartworms and other parasites. Pets are also at risk for developing cancer and other health problems later in life if they are not spayed or neutered at a young age. Our kitten and puppy wellness plans are an easy way to be sure young animals receive these critical services."
Depending on a puppy or kitten's age at the time of enrollment, pet owners may choose between a three-visit or four-visit pet wellness plan. In general, the animal hospital says young pets aged six to eight weeks are best served by the four visit plan, while pets aged nine to twelve weeks are best served by the three visit plan. All plans offer the same services; however, they are spaced out differently depending on a pet's age at enrollment.
"The puppy and kitten wellness plans allow pet owners to pay a discounted rate for critical pet care services," according to the vet clinic. "The plans are designed to make this care affordable and accessible to all pet owners."
The Portsmouth animal clinic does not charge an enrollment fee for the plans. Pet owners may cancel at any time without penalty; additional pet care will be billed on a per-cost basis, rather than the plan's flat fee.
The animal clinic is educating owners about the importance of these wellness plans for preventative care. For example, young puppies require two fecal checks to test for intestinal parasites, as well as two deworming procedures to protect against hookworms and roundworms.
The clinic is also encouraging pet owners to take advantage of the wellness plans because they make spay and neuter surgery more affordable.
"Spaying or neutering pets should be done before six months of age, whenever possible," said the animal clinic. "When these procedures are performed at an early age, they offer maximum protection against diseases later in life, such as breast cancer in females." Additionally, all pets are microchipped when they are spayed or neutered.
In addition to kitten and puppy wellness care, the Portsmouth animal clinic offers wellness exams, pet immunizations, dental care, pet boarding, and pet surgery.