Puppy & Kitten Care in Cleveland, TN

Obviously, the best time to learn about your new pet is during your puppy or kitten examinations. These exams are conducted every 3 to 4 weeks and are necessary because your pet is changing and growing at a rapid rate. We will examine them from head to tail, inside and out, looking for problems they were born with and those that may have appeared. The skin, teeth, eyes, bones and muscles, hearts and lungs, and abdominal organs will be examined. We’ll talk about behavior, nutrition, parasite management, immunizations, the optimal age to spay or neuter, common diseases to watch out for, and what to do if they become sick. We’ll give them the vaccines they need based on their age and deworm them.

Many diseases that might afflict dogs and cats can be avoided with regular pet vaccines. We’ll make sure your pet is up-to-date on vaccines and put them on a regimen to ensure they stay up-to-date from the first visit to Creekside Veterinary Hospital.

Our Cleveland veterinarian will explain the best course of action for your pet’s immunization regimen based on his or her age, medical history, lifestyle, and environment. You can bring your cat or dog in for their first round of vaccinations as early as eight weeks old.

After your pet has the initial vaccines, you’ll need to bring them in every few weeks for boosters for roughly three months. After your pet has completed the initial vaccine series, they will need booster shots every 1 to 3 years, depending on the vaccine and your pet’s lifestyle.

It’s easy to keep your pet protected from parasites such as fleas, ticks, and heartworm, and we’re here to assist you. Why is parasite prevention important? Please contact us to ensure that your pet is safe from these parasites.

Fleas are tiny, leaping insects that feed on animals’ blood. They can spread hazardous infections to pets and frequently induce allergic dermatitis, which causes extreme itching.

Ticks are external parasites that feed on animals’ body fluids. They may transport infections from one animal to the next and are the primary cause of Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis/anaplasmosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Heartworm is a parasite that can dwell in dogs’ and cats’ hearts. Mosquitoes spread the worm from an infected animal to other animals. Several hundred worms can dwell in a dog’s heart, and parasite infection can cause considerable damage and even death.

Let’s get your pet on preventative treatment for these parasites right now if they aren’t already.

Because young pets grow and change at an incredible rate, frequent visits allow our veterinarians to monitor their development closely. These appointments are about much more than just “shots”—they allow us to perform head-to-tail exams for congenital issues, administer timely boosters, and address critical behavioral topics like socialization, nipping, and scratching.

For most dogs and cats, we generally recommend spaying or neutering at six months of age. This helps prevent unwanted pregnancies and significantly reduces the risk of certain cancers and infections. However, there are exceptions based on breed and size, so our team will have an open discussion with you to determine the optimal timing for your specific pet.

Since puppies and kittens are especially vulnerable to fleas, ticks, and heartworm, we recommend starting preventative treatment as early as possible. In Tennessee, heartworm is a major concern; because it is spread by mosquitoes and can cause fatal damage, year-round prevention is essential. We will provide safe, age-appropriate deworming and preventative options during your first few visits.