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Your puppy's first visit to the vet will probably be more than just a quick hello. Get all the details from Veterinarian Dr. Katy Nelson as she talks about important details like how to properly bring your puppy into the vet's office and vaccinations he needs.
Your puppy's first veterinary checkup is about much more than simply greeting your dog's new vet, weighing in, and getting him his standard immunizations. Believe it or not, your first visit is just as much about educating yourself and answering your questions as it is about checking the health of your newest family member. Your first vet visit requires organization, preparation, and sometimes even some light note taking. Hi, I'm Dr. Katy Nelson with IAMS, and today we're talking about how to take your new puppy to his first veterinary appointment. Let's begin with what you'll need to bring to your first visit. First, you should find out what the breeder or shelter has already done for your puppy. They've probably given them some vaccinations. He probably has also been placed on a deworming schedule, and may even be on a heartworm preventative. And depending upon his breed, the tail may have been docked and the dewclaws removed. Your veterinarian will need all of this information, along with the puppy's approximate birth date. So it's important to bring all of your paperwork with you to your first veterinarian visit, so they can help you determine a schedule for completing immunizations, and determine when it's best to schedule spaying and neutering. Next you should bring a fresh stool sample to your first visit, so the veterinarian can check for parasites. Lastly, prepare a list of questions. After having your puppy home for a few days, there's no better time to ask questions than at your first visit with a medical professional. Ask other family members, too, if they have any questions that they'd like added to your list. Once you're prepared, bring your puppy's crate to the car, and do your best to secure it with available seat belts. Depending on the size and weight of the crate and the puppy, it's usually easier to secure the crate first, and then put your puppy inside. If you cannot fit a crate in your car, try purchasing a dog seat belt that is specifically designed to restrain and protect your puppy in case of an accident. This next piece of information is critical. Carry your puppy into the doctor's office. Do not let him interact with any other animals in the office. Though the other animals may be perfectly healthy themselves, your puppy can still get very sick from even just rubbing noses with another dog until his vaccinations and immunity against disease is further developed. After greeting you and your new pup, your vet will likely begin examining your pup as she continues to converse and answer your questions. She'll check your puppy's weight, temperature, heart, lungs, ears, genitals, eyes, nose, skin, anal region, mouth, and gums for both basic and breed abnormalities. Your puppy needs to learn to be comfortable being handled by others. Remaining calm and peaceful in the new environment with the vet or any other stranger will allow your puppy to do the same. Depending on the status of your puppy's records and stool exam, your puppy will also begin the deworming process, receive the following initial vaccines: rabies, distemper, and Bordatella. If your puppy's exposed to other dogs in boarding, public dog parks, training, and other situations, then based on geography and lifestyle, ask your veterinarian which vaccines they recommend for your puppy. Also, ask your vet about microchipping, and when it is safe to begin socializing and training your pup. Following the initial visit, your veterinarian will ask that you return to booster the vaccines until your puppy reaches a certain age. The time between boosters typically ranges between two and four weeks. Here are some signs that your puppy needs immediate medical care: allergic reactions or swelling around the face, hives-- this is most easily seen on the belly or face-- any eye injuries, any respiratory problems, any signs of pain-- panting, labored breathing, increased body temperature, lethargy, restlessness, or loss of appetite-- any suspected poisoning, any open wound, a seizure, fainting, or collapse, snake bites, thermal stress-- either too hot or too cold-- trauma, like if he's hit by a car, even if he seems fine, vomiting or diarrhea more than two or three times within an hour. I'm Dr. Katy Nelson with IAMS, and I hope that you found this helpful as you welcome your new addition to the family.
Good nutrition is key to a long and healthy life for all living beings. That being said, cats need a balanced diet to be able to grow, maintain their body, stay active, and fight any illnesses or recover from them. As a pet parent, you must be aware of the right ingredients to include in your cat’s diet.
Cats are carnivores and they need nutrients that are found only in animal products. Cats were originally hunters and would feed on their prey to derive high amounts of protein, moderate amounts of fats, and some carbohydrates to maintain a nutritional diet. Today, most cats that are domesticated do not need to hunt but still require their food to contain the right proportions of nutrients to be able to live a healthy life. Apart from that, cats also need nutrients such as minerals, vitamins, fatty acids, and amino acids.
The best diet for cats will contain all the essential nutrients in the right proportions. A variety of ingredients can help you provide the right energy sources for your cat. For example, a nutrient like calcium can be derived from ingredients like dairy products, organ tissues, bones, bone meals, meat, legume plants, and through mineral supplements. Devising a cat diet plan is all about making sure your kitty gets the right amount of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water. Keep reading to learn more about how different nutrients play a part in your cat’s well-being.
As carnivores, cats need to eat a lot more protein as compared to many other animals. Protein is also the primary source of energy in cats as it helps them maintain skin, hair, muscle, fur, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, enzymes, antibodies, hormones, and more. Cats use protein for energy and for maintaining their blood glucose levels. Its liver enzymes are continuously breaking down proteins to do so. If cats do not consume enough protein, their bodies will start breaking down their own muscles to fulfil their energy requirements.
The two main sources of protein used in cat food are plant protein and animal protein. If you are a vegetarian and a vegetarian diet appeals to you for your cat, keep in mind that this may not be the best decision for your feline’s well-being because it will not be able to meet its nutritional requirements through plant protein sources alone. Certain nutrients are only present in animal protein such as taurine, methionine, and cystine.
Animal protein in cat food is derived from chicken, turkey, lamb, beef, and fish. Different meat meals and meat by-products are also available in the market today. While many pet parents may think that these meals are not a good option, they actually act as a great source of concentrated protein.
The right amount of protein for cats depends on their age. Adult cats need a high percentage of protein as compared to dogs, humans, or many other animals. While the exact proportions may vary, adult cats need around 26% protein in their meals. Protein requirements for kittens may change according to their medical history and age. It is best to consult a veterinarian to make sure your kitten receives the right nutrition.
Vitamins are essential for your cat’s metabolic function and therefore must be included in small amounts in its diet. Many enzymes that help maintain normal feline metabolism cannot function without vitamins.
Several cat food ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, animal tissues, vegetable oils, grains, and seeds contain vitamins. It is very difficult to nail down the right amount of vitamins that your cat needs through just different foods. For this reason, vitamin supplements should be included in your cat’s diet.
If your cat is healthy and is eating a balanced and nutritious meal, additional vitamin supplements may not be necessary. In some cases, vitamin supplements can also be dangerous if your cat is already healthy and does not require them. It is best to consult a veterinarian and be sure of your cat’s health and its requirements.
Your cat’s body needs inorganic compounds, also known as minerals, to function properly. Many minerals that your cat needs are derived from animals and plant-based ingredients. However, for your cat’s food to be completely balanced, food manufacturers always add mineral protein to their food formulas.
There are a lot of minerals that should be present in your cat’s diet such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, iron, sodium, chloride, copper, zinc, manganese, iodine, and selenium. These minerals help cats maintain nerve, muscle, and heart function. They also aid in enzyme function, supplying oxygen throughout the body, skeletal growth, and much more. Your cat’s food formula will always contain some minerals. If you want to be sure about your kitten getting the right nutrition, take it to the vet and let them decide the perfect cat diet plan for your furry friend.
Crude fat is estimated by extracting fats that are present using ether and the crude fat level of every cat food formula will be listed in the guaranteed analysis section on the packaging label.
Including fats in your cat's diet is extremely important. While proteins are an important energy source for cats, fat is the most energy-rich nutrient in your cat's diet. They act as transport molecules that help carry out nerve impulses. Essential fat sources such as omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids help maintain your cat's skin, coat, and fur health.
Fats and other essential fatty acids are found in food formulas that contain liver, chicken, beef, turkey, and fish. At times, manufacturers add extra fat to their formula. You can ascertain the same by checking the fat sources on the ingredient list label. Fish oil, beef fat, and soybean oil are examples of added fat.
Keeping cat food weight management is extremely important when it comes to fats. Cats need to maintain a certain body type to stay active. Hence, a diet with high levels of fats is not recommended. Your feline friend should not be consuming more fat than it requires on a daily basis. Doing so will lead to your cat putting on weight and inviting health troubles. Talk to your veterinarian to know the ideal fat content for your cat’s diet.
Many animals need carbohydrates to obtain energy. However, since cats derive most of their energy from proteins and fats, carbohydrates are not that important in their diet. No, this does not mean that you can completely stop including carbs in your cat’s diet. Small amounts of carbohydrates are ideal for your cat to derive some energy. A diet that contains high levels of carbs is not recommended for cats at all since it may aid in putting on weight and will attract serious diseases such as diabetes.
Your cat’s diet should not include more than 10% of carbohydrates. Dry diets may have high amounts of carbohydrates. The only way to ensure that your cat is not eating too much carbs is by including wet food in its diet.
The best diet for cats includes the right balance of all nutrients. A perfect balance of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water will help your cat to grow healthy and maintain its ideal body weight. If you are concerned about your cat’s diet and need more insights on what to feed your cat in what proportions, simply reach out to your local veterinarian.
