Life Stages
BRVC’s doctors understand your pet’s unique qualities and recommend medical care, food, and medications that are appropriate for each stage of its life. Whether your family member is a puppy or kitten, adolescent, adult or senior, or if you’re contemplating end-of-life care, we’ll always consider its individual needs and your wishes in our discussions with you.
Puppies and Kittens
Our doctors and veterinary care team members want to make sure your new puppy or kitten starts off on the right paw with a wellness exam shortly after joining your family. During this visit, we’ll examine your new family member from nose to tail, by checking the eyes, ears, skin, and teeth, listen to its heart and lungs, and look for muscle or skeletal problems and potential congenital defects. Puppies and kittens need protection from infectious diseases and parasites, so we’ll recommend vaccines appropriate for each species and heartworm, flea and tick, and intestinal parasite preventatives that are proven safe and effective. For more information about the vaccines we recommend for your puppy or kitten, please visit our vaccination schedule.
Our doctors recommend most puppies and kittens be spayed or neutered between 6-8 months of age; however, we recognize there is some scientific evidence that delaying spay or neuter surgery for large breed dogs may be beneficial. We’re happy to discuss the benefits and risks of this surgery as it relates to your dog’s breed and lifestyle to help you make a decision. We recommend puppies and kittens be microchipped during spay or neuter surgery so pet parents never have to face the heartbreak of losing a beloved family member.
