Puppy and Kitten Care

At Animal Clinic of North Topeka, we are so excited that you have a new addition to the family! We would love to partner with you to make sure your pet grows into a healthy, active, and happy companion for many years to come.

What to expect at your first puppy or kitten visit

  • We will review your pet’s previous health and vaccination history
  • Your pet will receive a complete physical examination with our veterinarians
  • We will begin or update vaccinations, if appropriate
  • We’ll discuss heartworm prevention, flea and tick control, and deworming
  • The veterinarian will discuss normal development and any breed-specific health concerns
  • You can ask any questions you might have about training, grooming, or anything else!
A small dog sitting on the grass, looking content and relaxed.

Puppy Vaccination Schedule

Below is the vaccine schedule for puppies, as recommended by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)’s Canine Vaccination Task Force. Don’t worry – if your puppy doesn’t exactly fit this chart, our veterinarians will work with you to establish a protocol that is right for your dog!

Age Vaccinations
6 weeks Complete Physical Exam
1st DA2PP
1st Bordetella
Fecal Exam
9 weeks 2nd DA2PP
2nd Bordetella
12 weeks 3rd DA2PP
1st Leptospirosis
16 weeks 4th DA2PP
2nd Leptospirosis
1-year Rabies

Kitten Vaccination Schedule

Below is the vaccine schedule for kittens, based on recommendations by the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP)’s Feline Vaccination Advisory Panel. Don’t worry – if your kitten doesn’t exactly fit this chart, our veterinarians will work with you to establish a protocol that is right for your pet!

Age Vaccinations
8 weeks Comprehensive Physical Exam
1st Purevax RCP
Fecal exam
12 weeks Feline Leukemia and FIV test
2nd Purevax RCP
1st Purevax Leukemia
16 weeks Purevax RCP booster
Purevax Leukemia booster
Purevax Rabies (1yr)

Intestinal Parasites

We recommend collecting a fecal sample to test for any intestinal parasites in your pets. There are numerous intestinal parasites but no universal dewormer, so it is the most economical and safest for your pet to test first, then only treat them with what they need. Most intestinal parasites are spread by fecal contamination, so in addition to deworming medication, also be sure to pick up feces out of the yard immediately to prevent re-infection! Roundworms and hookworms are zoonotic, meaning they can be spread from dogs to humans, so always wash your hands! Below is a list of the most common intestinal parasites and how they spread.

Product Description
Roundworms
**ZOONOTIC**
  • Most common parasitic worm of dog and cats
  • Can be several inches long
  • Spread by eating contaminated soil or from an infected mother to her offspring
  • Can also infect humans!
Hookworms
**ZOONOTIC**
  • Small red worms that feed on blood
  • Severe infections can be fatal
  • Migrating larvae can penetrate skin and cause a rash in humans!
Tapeworms
  • Worm is made of many segments that look like cooked white rice
  • Spread by ingesting fleas or rodents
  • Humans are rarely infected
Whipworms
  • Live in the large intestine and cecum
  • Spread by eating contaminated soil
  • Can cause diarrhea or stunted growth
Giardia
  • One-celled parasitic organism
  • Spread by contaminated water or direct fecal-oral transmission
  • Symptoms vary from no outward signs to severe diarrhea
Coccidia
  • One-celled protozoal parasite
  • Spread by fecal-oral transmission
  • Often associated with bird droppings