Welcoming your new puppy or kitten

Congratulations! Whether you’re just about to welcome a new little one to the family, or they’ve already arrived, the excitement is huge.

Bringing a puppy or kitten home is the start of a very rewarding adventure and we are delighted to be starting this journey with you. You may have questions now, or along the way but with our expertise at your fingertips, we are here to support you every step of the way.

Do you have any questions?

Lancaster practice
01524 32696

Morecambe practice
01524 410867

Milnthorpe practice
015395 62770

Caton practice
01524 770615

Choosing and preparing for your new pet: Breed considerations, behaviour and much more

Important information for your new puppy or kitten

When welcoming your new pet in Lancashire, there are important steps to take to ensure your pet is protected, including getting pet insurance and making sure they are protected with vaccinations. See below for more information on these steps:

New puppy and kitten FAQs

When welcoming your new pet, there are important steps to take to ensure your pet is protected, including getting pet insurance and making sure they are protected with vaccinations.

For all this information and more, check out our FAQs below.

Frequently Asked Questions:

When should I vaccinate my puppy/kitten?

For puppies, the first vaccination is usually given at 8 weeks old, followed by a second two to four weeks later (no earlier than 10 weeks old), allowing for an early socialisation programme. We recommend that yearly boosters are obtained to ensure immunisation is up to date.

Kitten vaccinations start from 8 weeks of age, with the second vaccine administered three weeks after the first. A certificate of vaccination will be provided at the second vaccination appointment.

It is important for annual boosters to be taken to make sure immunity remains effective.

Why does my pet need to have vaccinations every 12 months?

Depending on the disease that your pet is being vaccinated against, the period of time that they are protected will differ. Certain diseases, such as leptospirosis in dogs and flu in cats only carry around 12 months protection, which is why a yearly booster is recommended.

Even though you pet might be being vaccinated every 12 months, it is not always against the same diseases – your vaccination card will show you which diseases they are getting boosters for each visit. Visiting us every 12 months for vaccinations also means your pet gets a full annual health check, which is equally important!

Does my pet need to be vaccinated if they live inside?

Although your pet may not go outside, it is still possible for diseases to be brought into the house. This could be via soil on a dirty boot or via other wildlife that could enter the home. Therefore, having full vaccination can provide the protection needed for all circumstances, meaning you don’t have to take the risk.

Are there any schemes or offers to help with covering the cost of my pets’ vaccinations?

Our Bay Healthcare Plan offers the best value way to vaccinate your pet to ensure they have the preventative health protection they need over the course of their lifetime. Being a member allows you the opportunity to spread the cost over 12 months whilst also receiving discounts on other services at Bay Vets.

If you would like further information on vaccination programmes for your pet, or our Bay Healthcare Plan, please contact us.

Can lungworm infection be treated and prevented?

If a dog is showing symptoms of lung worm infection it will need supportive care and intensive treatment.

There are a couple of treatments also licensed which can kill the worms and this will also be given. However, in some cases the condition can be fatal.

There are only a couple of licensed products which have been shown to prevent lungworm infection. At Bay Vets, the products used in our Bay Vets Healthcare Plan ensure this prevention is included.

Please note:

Many regular worming tablets are not active against lung worm, so these cannot be relied upon. If you are unsure which products are safe in preventing lungworm infection, please talk to one of our vets or nurses.

What happens to my pet if they don't have flea and worm treatment?

When it comes to worm treatment, there may be severe consequences if ignored. Depending on the type of worm your pet can experience irritation such as intestinal blockages, obstruction of blood flow in the heart, artery inflammation, anaemia, and even death if left untreated.

What age can my puppy be neutered/spayed?

A male dog can be neutered from 6 months old onwards. However, it is recommended for your dog to have reached maturing before the surgery is performed, which could be up to 2 years in larger dogs.

A female dog can undergo a spaying procedure before their first season around six months old, or after their first season.

What age can my kitten be neutered/spayed?

Kittens become sexually mature at a very young age, so it is usually recommended male cats are neutered from 4 months onwards. However, if you adopt or rescue an older cat the surgery can be performed in adulthood.

For female kittens, spaying procedure can be completed around 5-6 months of age.

Starting your puppy off right!

If you’ve recently got a new puppy, you may be wondering how to give them the best start to life. According to Dogs Trust, the first four months of a puppy’s life are crucial. It is when they learn what to make of all the things they experience in the world.

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