Dove Pet Hospital and Boarding, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Regular Hours: Monday through Friday 7am - 6pm
Saturday 9am - noon

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Guidance & Recommendations for Keeping Your Pet Healthy

Given the right information, support, and plenty of love and patience, pet ownership can be an immensely rewarding experience. The goal of the Pet Health section is to provide you with the knowledge and guidance to assist you in developing a healthy, loving relationship with your pet.

Good advice about caring for a dog or cat takes the animal’s age into consideration. Your pets’ needs will change as you move through life together. Making sure your pets’ medical and wellness needs are suited for their stage of life is the best way to ensure that the time you spend together will be long and happy.

Remember that no matter what stage of life your pets are in, their needs always include regular medical examinations and informed, open communication between you and your veterinarian.

Your New "PET KID"

Bringing a puppy or kitten into your family marks the beginning of a very happy, sometimes trying, and always exciting time in your life!

Dove Pet Hospital wants to help you and your new pet get off to a great start together.

We recommend scheduling your first visit with a veterinarian at 6 weeks of age, usually as soon as your puppy or kitten joins the family.

Your New "PET KIDS" First Exam

You can expect this visit to include:

	A comprehensive physical examination of your puppy or kitten
	Developing your puppy or kitten’s vaccination schedule
	Answering any questions regarding your new puppy or kitten. Explaining behavior and what to expect or modify
	Nutrition: what and how much to feed

During this visit, your veterinarian will also discuss any risks particular to your pet’s breed or environment. Some environmental risks, for example, may affect the types of vaccinations your veterinarian recommends.

Your pet’s first visit to Dove Pet Hospital marks the beginning of a cooperative effort between you and our health care team. The common goal is for you and your new pet to have a happy and healthy relationship! Our hope is to help you achieve this through compassion, experience, and knowledge.

Your New "PET KIDS" First Tests

You can expect these tests to include:

	Beginning heartworm preventive and parasite control medication
	Your puppy or kitten’s first vaccinations
	Testing for intestinal parasites and de-worming
	Testing for viruses in kittens: Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

Not all of your new pet’s short-term wellness needs can be met in a single visit. New pet owners should plan to make several visits to Dove Pet Hospital for wellness exams and vaccination boosters in the first few months of ownership, usually 3 to 4 weeks apart.

This will give your veterinarian the opportunity to complete your pet’s initial vaccination series, dispense heart worm medication, and monitor any developing medical or behavioral conditions. Your pet should also undergo spay or neuter surgery between 4 and 6 months of age.