A Healthy Start for Your Newest Family Member
Congratulations on your new puppy or kitten! The first few months set the stage for a lifetime of health, and there is a lot to keep track of: vaccine boosters, deworming, parasite prevention, food, house training and more. We make it simple.
At Vineland Animal Hospital, Dr. Millhoff sees your puppy or kitten at every visit in the series, so she gets to know them as they grow. Bring your list of questions. We love new-pet questions, and we never rush you out the door.
Send us your request and our team will call you to confirm a day and time. If your pet is sick today, please call (407) 233-3386.
Bring any records from the breeder, shelter or rescue, and a stool sample if you can.
| Age | Puppies |
|---|---|
| 6 to 8 weeks | Exam, DHPP #1, fecal test and deworming |
| 10 to 12 weeks | Exam, DHPP #2, deworming, start heartworm prevention, Bordetella if needed |
| 14 to 16 weeks | Exam, DHPP #3, Rabies (required in Florida by 4 months) |
| 1 year | Exam, boosters including Rabies (due 12 months after the first dose) |
| Age | Kittens |
|---|---|
| 6 to 8 weeks | Exam, FVRCP #1, fecal test and deworming |
| 10 to 12 weeks | Exam, FVRCP #2, Feline Leukemia (FeLV) test and vaccine #1 |
| 14 to 16 weeks | Exam, FVRCP #3, FeLV #2, Rabies (required in Florida by 4 months) |
| 1 year | Exam, boosters including Rabies |
Dr. Millhoff adjusts the schedule to your pet’s age, history and lifestyle. Until the series is finished, keep puppies away from dog parks, pet store floors and other places unvaccinated dogs go.
Fleas, intestinal worms and the mosquitoes that carry heartworm are active here nearly all year, so prevention starts young and never stops.
Puppies investigate everything, including Bufo (cane) toads, which are toxic. Supervise yard time, especially in the evening and after rain.
Short, early-morning or evening walks in summer, plenty of water and shade, and never leave a pet in a parked car.
Watch where small paws go, and check the pavement with the back of your hand before a walk.
A quick, permanent ID that we can place at a puppy or kitten visit. Learn More
Choose a "complete and balanced" puppy or kitten food that meets AAFCO standards, and ask us how much to feed as your pet grows.
Early socialization, gentle handling, crate and litter box training. Ask Dr. Millhoff about nipping, chewing, scratching and fear of the car or carrier.
Within the first week or two of bringing them home, and by 8 weeks of age if possible. Vineland Animal Hospital in Orlando sees puppies and kittens from 6 weeks old; call (407) 233-3386.
Wait until about two weeks after the final puppy vaccine, usually around 16 to 18 weeks. Parvo is still a risk in Central Florida for puppies that are not fully vaccinated.
Yes. FVRCP protects against serious viruses that can be carried indoors, and Florida law requires a rabies vaccine for all cats by 4 months of age.
The American Heartworm Society recommends starting puppies on heartworm prevention by 8 weeks of age. In Central Florida, where mosquitoes are active most of the year, it should continue year-round.
You often can’t tell. Many young pets carry roundworms or hookworms with no signs. That is why we test stool samples and deworm routinely in the first months.
Dr. Millhoff watches your pet grow up.
New-pet questions are our favorite kind.
Toads, heat, fire ants and year-round parasites.
Costs explained before every visit in the series.
Vineland Animal Hospital, 11402 S Apopka Vineland Rd, Orlando, FL 32836, United States. Serving Dr. Phillips, Orlando, Winter Garden, Ocoee, Apopka and Kissimmee.
