2200 West Oakland Park Blvd.

Oakland Park, FL 33311 US

2200 West Oakland Park Blvd.

Oakland Park, FL 33311 US

(954) 731-4228

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Puppy And Kitten Care FAQ

Oakland Park Animal Hospital in Fort Lauderdale Answers Frequently
Asked Questions About Puppy and Kitten Care

puppy kitten

You want to give your new puppy or kitten the healthiest possible start in life -- but how? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about puppy and kitten care from Oakland Park Animal Hospital.

  • Why should puppies and kittens receive vaccinations? Puppies and kittens haven't yet developed their own immunity against certain common (and deadly) infectious diseases. Vaccinations spur their immune systems to start manufacturing the appropriate antibodies to fight the invading germs.
  • Which vaccinations does my puppy or kitten need? We commonly administer a group of core vaccinations to puppies and kittens. These vaccinations protect dogs against rabies, canine distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus. Cats receive protection against rabies, calicivirus, FHV-1 and feline distemper (also known as panleukopenia).
  • Why does my puppy or kitten need multiple rounds of vaccinations? Vaccinations need to be reinforced when the patient is still new to them. Administering multiple rounds of vaccinations at specific intervals is what brings your pet's immunity up to full strength.
  • Why is de-worming so important for puppies and kittens? Your baby animal is most susceptible to the harmful effects of roundworms, hookworms and other internal parasites during the first year of life. We recommend multiple rounds of de-worming during the first year of your little friend's life.
  • Why are fleas especially dangerous to baby animals? An individual flea might take only a tiny amount of blood, but a full-scale infestation can cause significant blood loss. This is particularly dangerous for very small or baby animals, including puppies and kittens, which can develop life-threatening anemia.
  • How can I protect my puppy or kitten against pest infestations? For the 4 weeks of your kitten's life or the first 4 weeks of your puppy's life, grooming is the only safe protection against fleas and ticks. For older puppies and kittens, your veterinarian can prescribe an ongoing program of oral, topical or collar-based preventative products to keep those unwanted pests away.
  • Why should I spay or neuter my puppy or kitten? It's best to spay or neuter pets before they reach sexual maturity -- and our Oakland Park veterinarian can perform these procedures on puppies and kittens aged 8 weeks or older. Spaying and neutering protects your pet against hormonally-charged dangerous behaviors as well as reproductive cancers.
  • What (and how) should I feed my puppy or kitten? Puppies and kittens typically require several meals a day to enable their bodies to grow rapidly. (At the six-month mark this routine slows to two meals a day.) Puppies need to get 25 to 30 percent of their calories from protein, while kittens require about one-third of their diet to be protein.

Our Vet Clinic Can Help your Puppy or Kitten

The best first step for ensuring your puppy or kitten's health is to schedule an initial wellness evaluation and any necessary preventative procedures. Call our vet clinic at 954-644-7281 today!

New patients receive $25 OFF First Exam.

Office Hours

Monday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-8:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-8:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-8:00 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-8:00 pm

Saturday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed

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Location

  • "AWESOME, Dr. Spencer Ratnoff is the best he treated my cat for a fractured top k9 tooth, when He finished with him, he looked like he was born without a k9 tooth. He did that surgery so well it’s refreshing a Dr that actually cares, his team is wonderful and very attentive, I left a message and not even 10 minutes later, I got a call back. My family is forever grateful .thank you for everything."
    Maryem K.
  • "I initially had a bad experience due to the Doctor that was in on that day. I returned for a checkup for my girl 'Cali' 'Cat' and the energy Dr. Ratnoff had was much better with my girl as she can be very temperamental. I was very pleased during this visit as Dr. Ratnoff had more patience and better vibe as our pets sense negative energy. Its a shame my first experience was not pleasant but I will be back and only ensure Dr. Ratnoff with my girl. Thankyou Doc!"
    Jeff G.
  • "Probably the best Vet experience I’ve had! They listened and took great care of my dog. I felt like I understood everything that was being done, and was given an estimate beforehand."
    Joana A.
  • "Very professional, friendly and nice clean environment. I highly recommend coming here for all your pet needs!"
    CorJames S.
  • "Dr. Ratnoff has always gone above and beyond for the care of our family's pets for several years."
    John / Oakland Park, FL

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