The Medivet Wellness ProgrammeCaring for your puppy or kitten

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My pet profile Fill out the information below to create a personal profile for your pet.

My name is:

My owner’s name is:

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Animal: Breed: Gender: Colour/markings: Microchip number:

My favourite food is:

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Their contact number is:

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Your puppy and kitten wellness programmeWelcome to pet ownership.

We’re always there to help you give your new pet the best start in life. With our tailored plan, you can make sure they have everything they need, helping them on their way to becoming a healthy, confident and happy adult.

Our wellness programme is designed to give you a detailed overview of your visits to the vet. Follow our guide and the advice of our caring staff to provide everything your pet needs as they grow up.

Table of contents

Getting started p. 6 You pet’s first step p. 14 Your adult pet p. 20 Puppy and kitten weight chart p. 22 Scheduled visits p. 25 The Medivet Healthcare plan p. 27

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As soon as you pick up your new puppy or kitten, we recommend you bring them to your local Medivet practice for a complimentary check before you take them home.

During your visit, we’ll make sure they’re healthy, identify any possible health issues and talk through a suggested programme for regular healthcare in the future. You’ll also be able to ask us any questions you may have about your new pet.

Condition scoringJust like human babies, we want to check your pet’s progress against an ideal growth chart. The aim is for your puppy or kitten to be alert, lean and healthy with a good growth rate.

By regularly checking their growth rate, we can easily identify and correct any issues before they impact your pet’s health.

Clinical examinationDuring our thorough clinical evaluation, we’ll examine your puppy or kitten and look for a number of conditions. In particular, we’ll check for hernias and any obvious genetic defects that may be common to that breed.

Getting started We’ll check your pet’s: temperature eyes ears nose mouth, gums and teeth jaw conformation skin lymph glands heart, by listening to

it and monitoring the pulse lungs abdomen muscles joints.

WormsYoung animals often have both fleas and worms, although they may not be obvious.

The importance of this check is especially important for pets that live with children, as some worms can pose a threat to human health.

If necessary, we will advise and dispense an appropriate and effective wormer for your new puppy or kitten.

FleasWe’ll carefully examine your pet, looking for any signs of ectoparasites including fleas. If there’s any doubt, we’ll apply treatment immediately. We’ll also give you our expert advice on the regular flea treatment and why it’s vital to your pet and the rest of the family.

It’s important to plan a parasite prevention treatment schedule from the beginning. It’s very easy for pets to become infested, but far less easy to treat it.

MicrochippingWe’ll talk you through the process and benefits of microchipping. Microchipping is now a legal requirement for all dogs in the UK.

We can also do this at the time of neutering, but we advise that you microchip your pet as soon as possible.

The chip carries a unique number that permanently identifies your pet, and your contact details are then registered to this number on a secure central database.

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GroomingGetting your pet used to regular grooming is a great idea, not only for their wellbeing but also as a bonding exercise. We can help you choose a brush that best suits your pet, taking into account hair length and breed.

If you start early, grooming can be enjoyed by both dogs and cats. Start off with short sessions and gradually lengthen them as your pet becomes accustomed. When your pet accepts what you’re doing and stay still, be sure to stop and reward them.

Toilet trainingEven the smartest puppy or kitten is bound to have the odd accident when introduced to a new home, new routines and new people. How you to react to this is important, but make sure you don’t punish them.

We’ll talk you through how to quickly house train your pet using rewards, proper supervision and most importantly, patience.

FeedingFor the first few days, it’s best to carry on feeding your puppy or kitten the food they’re used to, as this will help them settle in.

Note that not all pet foods are the same. Some have better quality ingredients than others, so you may want to compare different

If your pet goes missing, a microchip means they can be easily identified by the authorities and returned back to you as soon as possible.

This is especially important as traditional collars can be easily lost, or intentionally removed in the case of a stolen pet.

‘Chipping’ is also an essential part of the pet passport scheme.

Microchipping and flea and worming treatment are included in the Medivet Healthcare Plan.

options. Whichever food you choose, make sure it’s specially formulated to give your pet all the necessary nutrients they need to grow strong and healthy.

We’ll help you decide which food is best for your individual pet, and give advice on how to switch over gradually. You’ll also need a couple of good quality, feeding bowls for food and water. A feeding mat is also a good idea to protect the floor.

VaccinationVaccinations are an essential part of regular pet health care. In many cases, they’re the only way to provide immunity against some dangerous and deadly diseases that

are still prevalent in the UK. Regular booster vaccinations can protect your pet for life.

Young animals need to be vaccinated at the earliest possible opportunity, but remember, the protective effects of vaccination are not immediate. We’ll advise you when your pet may be safely allowed outside.

Puppies and kittens need a second vaccination a few weeks after their primary inoculation, and we strongly advise a third one at 16 weeks. This is because immunity from the mother could interfere with successful vaccination of your pet before this age.

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During your visit, we recommend you book your puppy or kitten in for their first vaccination. If you’ve purchased your pet from a breeder, they should’ve already received their first vaccine. If not, ask why.

Once completed, your vet will give you a vaccination record which is an important document that you’ll need to keep safe. Don’t forget to bring it with you to all future vaccination appointments. If you want to use a kennel or cattery, they’ll need to see this record to check that all your pet’s vaccinations are up to date.

We offer complimentary puppy and kitten vaccinations when you sign up to our Medivet Healthcare Plan.

TeethJust like humans, dogs and cats have two sets of teeth – ‘milk teeth’ and adult teeth. At some point, your pet will lose their ‘milk teeth’ to allow for their permanent adult teeth to come through. Your friendly Medivet team will

explain what happens and when it’s likely to occur.

Dental careDental disease affects 80% of animals over the age of three, and it’s one of the most common conditions we see in our clinics. However, it’s easily preventable by regular brushing and dental care at home.

By starting early, brushing your pet’s teeth will become a fairly easy process, especially if it’s done regularly. The best way to start is to get them used to the sensation by running your finger along the outside of their teeth. This will teach them to accept objects in their mouth and along their teeth.

You can then try a finger toothbrush which has soft bristles before graduating to a normal veterinary toothbrush. A few minutes of brushing every day will be hugely beneficial to your pet’s dental health. We know this can be a daunting task to start with, especially for new pet owners, so our friendly vets and nurses are always on hand to help you.

A dry food diet can also help reduce dental disease. Hill’s and Royal Canin offer a number of diets that are specially formulated to help prevent dental disease.

InsuranceThe costs of comprehensive veterinary care are constantly rising, especially if your pet needs advanced treatment and services like blood transfusion and MRI scans. That’s why we highly recommend that you take out an insurance policy to cover these costs.

A good insurance policy will ensure that diagnostic and therapeutic options are available to your pet, giving you peace of mind that, if anything should happen, you’ll be covered towards the costs of the most up-to-date treatment available.

Pet insurance is often overlooked, despite being an essential part of responsible pet ownership.

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Important questions to ask when buying pet insurance:

Is the insurance company reputable?

Is the company a pet insurance specialist?

Have you compared the excesses and benefit levels?

Have you checked that the premium and excess don’t increase when you make a claim?

Will the company insure your pet into their old age?

Will the insurer place exclusions at renewal for an illness or injury that has occured in the previous policy year?

Will the insurer cover the following after the start of the insurance: congenital and hereditary illness, hip-related conditions, dental treatment, behavioural problems, diet food used to dissolve bladder stones and crystals in urine?

Would you rather have life time or annual insurance? We always recommend getting the most comprehensive cover you are able to.

A good policy doesn’t only cover the veterinary bills. Some policies also cover the following:

the cost of rewards for finding a lost pet

boarding/kennelling costs should you ever have to be hospitalised and therefore unable to care for your pet

costs related to any damage your pet may cause to someone else’s property

if you’re unsure which policy is best for your pet, speak with one of our friendly teams at your local practice.

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Your pet’s first steps our guide to your pet’s first year.

When you first get your new pet:

thorough check up condition scoring weight check fleas and worming microchipping insurance feeding.

At eight weeks:

vaccination condition scoring weight check flea and worming microchipping insurance tooth brushing socialisation.

Ongoing regular care is key to giving your new pet the best start in life.Take a look at our suggested pet plan for their first 12 months.

At twelve weeks:

thorough check up vaccination condition scoring insurance microchipping socialisation flea and worming weight check spaying/castration.

At six months:

health check thorough check up condition scoring flea and worming weight check spaying/castration.

At sixteen weeks:

thorough check up vaccination condition scoring spaying/castration.

After six months:

spaying/castration microchipping feeding flea and worming.

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Ears, eyes, mouth and pawsThese checks will help you better understand what’s normal for your pet, allowing you to pick up any abnormalities early on and making visits to the vets less stressful.

Animals are as varied as humans, and there are many individual variations that are still considered normal. We’ll show you how to examine your puppy or kitten and give you pointers on what may indicate a problem.

Our nurse will show you how to check your pet’s ears, eyes and conjunctivae, as well the mouth area. If you start getting your pet used to this early on, they’ll tolerate it far better as an adult. Practising putting your fingers in their mouth will also allow you to easily brush their teeth in the future. Try placing your fingers gently behind the canine teeth on the upper and lower jaw to gently open the mouth and look inside. This will also help with future medicating if necessary.

It can be difficult to get a young pet to sit still long enough to have a good look at their paws, but your local vet can help you. It’s important to take each one individually and

inspect the skin on top and the pads underneath. You should also try and check between their toes as this is where grass seeds can often become lodged. Claws should also be examined for length, colour and swelling at the base.

SocialisationYoung animals have an important ‘sensitive period’ when it’s essential to socialise them and get them used to their environment. A well socialised pet is a happy, confident one. This golden window of opportunity closes between three and four months old, so it’s vital you make the most of it. If you don’t, unfamiliar people, objects and experiences are approached with caution, trepidation and sometimes even aggression.

Household itemsHoover Washing machine Tumble dryer Dishwasher Broom and mop Ironing board Doorbell Music and TV Dropped pots

PeopleMen Women Babies Toddlers Teenagers Postman Binmen

Outside items and areasBin bags and bin Garage Car Bus stop School Pub Pet shop Town centre Park and fields

Garden items Lawnmower Hedge trimmer Shed Greenhouse Garden toys

Other animalsDogs Cats Small animals Birds Horses

This checklist suggests some things you can introduce your pet to. Although you don’t need to do them all, we recommend introducing them to the items you choose up to five times. Variety is key so introduce your pet to new people, places and objects whenever you can. Don’t overexpose your pet; short, frequent meetings are best for young pets.

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NeuteringUnless you’re seriously considering breeding your new puppy or kitten, we strongly advise you consider neutering, i.e., castration for males or spaying for females.

As well as protecting against unplanned litters, there are many other benefits of neutering. Our friendly nurses can explain how it helps prevent:

unwanted heats

straying males

potentially life-threatening diseases

uterine infections

some forms of cancer, including mammary tumours and ovarian, testicular and uterine cancers.

The neutering operationWe know that leaving your pet for an operation can be worrying, but our vet teams are highly skilled to deliver the safest treatment that’s as stress-free and painless as possible. Our nurses are also on hand to give a detailed explanation of the entire process to help put your mind at ease.

You will need to return with your pet two to three days after their neutering procedure for a post-operative check to see how they’re getting on. We’ll also give you a call the day after the operation to confirm that they’re recovering well.

You can also ask your local vet about our keyhole spays for puppies, which offer a quicker recovery, smaller wounds and a less painful procedure.

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The first year of your pet’s life goes quickly, and as they enter adulthood we’ll hopefully need to see them less frequently. However, maintaining your pet’s health starts with regular healthcare.

Booster vaccinationsAs with humans, the immunity to animals provided by vaccines tends

to wane over time. By visiting us on an annual basis for booster vaccines, your pet will receive a thorough health check and we can make sure their vaccination immunity is up to date.

We are able to offer blood testing to ensure that your pet has the right level of immunity, speak to your vet for more information.

Your adult pet We’ll send you a reminder to let you know when your pet’s booster is due. If your pet misses their booster, they’ll need to restart and have their primary vaccination course again.

Fleas and wormingIt’s important to maintain frequent flea and worming treatment. Flea prevention should be given monthly, and we normally recommend worming treatment every quarter. However, if your pet is prone to eating odd things or does a lot of hunting, we would advise worming them more often.

Speak with your local vet to develop a tailored treatment plan for your pet’s lifestyle.

Vaccinations and flea and worming treatment are included in our healthcare plan.

Extra helpA few of our practices also run dedicated nurse clinics on topics such as:

weight management

dental health

puppy parties

fleas and worming.

Contact your local Medivet practice to find out what clinics they offer.

Is your pet over eight?Older pets are more prone to developing health issues and conditions. We understand the importance of identifying problems early, so we also offer complimentary urine testing for pets aged eight or over during their booster vaccination visits. Simply ask your vet for more information.

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Puppy and kitten weight chartIt’s important to track the weight of your puppy or kitten to make sure they’re developing as they should.

A healthy weight for your pet will depend on a number of factors. Speak with your vet to find out your pet’s expected weight growth rate.

Use our handy charts to monitor your pet’s growth.

Please note that these charts are a guide as pets can vary in weight, your vet is best placed to check their condition if you have any concerns.

Puppy

Wei

ght i

n kg

Age in months

Giant (40+ kg) Large (25 - 40 kg) Medium (10 - 25 kg) Small (5 - 10 kg)

10

0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

wea

ning

Date of visit

2

3

6

9

4

7

10

12

5

8

11

Body conditioning score

Age in months

Recommended feeding amount

Weight

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Wei

ght i

n kg

Age in weeks

0.5

0

0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

Date of visit

4

8

20

32

12

24

36

42

16

28

40

46

48

Body conditioning score

Recommended feeding amount

WeightAge in weeks

Kitten Male Female

Scheduled visitsWe recommend making all of our suggested visits to ensure your puppy or kitten receives the best start in life, with the highest standard of care.

We’re always there to answer any concerns you may have.

The first visitThorough check up Condition scoring Weight check Fleas and worming Microchipping Insurance Feeding

The first vaccination Vaccination Condition scoring Weight check Flea and worming Microchipping Insurance Toothbrushing Socialisation

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The third vaccinationThorough check up Vaccination Condition scoring

NeuteringSpaying/castration Microchipping Feeding - how should your pet’s diet change?

Six month check upHealth check Thorough check up Condition scoring Flea and worming Weight check

The second vaccinationThorough check up Vaccination Condition scoring Insurance Microchipping Socialisation Flea and worming Weight check Annual booster

vaccinations

Flea and tick control

Six-monthly health check

10% off all vet care and medications*

Worm protection

Complimentary microchipping

if required

The Medivet Healthcare PlanOur healthcare plan provides your dog, cat or rabbit with:

Ask us about our multi-pet discount*

*T&Cs apply. Please ask at your local Medivet practice.