Basic Healthcare for Puppies and Kittens

Before bringing that cute little ball of fur home, there are several things you should know about how to prevent diseases so that you and your new pet are together for years to come.

Just like children, small animals must build up immunity to common diseases before venturing out into the world. In order to do that, your new pet must have a full set of vaccinations. Especially with "found" animals, a trip to the vet is the first order of business. If you have other animals in the house, this helps to insure that the new pet does not carry contagious diseases into your household. Among some of the more deadly diseases in the animal kingdom are parvo and distemper for dogs and feline leukemia and feline distemper for cats. Rabies is also a deadly disease for all mammals, but is rarer.

Animal vaccinations work just like human vaccinations. Live or killed virus is injected into the animal at a regular interval in order to build up their immunity. Ask your vet what he or she suggests for the proper immunization. It is not unusual for animals to run a slight fever or to appear sluggish after the immunizations. Monitor the animal's activity during this time, and contact the vet with anything abnormal. The general rule is, better safe than sorry.

Until your new pet has had a full set of vaccinations, keep exposure to other animals to a minimum. When taking your puppy or kitten to the vet, be sure to keep them in a clean carrier from home. Diseases can be found on the floors of a vet's office. When visiting other households that may have sick animals, keep contact with the animal to a minimum and thoroughly wash your hands and sterilize your clothes with an antibacterial spray before returning home.

Keep your new pet's time in the back yard to a minimum as well, since many diseases can be transmitted from species to species in stool or bodily fluids. Finally, try to keep your new pet free of ticks and fleas. Be sure to ask your vet which products are best for young animals, since some flea and tick medicines are made for adults.

If your pet does get sick, some common symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, listlessness, fever (use an anal thermometer or see if the animal feels warmer than usual), loss of appetite and dehydration. If you can't see a vet immediately, you may have to force fluids on the animal in the form of Pedialyte. This may be done by filling a dropper with liquid and squeezing it into the back of their mouth.

Many diseases may affect your new furry friend, but with proper precautions and a little time with the vet, your pet will be with you for years to come.