16355 SW 88th Street
Miami, FL 33196
Monday-Friday: 9:00am-6:00pm; Saturday: 8:30am-2:00pm; Sunday: Closed
Bringing home a new puppy or kitten is an exciting milestone, and the veterinary care your young pet receives in these first months lays the groundwork for a long, healthy life. At Your Family Veterinarian, we help new pet parents get started off on the right foot with a full plan for vaccines, parasite control, nutrition, and behavior.
New puppy and kitten care is a series of early wellness visits designed to protect your young pet during the most vulnerable stage of their life. Dr. Morales and Dr. Fernandez, a husband-and-wife veterinarian team, personally guide every new puppy and kitten through their first exams, vaccinations, and screenings, taking time to answer your questions along the way. Our fear-free, low-stress approach helps young animals build positive associations with the clinic from their very first visit, making every appointment after that easier for you and your pet.
We recommend scheduling your new puppy or kitten’s first appointment within the first week of bringing them home. Here’s how our new pet visits are structured:
Your pet’s first visit includes a nose-to-tail physical exam checking the eyes, ears, heart, lungs, abdomen, and skin, along with a review of any records from the breeder or shelter and a fecal parasite screen. We’ll also go over nutrition, house training, and what to watch for as your pet grows, so bring a list of questions and, if possible, a fresh stool sample.
Puppies typically begin their core vaccine series around six to eight weeks of age, with boosters every three to four weeks until 16 to 20 weeks, plus a rabies vaccine required under Florida law. Kittens follow a similar schedule with the FVRCP vaccine, along with rabies and, for many kittens, feline leukemia protection. Multiple doses are needed because maternal immunity fades gradually, and skipping doses can leave gaps in protection.
Many puppies and kittens carry intestinal parasites passed from their mother, so we test and deworm early and often. In Miami’s year-round warm climate, flea, tick, and heartworm prevention should start early too, generally around eight weeks for heartworm prevention in puppies, and continue every month for life. Give us a call at (786) 885-1590 if you’d like help choosing the right products for your pet’s age and weight.
The first months of your puppy or kitten’s life set the tone for their lifelong health, and skipping or delaying early care can leave young pets exposed to preventable, sometimes fatal, diseases.
Growing puppies and kittens need food formulated for their rapid development, with appropriate levels of protein, fat, calcium, and phosphorus. We help you choose an age-appropriate diet and feeding schedule, and flag any breed-specific nutrition needs, such as controlled growth diets for large-breed puppies.
Positive exposure to new people, pets, sounds, and environments between roughly three and 14 weeks of age helps shape a confident, well-adjusted adult pet. We’re happy to share tips on house training, crate training, and building comfort with handling at home so future vet visits stay stress-free.
Most puppies and kittens are spayed or neutered between six and 12 months of age, though the ideal timing can vary by breed and size. We’ll talk through the right timeline for your pet during their early wellness visits.
Contact us right away if your young pet shows any of the following:
These signs can point to serious issues like parvovirus or other infections that progress quickly in young animals, so please call us at (786) 885-1590 right away rather than waiting for a scheduled appointment.
At Your Family Veterinarian, we’re proud to offer:
We recommend scheduling a visit within the first week of bringing your new pet home. This first exam checks for any underlying health issues, starts the vaccination series, and gives you a chance to ask questions. Call (786) 885-1590 to get on the schedule.
Most puppies and kittens need a series of three to four vaccine doses, spaced three to four weeks apart, starting around six to eight weeks of age and continuing until roughly 16 to 20 weeks. Until the series is complete, we recommend limiting exposure to unvaccinated animals and high-traffic public areas.
Bring any records from the breeder or shelter, a fresh stool sample if you can collect one, and a list of questions about feeding, training, or behavior. If your pet has shown any symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or coughing, let us know right when you arrive.
Timing depends on your pet’s species, breed, and size, but most puppies and kittens are spayed or neutered between six and 12 months of age. Dr. Morales and Dr. Fernandez will recommend the best timeline for your pet during an early wellness visit. Call (786) 885-1590 with any questions.
Persistent vomiting or bloody diarrhea, refusing to eat for more than 12 hours, severe lethargy, trouble breathing, or straining to urinate all warrant an urgent call. These can be signs of parvovirus or other fast-moving conditions in young pets, so please call (786) 885-1590 right away rather than waiting.
Ready to start your new pet off on a healthy path? Call (786) 885-1590 or book online to schedule your puppy or kitten’s first appointment with Your Family Veterinarian. Our clinic is located at 16355 SW 88th Street, Miami, FL 33196 in the shopping plaza with LA Fitness and Starbucks. We’re open Monday through Friday, 9am–6pm, and Saturday, 8:30am–2pm. We look forward to welcoming your new family member and building a lifelong partnership around their health.
