At Emancipet, we believe every pet deserves the best start in their new home. In this post, we’ll guide you through the must-haves for your new companion, including crucial vaccines, essential supplies, and grooming tips to keep them looking and feeling their best. Let’s embark on this wonderful journey together and make your new pet feel truly at home!

Emancipet’s licensed veterinarians recommend all dogs receive:

  • Healthy Pet Exam – $20 at all Emancipet clinics (This fee is required for all walk-in services)
  • Rabies vaccine (If 3mo or older) – $17
  • DHPP vaccine (if 6wks or older) – $17
  • Bordetella vaccine – $17
  • Leptospirosis vaccine – $17
  • Dewormer – $5-25
  • Flea/Tick/Heartworm Prevention – $7-22 per month
  • Microchip – $20
  • Spay/Neuter surgery (if at least 3 months and 3 lbs) – $125

Emancipet’s licensed veterinarians recommend all cats receive:

  • Healthy Pet Exam – $20 at all Emancipet clinics (This fee is required for all walk-in services)
  • Rabies Vaccine – $17
    • 12-16 weeks (minimum age for Rabies is determined by state law, varies throughout the U.S.)
  • Feline Leukemia Vaccine – $17
  • FVRCP Vaccine – $17
  • Feline Leukemia / Immunodeficiency Virus Test – $20
  • Dewormer – $5-25
  • Microchip – $20
  • Flea/Heartworm/Parasite Prevention – $15 per dose
  • Spay/Neuter surgery (if at least 3 months and 3 lbs) – $89

Learn more about all of the services Emancipet offers here.

Do I really need to give my pet all of these vaccines and medications?

Yes! And here’s why.

Rabies Vaccine

By law, all dogs must be vaccinated against the Rabies virus. The minimum age for vaccination is 12-16 weeks. The minimum age is determined by state law and varies throughout the U.S., so please check with a veterinarian to determine the appropriate time to begin your pet’s Rabies vaccine series.

For dogs, the first vaccine must be given a booster within 1 year, then a booster every 3 years following.

Vaccination of kittens should begin at the minimum age as required by each state’s Rabies law. For cats, the first vaccine must be given a booster within 1 year, then a booster every 3 years following.

DHPP Vaccine

Minimum age of 6 weeks or older. Vaccination of puppies should begin at 6-8 weeks of age and be repeated every 3-4 weeks until 16-18 weeks of age. Dogs over 4 months old that have never received vaccinations will receive an initial vaccination with one booster vaccination 3-4 weeks later. Adult dog booster vaccination should be given at a frequency recommended by your veterinarian.

The 5-in-1 (DA2PP or DHPP) vaccine protects against:

  • Canine Parvovirus
  • Canine Distemper Virus
  • Canine Adenovirus type-1
  • Canine Adenovirus type-2
  • Canine Parainfluenza Virus

Bordetella Vaccine

The Bordetella Vaccine should be given to all puppies and dogs that interact with other dogs. While all dogs can receive this vaccine, the most at risk are those that are frequently in contact with other dogs. The highest risk includes dogs frequently attending dog parks, doggy day care, training classes, boarding, and grooming facilities. Speak with your veterinarian to decide how often your dog needs this vaccination. 

We offer both intranasal and injectable Bordetella vaccines. Intranasal Bordetella vaccination can be administered at 8 weeks of age and is administered as a nasal spray. Annual booster vaccinations are recommended, or as recommended by your veterinarian. The injectable Bordetella vaccination can also be administered at 8 weeks of age, and requires an initial vaccination followed by a booster 3-4 weeks later. Annual booster vaccinations are recommended.

This vaccine protects against the most common causes of Kennel Cough, a bacterium called Bordetella bronchiseptica. Most boarding, grooming, and dog training facilities require proof of vaccination. Check with your facility and your veterinarian several months prior to taking your dog.

Leptospirosis Vaccine

Any dog who has access to areas where wildlife lives including urban wildlife such as rabbits, deer, rats, racoons, etc., spends time on a farm, or may walk through, play in, or drink from natural bodies of water such as ponds, streams, rivers or even puddles should receive this vaccine. 

Leptospirosis is a bacteria that is shed in the urine of infected animals and can be passed by bite wounds, ingestion of infected tissue, or contact with contaminated soil, food, water, or bedding. If the bacteria is ingested by a dog, severe and life-threatening disease can develop. This bacteria is transmissible to humans, and can cause severe diseases in people, too.

We recommend an initial vaccine series (2 injections given 3-4 weeks apart) and then an annual booster, or as recommended by your veterinarian.

Dewormer

This medication is for puppies and kittens starting as early as 2 weeks old and repeating every 2-4 weeks until they are old enough to begin monthly prevention.

Regardless of whether their mother is on a preventive, it is recommended for all puppies and kittens as their immune systems are less able to fight off a minor infection.

Puppies and kittens should be given dewormer for common intestinal parasites starting as early as 2 weeks of age and repeating every 2-4 weeks until they are old enough to begin monthly prevention. Adult pets should receive year-round broad-spectrum parasite control with efficacy against common intestinal parasites.

Deworming treats active roundworm and hookworm infections.

Flea/Tick/Heartworm Prevention

For healthy pets, we recommend a chewable or topical flea, tick, and heartworm prevention. Chewable means that your pet can eat and swallow the tablet. Topical means an ointment places on the pet’s skin.

When administered monthly, this medication prevents fleas and ticks from biting your pet and therefore prevents skin irritation and disease that fleas may cause. It also prevents heartworm disease.

Emancipet offers a variety of parasite preventatives:

  • Heartworm Prevention – $7 per monthly dose / $30 for 6 monthly doses / $55 for 12 monthly doses
  • Flea and Tick Prevention – $15 per monthly dose / $51 for 3 monthly doses
  • Flea and Heartworm Prevention (Topical Medication) – $20 per monthly dose
  • Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Prevention – $22 per monthly dose

Please talk to our team about the best option for your pet as pets with certain medical conditions may be better served by a specific type of medication.

Feline Leukemia Vaccine

All cats who go outdoors and cats in social situations with other cats who go outdoors or already have the virus. Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) is more contagious and prevalent in younger cats.

For kittens, two vaccines given at 12 and 16 weeks, and then a booster one year later. Your veterinarian will recommend continued booster frequency based on your cat’s risk of exposure to FeLV.

It is recommended that all kittens be vaccinated when they are young. As your cat gets older, you can discuss their specific risk factors with your vet to decide if boosters are recommended.

This vaccine is highly effective for prevention of Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV). FeLV is a very contagious and deadly virus that is shed in bodily fluids of cats and can be spread to a healthy cat or kitten if it comes into direct contact or shares food or water bowls with an infected cat. FeLV cannot be spread to humans or other species.

FVRCP Vaccine

Vaccination of kittens should begin at 8 weeks of age and be repeated every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age. A booster vaccination should be given one year later, and then afterward as established in consultation with your veterinarian.

The FVRCP vaccine protects against 3 common and highly contagious viral upper respiratory and gastrointestinal infections: Feline Herpesvirus, Feline Calicivirus, and Feline Panleukopenia Virus.

Feline Leukemia / Immunodeficiency Virus Test

This test is recommended for newly acquired stray or adopted cats, prior to introducing new cats to other cats in household, or at recommendation of the veterinarian.

This test screens for two feline retroviruses, FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) and FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus). FeLV and FIV are transmitted by close contact with other cats and can result in serious and life-threatening disease. This test requires a small blood sample and will be performed in-office with results in just 10 minutes.

Microchip

A microchip can be administered at any age and does not require surgery or anesthesia.

A microchip is a small, permanent identification chip about the size of a grain of rice. When your lost pet is taken to an animal shelter or veterinary clinic, a microchip can help reunite you with your lost pet.

Learn more about how microchips work here.

Supplies our Veterinarians Recommend

All cats and dogs:

  • A place to sleep
  • Bowls for food and water
  • Food
  • Toys
    • A first toy or ball may be a good idea but many pets will need a few days before they’re ready to play.

Just for dogs:

  • Crate
    • New or shy dogs often do well in a crate. Older or already potty-trained dogs may prefer a bed in a quiet place.
  • Leash and collar
    • Be sure their collar has an ID tag with their name, your name and your contact information.

Just for cats:

  • Carrier
    • When traveling, always be sure to use a carrier or another safe container for travel. Ideally your cat would have room to stand up and turn around in the carrier.

Grooming

Grooming needs vary depending on your pet’s species and breed. Please talk to your veterinarian for recommendations on your specific pet’s grooming.

Most grooming facilities require vaccines to receive services. Please check with your local groomer to confirm the required vaccines.

Congratulations and welcome to the Emancipet family!

Congratulations on adopting your new family member! Welcoming a pet into your home is a joyous and rewarding experience, filled with love and companionship. At Emancipet, we understand that being a new pet parent can also come with its challenges, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Whether you need advice on pet care, affordable veterinary services, or just a friendly ear to share your pet stories with, Emancipet is dedicated to helping you provide the best care for your new pet. Together, we can ensure your furry friend has a happy, healthy, and fulfilling life.

Welcome to the Emancipet family – we’re excited to be a part of your journey as a new pet parent!