Home Sweet Home: New Family Members

Puppies and kittens. Much joy, much work, and so much to learn -- for everyone! White House veterinary surgeons recommend you bring in your new puppy or kitten for a
check-up as soon as possible. We'll check physical health and discuss feeding, worming, socialisation, and any other concerns you may have.

Responsible pet owners neuter their companions for a variety of reasons. Both dogs and cats socialise better and less aggressively. Neutering combined with a proper vaccination schedule will give your companion a longer, healthier life.

Puppies:

Age	Procedure
8 weeks	Initial vaccinations
10 weeks	Second vaccinations
6 months +	Neuter males & spay females

Your puppy will be fully immune from ten
days after the second dose, but we don't recommend isolating your pet until then.
The first few months are important for developing good socialisaton skills. We suggest you introduce your puppy to as
many other dogs as possible. It's best if
you arrange the meetings at your home
and the other dogs are helathy and good-tempered. Similarly, arrange your puppy
to meet many people, including children,
and expose your new family member to as many different experiences as possible.

Cost of puppy vaccinations: £48.18

Primary benefits of neutering males:

• Stops straying after bitches in season
• Prevents "sexy" behaviour such as
frequent "leg-cocking"
• Reduces aggression

Cost of neutering (Male): £105.75;
over 40kg: £129.25

Advantages of spaying females (complete ovaro-hysterectomy):

• Prevents her coming into season (every
six months is normal) and thus pregnancy
• Eliminates the risk of womb problems
such as pyometra later in life
• Prevents mammary cancer when per-formed early

Total cost of spaying:

Under 20kg: £122.20
Between 20kg and 40kg: £152.75
Over 40kg:: £199.75

Kittens:

Age	Procedure
9 weeks	Initial vaccinations
12 weeks	Second vaccinations
5 months	Neuter males and females

We advise you keep your new kitten inside until after the second vaccination. This
allows the immune system to develop fully.

Cost of kitten vaccines:

• Flu and Enteritis £42.30
• Flu, Enteritis, and Feline Leukaemia £59.34

Once a female has her first "heat," her
body will attempt to remain fertile (in
oestrus) until she is pregnant. Depending
on health and conditions, a female cat
may go into heat every six weeks. She
may remain in heat for a month or more.
A single healthy cat may have six or
seven litters of between four and six
kittens every year.

Advantages of neutering kittens:

• Males do not roam
• Males are less aggressive and do not develop annoying and destrictive tom-cat habits such as spraying
• Females do not get pregnant and do not endure the stress of continued heats

Cost of neutering (male cat): £34.08
Cost of spaying (female cat): £47.59