Learn about comprehensive preventative care services for pets in Singapore — including vaccinations, puppy or kitten care, deworming, flea and tick prevention, pre-export health checks, in-house vaccination titer testing, and more.
Just like us humans, our furry, feathered, and scaly companions need regular checkups and preventative care to stay happy and healthy throughout their lives.
At both our Yishun and Upper Thomson clinics, the team at Paws N’ Claws Vet is dedicated to providing a suite of preventative care services to keep your pets protected from preventable illnesses.
Why Vaccinations Are Important
Vaccinating your pet is one of the most important aspects of preventative care. Vaccines help stimulate your pet’s immune system to fight off serious infectious diseases like leptospirosis in dogs, distemper, canine parvovirus, and rabies.
Regular vaccinations not only safeguard your pet’s health but also help protect the wider animal community.
They can reduce the severity of future diseases, and certain vaccines can prevent infection altogether. Vaccinating animals also help to prevent zoonotic diseases (passed from animal to human) from spreading.
Ideally, vaccinations should be given when the pet is healthy. Our veterinary team can advise on the recommended timing and frequency of vaccinations.
As a general guideline, for puppies and kittens, the initial core vaccination is given at around 6 to 8 weeks of age. Subsequent boosters are then given every 4 weeks or so, until the furkid is about 16 weeks old.
After the last kitten or puppy shot at 16 weeks of age, the next shot would be their first adult booster — when they are 52 weeks old or within a year after the last dose of the kitten/puppy vaccination.
What To Expect After Vaccinations
After your pet is vaccinated, we usually recommend not to shower them for a week after and to avoid any other additional stressors during that period. It is also best to not bring them out for walks or interactions with other animals until they are fully vaccination.
It is normal if your furkid experiences some slight lethargy, a little appetite loss, and mild fever for about 2 to 3 days after the vaccination. These are the typical side effects of getting vaccinated.
However, please note that vomiting and diarrhoea are not normal. It is also not normal for the pet to have significant lethargy, substantial loss of appetite, and high fever, or if any symptoms persist for a prolonged period of time. Please contact your veterinarian immediately in such cases, or if in doubt.
Beyond Vaccines: A Comprehensive Approach
We also offer a range of preventative care services besides vaccinations to ensure that well-rounded protection for your pets, including:
• Puppy or kitten care: Those early months are crucial for your new furbaby’s development. We provide health checkups, vaccinations tailored to their age, and expert advice on nutrition, socialisation, and training.
• In-house vaccination titer testing: Unsure if your pet needs a booster vaccination? Vaccination titer testing is a simple blood test that measures your pet’s existing immunity to specific diseases. It helps determine if they need a booster shot or are already protected. We offer convenient in-house titre testing to determine their existing immunity levels, saving you unnecessary vaccinations.
• Pre-export health checks: Planning to travel or migrate overseas with your furkid? We can provide the necessary health checks and certificates to ensure a smooth and stress-free travel experience.
• Parasite prevention: Internal parasites such as heartworm and external parasites like fleas and ticks can pose serious health risks to your pet. We offer effective preventive medication to keep these pests at bay. Deworming prevents intestinal worms such as tapeworms, hookworms, roundworms, and so on. Flea and tick prevention prevents heartworm (spread by mosquitoes), fleas, and tick-borne diseases.
Flea and tick preventatives are typically available in topical form (to be applied on the pet’s skin) and as chewable tablets (usually for dogs). Our veterinary team can suggest the most appropriate approach for your pet.
Myths About Preventive Care
There are many misconceptions about preventive care for pets. We address and debunk the three common myths here:
1. “My pet is healthy, so they don’t need vaccinations.”
Even healthy pets can come into contact with viruses and bacteria. Vaccinations provide a safe and effective way to build their immunity, preventing serious illnesses.
2. “Vaccinations make pets sick.”
While mild side effects like slight lethargy or itch at the injection site can occur, they are temporary and far less serious than the diseases that vaccinations prevent and protect your pets from. Many of these diseases, such as leptospirosis, can be fatal.
3. “Indoor pets don’t need preventative care.”
Indoor pets can still be exposed to parasites and diseases through contact with humans, other pets who go outdoors, or even infected wildlife. For example, if you have a cat who stays strictly indoors, but your dog in the same household goes for daily walks outside, cat vaccination is still essential to protect against potential infections.
If in doubt, consulting your veterinarian is always the best way to address your specific concerns about your pet’s preventative care needs.
Have a question? WhatsApp our friendly Paws N’ Claws staff at 8891 4417 (Upper Thomson) or 8809 0787 (Yishun)!
Check out our blog article to learn more: Building a healthy life for pets: Essential preventive care
Fear-Free Veterinary Care
At Paws N’ Claws, our team is committed to the Fear-Free approach to veterinary care. We believe that your pet’s emotional health is as important as their physical health.
This evidence-based philosophy focuses on minimising stress and promoting a positive experience for your pet throughout their veterinary care journey with us. We employ various techniques, such as:
- Offering (healthy) treats, toys, petting, or brushing
- Minimising handling and restraint
- Using calming medications and pheromones
- Speaking in quiet, reassuring voices
- Blankets, towels, and calm music for a comfy environment
- Positive reinforcement
- Separating dogs from cats and other small animals from dogs
Learn more from our article: What is Fear-Free?
Chat With Us
At Paws N’ Claws Veterinary Surgery, we welcome all animals — including dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, hamsters, birds, and other exotic species.
Our friendly and knowledgeable team of veterinarians, nurses, and technicians will gladly address any questions you may have.
We believe in empowering pet owners with knowledge and understanding so you can make an informed decision about your pet’s well-being and healthcare. Whether you’re a first-time pet parent or a seasoned caregiver, we are here to support you every step of the way.
Have a question? WhatsApp us at 8891 4417 (Upper Thomson) or 8809 0787 (Yishun).
Alternatively, please fill in the form below to send us a query.
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