Typically, kittens receive the feline distemper vaccine, which protects against respiratory diseases, as a core vaccination at the 12-week visit. The rabies vaccine is also given at this time. It's recommended that all kittens receive the feline leukemia vaccine, regardless of whether they will be indoor or outdoor cats, as there are theories that the vaccine can offer lifelong protection.

It's recommended that your kitten has their first visit around five to six weeks of age or whenever you adopt them. After that, they should visit the veterinarian every three weeks for physical exams, intestinal parasite screenings, and vaccinations until they're about 16 to 20 weeks old. After that, annual visits are recommended.

It depends on your specific questions and concerns. Common questions include topics such as behavior, feeding, vaccine protocols, and heartworm, flea, and tick prevention. If this is your first time caring for a kitten, your veterinarian will cover all relevant topics. It's a good idea to write down your questions beforehand, so you don't forget them during the appointment. Your veterinarian wants to ensure you leave the appointment feeling informed and empowered to care for your kitten.

At the first veterinary visit, your kitten will receive a physical exam. Your veterinarian will look for any congenital, genetic, or developmental issues, as well as check for external parasites like fleas or ticks. They will assess the quality of your kitten's coat, listen to their heart and lungs, and conduct a general assessment. An intestinal parasite screen, or fecal, will be conducted to check for worms. A small blood sample will be taken during the first or second visit to screen for feline leukemia virus or feline AIDS, which can be contracted from the environment or their mother.

If your dog has worms, their overall health can be significantly affected. They may experience blood loss, become very lethargic, lose weight, and suffer from chronic gastrointestinal issues. It is crucial to seek veterinary help if you suspect your dog has worms.

Depending on the type of worm, they can last for several months or even longer. However, it is expected that you would notice some external signs of worm infestation by that point.

Worms are extremely common in dogs, especially in puppies that have not been dewormed enough or stray dogs. However, even pets that have been in a good home for years can develop worms if they are not on a prevention treatment.

Adult worms are often visible in your dog's stool. You might see long, thin white worms or thicker, flat worms, which are more likely to be tapeworms. However, worm eggs are not visible to the naked eye, so it's essential to have your dog tested at the vet to detect worms before they reach the adult stage.

Worms can definitely cause pain and discomfort to your dog. They can lead to chronic gastrointestinal issues, inflammation of the intestines, irritation, blood loss, and overall fatigue. Dogs with worms often fail to gain weight as they should.

Your dog can get worms through two main ways: not being on a prevention treatment and exposure to an environment with worms. For example, if your dog has access to another dog's feces with worms in it, they can become infected. Additionally, dogs can get tapeworms through fleas if they are not on a good flea prevention treatment.