đž Schedule Your New Pet Exam Within the First Week
Even healthy-looking pets benefit from a complete veterinary examination shortly after adoption. Early care helps identify hidden health concerns and creates the best foundation for a lifetime of wellness.
Welcome Home, New Best Friend!
From Dr. Jan Crowe
Congratulations!
Whether you've adopted a wiggly puppy, a fearless kitten, or an older pet who's finally found the family they deserve, you've just started one of life's greatest adventures.
Your new best friend probably doesn't know your house rules yet. They may not know where the food bowl is, why everyone keeps taking pictures of them, or why the couch suddenly seems so interesting.
But one thing they do know is that they've landed somewhere safeâand that's a wonderful place to begin.
Schedule Your First Veterinary Visit
Even if your new pet appears perfectly healthy, I always recommend scheduling a veterinary exam within the first week or two after adoption.
A thorough nose-to-tail examination allows us to identify any hidden health concerns, review previous medical records, and create a personalized plan for keeping your new companion healthy for years to come.
During your visit, we'll:
- Perform a complete physical examination
- Review any available medical records
- Discuss personalized vaccines and preventive care
- Check for intestinal parasites if needed
- Recommend flea, tick, and heartworm prevention
- Talk about nutrition, growth, and maintaining a healthy weight
- Answer all of your questionsâbecause every new pet owner has them!
- Let your pet get to know Creekside and our crew
The First Few Weeks
Here's something I tell almost every family:
Give your new pet a little grace.
Everything in their world has changed. New home. New smells. New routines. New people.
Some pets settle in by dinner time. Others need a few weeks before they truly relax.
That's perfectly normal.
Keep life simple at first.
- Create a quiet place where they can retreat and rest.
- Stick to consistent feeding and walking schedules.
- Introduce children and other pets gradually.
- Celebrate the little victoriesâand don't expect perfection overnight.
Remember, you're building trust long before you're teaching commands.
A Healthy Start Leads to a Healthy Life
Preventive care is one of the greatest gifts you can give your pet.
Routine wellness exams allow us to catch small problems before they become big ones and keep your companion feeling their best through every stage of life.
We'll work with you to create a plan that includes:
- Wellness examinations
- Vaccinations
- Heartworm prevention
- Flea and tick protection
- Dental care
- Nutrition guidance
- Routine laboratory screening when appropriate
Every pet is different, so we'll tailor recommendations to fit your companion's age, lifestyle, and individual needs.
No Question Is Too Small
One of my favorite parts of seeing new pet owners is answering questions.
Should my puppy be doing that?
Why does my kitten zoom through the house at midnight?
How much should I feed?
Am I doing this right?
The answer is almost always, "You're doing better than you think."
If something is worrying you, ask. We'd much rather answer a simple question today than help solve a bigger problem later.
Welcome to the Creekside Family
Thank you for choosing adoptionâand thank you for trusting Creekside Vet Clinic to care for your newest family member.
One of the greatest joys of my profession is watching puppies grow into beloved family dogs, kittens become confident adult cats, and adopted pets discover what it feels like to truly be home and loved.
We can't wait to meet you both.
We look forward to helping your new best friend enjoy a lifetime of health, happiness, and unconditional love. Welcome to the Creekside Family!
Thank you for choosing adoptionâand thank you for trusting Creekside Vet Clinic with your pet's healthcare. We look forward to meeting you both!
In support of adoptions, we offer a FREE first visit wellness exam to pets adopted at Dorchester Paws and CAS (Berkeley) if scheduled within the first two weeks of the adoption.