In January, veterinarians begin to see new Christmas pets for checkups, vaccinations and other needed preventive health care.

It’s extremely important, and sometimes a matter of life or death, for owners to have a new pet examined by a veterinarian within the first few days after they come home. The doctor can check the pet for any pre-existing problems and formulate a proper preventive health care plan to make sure the pet stays healthy in the future.

There are several steps in the new-pet evaluation. This begins with the previous health history of the pet, including any vaccinations and dewormings it has had. Next are the physical examination and any diagnostic tests that might be required, such as tests for intestinal parasites and heartworms. Any needed booster vaccinations can be given, health problems that are uncovered can be dealt with and a future health care plan can be developed.

The doctor and his staff can provide counseling on nutrition, behavior and training for the pet and answer any other questions the owner may have. If a serious problem is identified that the doctor believes will cause a major health risk for the pet, the new owner will be much more likely to get things straightened out with the seller if it’s taken care of within a day or two of the purchase, as opposed to several weeks down the road.

The need for properly timed vaccinations for puppies and kittens cannot be overemphasized. These small creatures have relatively weak immune systems and are susceptible to infectious diseases until the vaccination series is completed.

Even though we think of parvovirus disease in dogs as mainly a warm-weather problem, we diagnosed a case in a puppy last week.

Testing for intestinal parasites in new pets is also very important. A high percentage of puppies and kittens will have one or more types of intestinal parasites, some of which can be passed to humans in addition to causing problems for the pet.

Your pet’s doctor finds it much more satisfying to help owners keep their healthy pets healthy through planned preventive health care than to have to snatch a pet back from the jaws of death by treating a disease that could be prevented through vaccinations or timely deworming. However, that preventive health care will only happen if you take your pet in to see the doctor before it is ill.