August is NBC's Clear the Shelters Month, and if your family decides to add a new furry friend this summer, here are some important things to discuss with your vet at their first check-up:

Ideally, your new family member would have a wellness exam at the veterinarian within the first week of coming home, especially if you are introducing them to a home with other animals. Prior to their first appointment, the vet office will likely call for your pet's previous medical records, so make sure you keep any records that the shelter gives you in a safe spot. I suggest uploading the records to a computer or designating a file folder or binder for your pet. These medical records will help the veterinarian know what vaccines and medications that your pet has already received and any medical conditions that they will need to monitor. In the case of any previous medical conditions, your vet may suggest adding in different diagnostic tests like bloodwork or radiographs. 

It is important to get your new pet set up with preventatives while at their first vet appointment. In Georgia, we recommend that pets are on flea, tick, heartworm, and internal parasite prevention year round. Before starting these preventions, it is important to get a fecal test and heartworm test on your pet to make sure that they do not have any pre-existing conditions that require additional treatment. 

If your pet is not spayed or neutered, it is important to have a discussion with your vet about whether a spay or neuter surgical procedure should be planned for your pet. In some cases, shelters require you to schedule a spay or neuter surgery with your veterinarian within a certain time period of your adoption. If your pet is a puppy or kitten, your veterinarian may recommend waiting to spay or neuter until the patient is older. This most frequently is discussed with pets under 6 months to a year of age. 

With feline family members, there are several diseases that should be tested for before they are introduced to any other cats. Most shelters do feline blood tests, but if your cat has not been tested, your vet will likely recommend a FeLV (feline leukemia virus) and FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) feline retrovirus blood test. FeLV is spread in saliva among cats that live together or fight, but can also be transmitted from a mother to her kittens. FIV is spread via bite wounds and transmission between cats that live together. It is uncommon without fighting. If your cat tests positive for either of these diseases, your veterinarian will discuss the effect these diseases will have on your pet's health and the best ways to keep your pet from spreading disease. 

As a proud owner of a shelter dog, I fully encourage participating in Clear the Shelters Month. Even if you cannot bring another four-legged family member into your house at this time, consider donating to your local shelter to allow them to continue the work that they do for local animals. And if you do bring home a new pet this summer, whether it is from a shelter, a pet store, a parking lot, or a breeder, please bring your pet in for a welcome home wellness visit at Comer Vet so that we can get them set up for success!

Planning to welcome a puppy or kitten into your home this month? You’re going to LOVE our August special!

Hold one of your puppy or kitten's required vaccine appointments in August, and save 10% on their spay or neuter procedure!

Here's how it works: This offer is available for pets that complete all required puppy/kitten vaccine and booster appointments at Comer Veterinary Hospital during their vet's recommended timeline, and at least one such appointment takes place in August 2025. Spay/neuter discount will be applied at the time of surgery, based on the timeline recommended by your vet. Pet parents who choose to delay a spay/neuter past their vet's recommended timeline will not be eligible for this discount.

We’ve got some exciting news to share!

Comer Vet has a BRAND-NEW website! If it’s been a minute since you’ve visited us online, you can check it out here.

The August photo contest theme is “Candid Camera”! We’d love to see the silly, cute, or lighthearted moments of your pet that you caught on camera. Maybe it’s your cat sleeping in a weird position, your dog caught mid-yawn, your pet hognose snake “playing dead” … see where we’re going here?!

Take a horizontal photo of your pet(s) that showcases this theme and send it to us by Aug. 23! Entries can be submitted via DM on the Comer Vet Facebook page or Instagram. Voting will run the 26th through 30th.

This month on the Comer Vet Blog …

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