(503) 339-70654555 Liberty Rd S #120, Salem, OR 97302Hours
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Veterinary Services

Puppy & Kitten Care in Salem, OR

First-year exams, vaccines, parasite control, nutrition, and guidance for a healthy adult pet.

Bringing home a puppy or kitten is exciting, and it comes with a long checklist. Liberty Animal Hospital helps South Salem families start that first year with a full nose-to-tail exam, a clear vaccine and deworming schedule, and practical advice on nutrition, socialization, and behavior at our clinic on Liberty Rd S.

Early visits also help your pet learn that the hospital is a safe place. That investment pays off for every appointment that follows, whether the next stop is vaccinations, microchipping, preventative care, or planning spay and neuter. Dr. Kolby Virgin explains what is normal for the age, what needs watching, and what can wait so new owners leave with confidence instead of overwhelm.

We are on Liberty Rd S in South Salem. Call (503) 339-7065 to schedule a first visit soon after your pet comes home. We are a day clinic, not a 24-hour hospital. If a young pet collapses, struggles to breathe, or has uncontrolled bleeding after hours, seek a 24-hour ER. The nearest is WilVet Salem Emergency, 120 Ramsgate Square S, Salem, OR 97302, (503) 741-8858, open 24 hours.

First-Year Focus Areas

  • Full physical exams and growth checks
  • Age-appropriate vaccine series with mapped due dates
  • Parasite prevention and fecal testing
  • Nutrition and feeding schedules for growing bodies
  • Behavior and socialization guidance
  • Spay and neuter timing discussion
  • Microchipping when you are ready
  • House-training and litter-box troubleshooting support at a high level
  • Dental care habits started early with age-appropriate guidance

First-year care is a series, not a single visit. Missing boosters or delaying parasite prevention leaves gaps when puppies and kittens are most vulnerable. We map the calendar with you so Salem families know what happens next.

What to Bring to the First Visit

  • Records from the breeder, shelter, rescue, or prior clinic
  • A stool sample if requested when you book
  • A list of current food, treats, and any preventives already started
  • Your top questions (no question is off limits)
  • Notes about cough, diarrhea, lethargy, or appetite changes since coming home

If you adopted recently, bring any vaccine certificates even if they look incomplete. Incomplete paperwork is common, and fixable, once we know what was already given.

A Typical Pediatric Visit

  1. History and concerns.

    We ask how home life is going: appetite, stools, energy, sleep, and any scary moments with other pets or children.

  2. Full exam.

    Dr. Virgin examines your puppy or kitten head to tail, discussing what is normal for the age and what needs follow-up.

  3. Vaccines and prevention.

    Due vaccinations are given when your pet is healthy enough. We review parasite risk and pharmacy preventives sized for growing bodies.

  4. Plan the next visit.

    You leave knowing what happened today, what is due next, and when to call about urgent care concerns during open hours.

Looking Ahead: Surgery, ID, and Travel

As your pet grows, we discuss anesthesia planning for spay and neuter, permanent ID through microchipping, and timing for health certificates when travel is on the horizon. Call (503) 339-7065 if your puppy or kitten suddenly seems ill; mild issues can be evaluated during open hours, while severe distress after hours needs a 24-hour emergency hospital. The nearest is WilVet Salem Emergency, 120 Ramsgate Square S, Salem, OR 97302, (503) 741-8858, open 24 hours.

First-Year Care Close to Home

New puppies and kittens in Salem and South Salem need a clear map for vaccines, parasite control, nutrition, socialization guidance, and spay and neuter timing. We see first-year patients on Liberty Rd S. Call (503) 339-7065 soon after your new pet comes home. Early visits build trust and reduce the chance of preventable illness turning into an urgent care scramble.

Why Choose Liberty Animal Hospital for Puppy and Kitten Care

  • Owner-led care with Dr. Kolby Virgin, DVM, in the Sunnyslope Center on Liberty Rd S
  • Clear, structured explanations of findings and next steps
  • On-site lab, digital X-rays, ultrasound, and pharmacy under one roof
  • Structured first-year plans with clear booster timing
  • Nutrition, prevention, and surgery timing discussed early

FAQs about Puppy and Kitten Care in South Salem

Common questions from pet owners booking puppy and kitten care at Liberty Animal Hospital on Liberty Rd S.

Call Us (503) 339-7065