Puppy Wellness

A new puppy!  Congratulations! A puppy can be so much fun!

Puppies are very vulnerable to contagious diseases such as parvovirus. Until your puppy has completed a series of puppy visits and vaccines (usually at 16 weeks of age), please keep your puppy at home as much as possible. Avoid places where your puppy will encounter other dogs or their droppings. And, of course, make sure that any other  pets in your home are up to date on their wellness care!

Exams

Comprehensive physical exams are the foundation of good health. Your puppy's first exam should take place as soon as possible after adoption.  Your puppy should have exams every three-four weeks until he/she has completed his puppy wellness series at 16 weeks of age (or older). * Up to four exams may be needed if your puppy is very young at adoption.

Core Vaccines

DAPP Vaccine

DAPP (Distemper, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza & Parvovirus combination) vaccines should be administered every three - four weeks starting at 8 weeks of age. At least two boosters are needed, ending at 16 weeks or older.  * Up to 4 DAPP vaccines may be needed if your puppy is very young at adoption.

Rabies Vaccine

One rabies vaccine is needed at 16 weeks of age.

Bordetella

Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccine is needed if your  puppy will be going to puppy classes, a boarding kennel, the dog park, a groomer or going to other places where many dogs visit. Boosters are needed every 12 months.

Other Vaccines

We offer other vaccines such as lepto, and influenza. We tailor the use of these to the needs and lifestyle of your puppy.

Fleas & Ticks

Fleas and tick prevention is recommended year round.   It is much more cost effective to treat fleas before you have an infestation.   Some pets are allergic to flea bites and can get secondary skin infections due to licking, biting and scratching the affected area.

If your puppy eats a flea, he/she can get a tapeworm infestation.  Monthly flea & tick protection should begin at 8 weeks of age. 

Heartworm Preventative

Every dog should be on monthly heartworm preventative to protect against heartworms as well as intestinal parasites. Monthly heartworm prevention should begin between 8 & 12 weeks of age.  We will provide a puppy pack with a heartworm prevention tablet at your first visit.  The heartworm preventatives are weight specific so we will prescribe one monthly pill at each visit until the weight has stabilized. Then we can prescribe a 6 or 12 month supply.  Heartworm prevention is one of the easiest ways to protect your puppy.  Heartworms can be treated, but the treatment can be quite expensive.

Intestinal Parasites

Intestinal parasites are transferred to puppies from their mother through pregnancy and nursing.  Therefore, it is extremely common for your puppy to be affected. 

There are many different types of intestinal parasites so it is recommended that a fecal sample is examined at your puppy’s visit so we are able to determine the type of parasite and treat your puppy with a dewormer that is effective against that particular parasite.  Your puppy will receive a dose of heartworm and flea prevention at their first visit which also acts as a dewormer for the most common parasites.  After the puppy series is complete, we recommend checking a fecal sample annually.

Spay or Neuter

It is recommended to spay or neuter your pet at 6 months of age.

Timely spay or neuter prevents many serious medical (cancers, infections, etc.) and behavioral problems and can add years to your pet's life expectancy.

Dental Care

It is a good idea to brush your puppy's teeth daily.  Begin by using your finger to simply rub the teeth until the puppy becomes accustomed to your finger in the mouth.  Then use a toothbrush and some "doggie" toothpaste.  The toothpaste we carry is poultry flavored and generally well liked by our patients.  Healthy teeth will be your reward for your hard work!

Microchip

Permanent identification with a microchip helps ensure that your puppy will be returned to you if he or she is ever lost or stolen. Animal shelters routinely scan all pets they receive.  A microchip can be implanted at any time, but we usually do it at the time of spay or neuter. We use the PetLink microchip.