Healthcare

Even if your puppy is not due for his first vaccines, it is recommended to have him examined within a day or two after you get him. Be sure to take any prior medical records and a stool sample with you on your puppy’s first visit.

Your puppy will need to receive “core” vaccines on a particular schedule, which include distemper, adenovirus/hepatitis, and parvovirus (given together in a single vaccine often called “distemper”, DHPP, DHLPP, or DAP) and rabies. Puppies will need several “boosters” to load the immune system when they’re young, starting at 8 weeks old and repeated 3-4 weeks apart, with the final vaccine of the distemper series given at 16 weeks of age. For rabies, a single vaccine is given between 12 and 16 weeks. Depending on your puppy’s lifestyle and where you live, additional vaccines such as bordatella, lyme, leptosporosis, and venom vaccines may be recommended.

The distemper combination (DHLPP, DHPP, DAP) protects your puppy from several viral and bacterial diseases, some of which can be fatal (parvovirus) and all of which are contagious to other dogs. Leptosporosis (the L in the DHLPP version), is not a core vaccine, but is against a bacterial disease that can be transmitted to humans. Depending on the disease, there are several body systems that may be affected including the respiratory tract, digestive tract, nervous system, liver, kidneys, blood vessels and heart. After the initial puppy series, the vaccine is given on a yearly or every 3 year schedule depending on the type that is used.

Rabies is a fatal infection which affects the central nervous system and it is transmitted by the bite of an infected animal. There is no testing for rabies until the animal has died. Most states have laws requiring all dogs, cats and ferrets have a current rabies vaccine. Some states require yearly vaccination while others require every 3 years. Check with your veterinarian or local government for requirements in your area. Rabies can affect all mammals and humans.

The bordetella vaccine protects your dog from airborne bacteria that cause “kennel cough”. This vaccine is recommended for any dogs that will be boarding, groomed, attend puppy or obedience classes or frequent any areas where high concentrations of dogs may be. This vaccine is given during the initial puppy series, boostered once and then given every 6 months to 1 year depending of the type given. It should be noted that this vaccine protects against the most common bacteria causing symptoms, however there are some strains that may still affect your dog. Compare this to our flu vaccines, where sometimes there are strains that can still cause illness.

Lyme vaccine protects your dog from a multi-systemic disease spread by infected ticks. If you live in an area that has a high tick population, live or spend a lot of time in wooded areas or travel with your dog, this vaccine is highly recommended. You can give this vaccine during his puppy series and it will need to be boostered once, then is given yearly.

In certain areas where snakes and other venomous creatures reside, there may be vaccines available to prevent life threatening illness. Discuss this option with your veterinarian if you live in one of these areas or will be traveling to one.

Many puppies contract intestinal worms before birth and while nursing. Normally puppies are given deworming medication at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks of age, regardless of whether a fecal sample tests positive. The most common types of intestinal worms are roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms. The larvae of many of these worms can affect people, most often children, and other pets. Monthly oral preventatives and treatments are available to prevent infestations, or you can deworm your puppy every six months after his initial deworming series.

Heartworms come from mosquito bites and all puppies are at risk for exposure when they go outdoors for walks or to eliminate. If your puppy lives at very high altitudes, consistently cold temperatures or exclusively indoor, he may not need preventative. Some puppies will need preventative all year round and others only during the warmer months. Discuss your dog's individual risk with your veterinarian.

It is generally recommended to have your puppy altered prior to the onset of puberty to prevent medical and behavioral issues. Depending on their size, onset can be from 4 months to a year. Small breed dogs usually enter puberty earlier than large or giant breed dogs. To be on the safe side, spaying or neutering should be done around 5-6 months. There is much debate as to whether altering at this age causes health issues later on. At this time, there are no reputable studies to back up this theory, but there is significant evidence of the health risks associated with waiting much longer and risking the dog entering heat or reaching puberty before neutering.

Microchipping is advised for all pets. The procedure is quick and practically painless, and is often done at the time of spaying/neutering. A microchip will provide your puppy with a permanent identification method. Tags and collars can fall off, but a microchip will stay in place for life. Just remember to update your contact information through your microchip company any time you move or get a new phone number!