Most puppies will visit the veterinarian at six to eight weeks of age for a health exam and to begin vaccinations and parasite treatment/preventives. This is also a great time for you to discuss your puppy’s vaccination schedule as well as behavior and training with your veterinarian. It is important to follow your veterinarian's recommended exam schedule to ensure that your puppy receives proper protection and that you receive timely and appropriate advice.

When should my puppy be vaccinated?

Fortunately, your veterinarian can help in the prevention of several diseases by vaccinating your puppy. To be effective, vaccines must be given as a series of timely injections. Ideally, they are given at 8,12, and 16 weeks of age, but the recommended vaccines and schedule of injections may vary depending on your puppy’s individual needs.

The core vaccination schedule will protect your puppy from common diseases, including distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and rabies. The first three are generally included in one injection that is given at 8, 12, and 16 weeks. Some puppies will receive an additional booster vaccination at 20 weeks of age if your Veterinarian finds it necessary. The rabies vaccine is given at 16 weeks of age. If you would like additional information on these diseases or viruses, you may request additional handouts.

"The core vaccination schedule will protect your puppy from common diseases, including distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and rabies."

Other optional vaccinations are appropriate in certain situations. These may include Bordetella, Lyme, Leptospirosis, Rattle snake and Influenza vaccines if there are risks of those diseases based on your geographic location and lifestyle. Your veterinarian will help you determine which vaccines are recommended based on risk factors for contracting these diseases.  For our geographic area, Leptospirosis vaccine is recommenced. 

What is leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease of dogs and other mammals that primarily affects the liver or kidneys. Leptospirosis can be transmitted to people, so owners of dogs that may have the disease should avoid contact between the owner's bare skin and their dog's urine and wear rubber gloves when cleaning up any areas the dog may have soiled. Any areas where the dog has urinated should be disinfected. The organism is readily killed by household disinfectants or a dilute bleach solution.  If you feel ill, contact your doctor for further advice. The bacteria (Leptospira) that cause leptospirosis, commonly called leptospires, thrive in water and have a helical or spiral shape with a characteristic hook on one or both ends. There are many species and serovars (strains) of Leptospira, some of which cause disease in dogs. Leptospirosis in cats is very rare and is not associated with clinical disease. 

How are dogs infected?

Leptospira bacteria are carried mainly by rats and other rodents but can be carried by almost any mammal, including people. IInfected or recovered carrier dogs may act as a source of the infection. Ingestion of infected urine or rodent-contaminated garbage is the most important means of transmission, but some forms of the bacteria can penetrate damaged or thin skin. For instance, when dogs swim in contaminated water, they may become infected through their skin. The incubation period (from infection to onset of clinical signs) is usually four to twelve days. Leptospirosis is uncommon in areas where widespread vaccination of dogs is routine. However, disease outbreaks are still seen from time to time because vaccines protect only against the four most prevalent serovars of Leptospira. Leptospirosis was more common in rural, wooded areas; however, it is now commonly found in urban settings.

How can leptospirosis be prevented?

The vaccine for leptospirosis is not always part of the routine vaccination program for all dogs. Your veterinarian will consider the risks and options for your pet. Re-vaccinating annually is often needed to maintain the best immunity. The four-serovar vaccine is currently the only vaccine recommended by experts.

Modern vaccines are highly effective and safe. Many pets experience mild side effects following vaccination, like those that humans experience. Other less common but serious side effects can occur minutes to hours after vaccination. Vaccine reactions can be controlled medically, so if you are concerned, call your veterinarian immediately.

Why does my puppy need more than one vaccination?

When a puppy nurses his mother, he receives a temporary form of immunity through the colostrum; the milk that is produced in the first days after puppies are born. Colostrum contains high levels of maternal antibodies that can provide passive protection against diseases that the mother has been exposed to, either naturally or by vaccination. This passive immunity is of benefit during the first few weeks of your puppy's life, but at some point, those levels decline, and your puppy must develop his own active long-lasting immunity. Vaccinations are used to provide this long-lasting protection.

As long as the mother's antibodies are present, vaccinations are unable to stimulate the puppy's immune system because the mother's antibodies neutralize the vaccine.

Many factors determine when a puppy will be able to respond to vaccinations. These include the level of immunity in the mother at the time of birth, how many antibodies the nursing puppy absorbed, and the general health of the puppy. Since it is unknown when an individual puppy will lose its short-term maternal immunity, a series of vaccinations are given. The goal is for at least two of these to fall into the time frame when the puppy has lost immunity from its mother and has not yet been exposed to disease. A single vaccination, even if effective, is not likely to stimulate long-term immunity, which is critically important.

The rabies vaccine is an exception to this; one injection given at the right time is enough to produce long-term immunity due to the lack of maternal antibody interference.How can I provide permanent identification for my dog?

The most widely recommended pet identification device is the microchip. This tiny device is implanted with a needle, much like administering an injection. The microchip will contain important information about your dog and how to contact you. A special scanner can detect these chips; veterinary hospitals, humane societies, and animal shelters have these scanners. A national registry assists in the identification and return of microchipped pets throughout the United States and Canada. The microchip can be quickly implanted during any regular veterinary appointment.

                                                              "The most widely recommended pet identification device is the microchip."

Do all puppies have worms?

Intestinal parasites are common in puppies. Puppies can become infected with some types of intestinal worms before they are born or later through their mother's milk. Microscopic examination of a stool sample often reveals the presence of most intestinal parasites. This exam is recommended for all puppies, especially during their first few veterinary visits.

Even if a stool sample is not obtained, the routine use of a deworming medication that is safe and effective against the common worms that affect dogs is recommended. This protocol is followed because deworming medication has little, if any, side effects and because your puppy does not pass worm eggs every day; therefore, the stool sample may not detect worms that are present but not shedding eggs. Additionally, some of these intestinal parasites can be transmitted to humans.

It is important that deworming is repeated because it only kills adult worms. Within three to four weeks, the larval stages of the intestinal parasites will become adults and need to be removed. Dogs remain susceptible to re-infection with hookworms, whipworms, and roundworms throughout their lives. Periodic deworming throughout a dog's life is generally recommended for these common intestinal parasites.

Tapeworms are another common intestinal parasite. Tapeworms require an intermediate host, meaning that they are not passed from dog to dog. Depending on the type of tapeworm, puppies become infected with them when they swallow fleas or when they eat contaminated raw meat, infected mice, birds, or rabbits.

"Tapeworms require an intermediate host, meaning that they are not passed from dog to dog."

Dogs infected with tapeworms will intermittently pass small segments of the worms in their stool. The segments are white and look like grains of rice or cucumber seeds. They are about an eighth of an inch (3 mm) long and may be seen crawling on the surface of the stool. They may also stick to the hair under the tail. If that occurs, they will dry out, shrink to about half their size, and become golden or light brown in color. If you observe tapeworm segments on your dog's stool, your veterinarian may want to assess it so that the appropriate medication for treatment and prevention can be prescribed.

What should I do if my puppy has fleas?

Contrary to popular belief, most of the flea life cycle is spent away from the dog, as only adult fleas live on an animal. The egg, larva, and pupa feed and develop in the environment. Therefore, flea control may also include treatment of the environment, as well as the pet. Many of the flea control products that are safe on adult dogs are not safe for puppies less than two to three months of age. Be sure that any flea product you use is labeled as safe for puppies. Consult with your veterinarian to determine which flea medication is appropriate for your puppy.

How do I safely trim my dog’s nails?

In most cases, it will be easier to trim your dog’s nails if you have someone who can help by restraining your dog. Keeping your dog still and minimizing wiggles will reduce the likelihood of you accidentally cutting a nail too short and damaging the quick.

First, take your dog’s paw in your hand and examine the nails. If your dog has light-colored nails, you should be able to see the quick within the nail. Your goal is to cut approximately 2-3 mm away from the quick, to avoid causing your dog pain. If your dog has dark nails, you may not be able to see the quick. In this case, trim just the very tip off of the nail. Through a series of small clips, removing 1-2 mm of nail with each clip, you can gradually work the nail back to a shorter length while minimizing the likelihood of significantly damaging the quick. Aim to make your final cut at or near the point where the nail begins to curve, but stop sooner if you encounter the quick. In some dogs, especially those who have not received regular nail trims, the quick may be grown out almost to the end of the nail.

If your dog has dewclaws (smaller nails on the middle side of the paw), do not forget to trim them. Dewclaws do not come in contact with the ground; therefore, they often become overgrown and can even curve around until they are growing into the paw pad.

What should I do if I accidentally hit the quick and my dog’s nail bleeds? 

Despite your best efforts, it is possible that you will occasionally hit a quick when trimming nails. Hopefully, you are making small cuts and you only cut the very tip of the quick, resulting in minimal discomfort to your dog and just a small drop of blood. If this happens, you can apply a small amount of styptic powder (available at any pet supply store) to the end of your dog’s nail to stop the bleeding. If you do not have any styptic powder, you can use flour or cornstarch.

What should I feed my puppy?

Diet is extremely important during the growing months of a dog's life. Your puppy should be fed commercially available food that is formulated for puppy development and is made by a national dog food company (not a generic or local brand). This should be fed until your puppy is about twelve to eighteen months of age, depending on his breed and size.

Pet food labels contain important information. AAFCO (The Association of American Feed Control Officials) has developed guidelines for the nutritional needs of pets at different life stages and for how nutrition information is to be displayed. Compliant pet food companies can print corresponding AAFCO statements on their packaging in Canada and the US. At a minimum, look for puppy foods with this statement:

“BRAND AND DIET NAME is formulated to meet the nutrition levels established by the AAFCO Puppy Food Nutrient Profiles for growth.” 

Some pet food brands will boast this statement without formally testing their diets to prove that they do in fact meet the guidelines. You will know a brand has gone the extra mile if the statement reads:

“Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that BRAND AND DIET NAME provides complete and balanced nutrition for growing puppies.” 

Your veterinarian can help you select the most appropriate diet for your puppy. Your puppy’s caloric (energy) needs will also change throughout the development phase (especially after being spayed or neutered); your veterinarian can guide you on feeding portions for healthy weight management.

                                    "The label should state that the food is intended for growth and/or development and is complete and balanced."

How often should I feed my puppy?

There are several "right" ways to feed puppies. The most popular method is commonly called "meal feeding". This means that the puppy is fed at specific times of the day. A measured amount of food should be offered four times per day for puppies between five and twelve weeks of age. What is not eaten within thirty minutes is taken away. If the food is eaten within three to four minutes, the quantity is probably not sufficient. Puppies fed in this manner generally begin to cut back on one of those meals by three to four months of age and perhaps another as they get older. Usually, the puppy will appear less hungry at one of its meals; if this occurs for several days in a row, it is time to discontinue that meal. Two to three meals per day is the optimal feeding schedule for adult dogs.

"Free-choice feeding" means that food is available at the time and it has many downsides. Most dogs tend to overeat and become overweight or obese or they become fussy eaters. If your puppy responds well to meal feeding, there is no reason to provide free-choice feeding.

What are heartworms?

Heartworm's are important parasites, especially in climates where mosquitoes are prevalent. They live in the dog's bloodstream and cause major damage to the heart and lungs that can result in death. Heartworm's are transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. Heartworm preventives are dosed according to your dog's weight. As your dog’s weight increases, the dosage should also increase. They are very safe and effective when used as directed. Many of these products also protect your dog against certain intestinal parasites and/or external parasites, such as fleas and ticks.

What are ear mites?

Ear mites are tiny parasites that live in the ear canal of dogs and cats. The most common sign of an ear mite infection is excessive and persistent scratching of the ears that can result in injury if not addressed promptly. Sometimes the ears will appear dirty because of a black material in the ear canal. The tiny mites can be seen with magnification, either directly in the ear with an otoscope or by examining a sample of the ear discharge under a microscope. Ear mites spend the majority of their lives within the protection of the ear canal, and transmission requires direct contact with an infected animal. Ear mites are more common in cats than in dogs.

In dogs, ear infections are the most common cause of a dark discharge in the ear canals. It is important that your puppy is examined to differentiate between an ear infection and ear mites. It is inappropriate for a veterinarian to dispense any medication without an accurate diagnosis.

Why should I have my dog spayed/neutered?

Spaying is the surgical removal of the uterus and the ovaries and eliminates the dog's estrus (heat) cycles. In an intact dog, these heat periods result in about two to three weeks of vaginal bleeding and discharge approximately every six months. During this time, male dogs are attracted, even from a distance. Male dogs will go over, around, and through doors or fences to reach a female in heat.

"...it is well documented that intact female dogs have a significant risk of developing breast cancer and/or uterine infections."

Apart from the risk of unplanned pregnancies, it is well documented that intact female dogs have a significant risk of developing breast cancer and/or uterine infections. Spaying your dog before she experiences her first estrus cycle has three benefits:

• It eliminates the risk of unplanned pregnancy and helps control the problem of dog overpopulation.
• It eliminates any possibility of uterine disease.
• It virtually eliminates any chance of developing breast cancer.

Neutering or castration is the surgical removal of a dog’s testicles. Intact male dogs tend to be more territorial towards other male dogs and are prone to developing prostatic disease and testosterone-induced tumors. Neutering will prevent or lower the risk of these problems. Additionally, it is an effective method for controlling the overpopulation problem. Neutering can be performed at 6 months of age and up. It is reccommended that large breed dogs be spayed/neutered between 1 and 2 years of age for bone development. 

Your veterinarian will discuss the best time to spay or neuter your dog with you.

Food & plants to keep away from your puppy. 

* Raisens/Grapes * Alcohol * Avocado *Chocolate * Coffee * Caffeine * Citrus * Nuts * Dairy * Onions * Garlic * Chives * Raw/Undercooked Meat, Eggs & Bones * Salty Foods * Xylitol * Yeast Dough * Mushrooms 

* Lillies *Philodendrans *Oleander * Aloe  *Chrysanthamum * Hyacinth * Jade Plant * Sago Palm * Daffodil * Asparagus/ Foxtail /Emerald Ferns * Pathos  * Elephant ear * Bird of paradise