Congratulations, on taking the first step to having a wonderful companion and friend. It is important to do everything you can to ensure they grow up strong, healthy and happy in order to have your faithful companion around as long as you can. Health care is essential through the entirety of your pet’s life. The information below is basic health care for the first year of your pet’s life.
It is essential that your puppy have several examinations within the first year of its life. Examinations will address many different areas to ensure the health of your puppy is excellent. During these examinations the doctor will discuss such issues as micro-chipping, spaying/neutering, pre-op bloodwork, behavior and nutrition and can recommend training options. Micro-chipping your pet is an effective tool in finding your puppy if it ever gets lost. The blood test is recommended because it will show any kidney or liver abnormalities that could effect how the anesthesia is processed. This helps the doctor determine if the anesthesia needs to be adjusted. Also, the veterinarian will discuss the first year examination schedule with you based on the first puppy exam.
Puppy Vaccinations:
Just like children, puppies need regular vaccinations to keep them healthy. It is very important that you keep to the vaccination schedule set by your doctors as closely as possible. The timing of the vaccines is critical to the effectiveness of the vaccines. If not given correctly your puppy may be unprotected. It is important that your puppy receive their vaccinations from a licensed veterinarian. Buying vaccines and administering them yourself is highly discouraged. The vaccines may not have been handled or administered properly and may be ineffective. Most grooming and boarding facilities will not accept any vaccinations given by anyone but a licensed veterinarian.
DHPPC (Distermper, Hepatitis, Parvo, Parainfluenza and Corona Virus):
Given at 6, 9, 12, & 15 weeks. It is very important to keep on track with this vaccination. Parvo, a common disease, is a very serious and often fatal disease affecting puppies that are either not vaccinated or ineffectively vaccinated within the first year.
Bordetella (Kennel Cough):
Given at 9, 12, and15 weeks and again at 10 months. Kennel cough is an air born virus and can be caught in any number of places where other dogs are. The Bordetella vaccine is required by most groomers and kennels.
Rabies:
Given at 15-16 weeks.
Parasite Control:
Fleas, ticks, intestinal worms and mosquitoes (which transmit heartworm) are the most common parasites that affect our pets. Many of these carry serious diseases that can be transmitted not only to dogs (especially puppies), but to humans as well. It is very important to have your puppy tested for these parasites and start prevention immediately. The doctor will discuss the many different options in controlling all types of parasites that may affect the health of your pet as well as you and your family.
Pre-op Bloodwork
Though the anesthetics we use are safe for your puppy, potential complications can still arise if your pup’s internal organs are not functioning properly. The anesthetics are metabolized by the liver and excreted by the kidneys as long as they are functioning properly. A normal physical exam does not give the total picture of the function of internal organs. For these reasons we recommend doing pre-op bloodwork. The bloodwork will show the functioning capabilities of the kidneys, liver and a complete blood count. With the information that the blood tests provide the doctor can form a baseline, modify the anesthetic regimen, forgo or postpone the surgical procedure to ensure your puppy’s safety.