Puppy Care

Please bring all pertinent medical paperwork and a fresh (within 8 hours) stool sample with you to your first appointment.

What we will do during your visit:

Dog Vaccinations

Puppies need a series of vaccines to build strong immunity against common illnesses. The first round of vaccines starts at 6 to 8 weeks old, with boosters needed every 3 to 4 weeks. The puppy vaccination series is usually completed with a rabies vaccine at 4 months of age. At that point, vaccines and heartworm testing become an annual event.

There are an abundance of vaccines available that are not routinely necessary. “Core” vaccines are recommended for most pets, and “non-core” vaccines are reserved for pets with unique needs. Together we will decide on a vaccination schedule that best suits your puppy.

Heartworm Protection

Heartworm is a parasite that your puppy can get from mosquito bites. All puppies should be started on heartworm preventation during initial vet visits. These medications prevent heartworm disease as well as the common intestinal parasites like roundworms and hookworms. We recommend testing your dog for heartworm disease every year with your annual visit, a recommendation that is supported by the American Heartworm Society.

Flea and Tick Prevention for Your Puppy

In addition to being annoying and gross, fleas and ticks can transmit a number of parasites or pathogens that can develop into serious and potentially life threatening diseases. Flea allergies and related skin infections are also a common sequela of these parasites. Fleas and ticks can easily be avoided with appropriate monthly preventatives. We will go over these options during your initial visits to find the right coverage for your puppy.