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A NEW PUPPY!!
As you welcome the new addition to your family, here are some health tips we feel are helpful. ENJOY!!
EXAMINATIONS:
Monthly, from about two to five months of age, your puppy will come in for a physical examination. The pup’s weight, body and coat condition will be monitored; the eyes, ears, teeth and gums, heart, lungs and abdomen will be examined. If your puppy is judged to be in good health, a vaccination booster will be administered if needed. In addition to maintaining your puppy’s wellbeing, we are also happy to demonstrate nail trimming, ear cleaning, and dental care. We can also address issues such as pet insurance options, nutrition, and training, as well as answer any specific questions you may have.
VACCINATIONS: Pet Vet follows the American Animal Hospital Association’s 2006 Canine
Vaccination Guidelines:
- Core Vaccines – Recommended for All Puppies/Dogs:
A. Canine Distemper (DHP): Start at 6-8 weeks of age. Booster every 3 to 4 weeks until 14-16 weeks of age or older. Every puppy should receive a minimum of 3 vaccines. Booster 1 year later and then every 3 years.
D=Distemper: A highly contagious viral disease. Can cause a fatal diarrhea and may also cause respiratory or neurological signs.
H = Hepatitis: A viral infection of the liver. Can also affect the respiratory system.
P = Parvoviris: A highly contagious viral disease which can cause severe vomiting and/or diarrhea. It is often fatal in puppies and older dogs.
B. Rabies: Administered at 4 months of age or older. Booster 1 year later and then yearly or every 3 years depending on vaccine. A virus which attacks the central nervous system and is fatal. This virus can be transmitted from species to species, including people. It is required by law.
2. Non Core Vaccines – Recommended for At Risk Pupppies/Dogs:
A. Leptospirosis: A bacterial infection that causes kidney and liver damage. Pets and people acquire this through contaminated water. Start at 12 weeks of age. Booster in 3 to 4 weeks. Booster 1 year later and yearly afterwards. Not recommended for Toy Breeds unless at risk. At risk dogs have access to standing puddles/pools of water that could be contaminated by infected dogs or wildlife.
B. Bordatella and Parainfluenza ( Kennel Cough Syndrome): A bacterial and viral combination infection which is easily spread from dog to dog. It causes a severe cough with a “gag”. It is rarely fatal. Start at 3 weeks of age. Booster in 3 to 4 weeks. Dogs at high risk should be boostered every 6 months, otherwise yearly. High risk dogs include those who go to classes/club outings/shows or visit the groomer or are kenneled.
C. Lyme: A bacterial infection spread through tick bites. It causes fever, lethargy, lameness and can affect the liver, kidney and brain. Start at 9 to 12 weeks. Booster in 3 to 4 weeks. Booster 1 year later and then yearly afterwards. At risk dogs live in or will visit regions where the likelihood of exposure to ticks is high or where the disease is endemic.
3.Not Generally Recommended:
A. Giardia
B. Corona
INTESTINAL PARASITES: Pet Vet follows the Companion Animal Parasite Council’s recommendations:
At one of your earliest puppy visits, a stool or fecal sample should be examined for parasite ova (or eggs), this test should be repeated another 1 to 3 times in the first year. All puppies should be dewormed at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks of age. At 8 weeks of age they should start monthly heartworm preventative. Adult dogs should have fecals checked 1 to 2 times a year if on year-round heartworm medication or, if not on year-round medication, then stool checks are recommended 2 to 4 times a year. Many intestinal worms, such as roundworm, hookworm, whipworm and tapeworm are common in puppies and can be transmitted to other pets and to people.
HEARTWORM: Pet Vet follows the American Heartworm Society’s recommendations:
A blood parasite which is spread by mosquito bites. Untreated infections cause heart failure with associated lung, liver and kidney disease.
A. Puppies younger than 7 months of age will be started on a preventative and blood tested the following spring.
B. Puppies 7 months of age or older will be blood tested before starting the preventative.
The preventative may be given during the warmer months (March through November), though year-round administration is recommended. There are many types of preventatives, and we will be happy to discuss the options and help you choose the one that is best for you and your puppy. A blood test is performed yearly.
FLEAS: Fleas can be spread from pet to pet and from people carrying them on shoes or clothing to the pet. Several types of flea preventatives are available, and can be discussed during one of your puppy’s visit.
NUTRITION: Puppies should be fed a high quality puppy food. The amount per feeding and number of daily feedings will be discussed and tailored to your puppy’s growing needs at each visit.
DENTAL CARE: The enamel of your pet’s teeth is much more porous than a human’s. An application of fluoride to young adult teeth (which start erupting about 4 to 5 months of age) can help minimize plaque buildup and tooth loss later in life. Brushing your puppy’s teeth regularly will also help. We can help you pick the best applicator and paste, and show you how to brush your puppy’s teeth.
MICROCHIP: A microchip is a way to permanently identify your puppy. About the size of a grain of rice, it is injected under the skin between the shoulder blades. If your pet is lost and taken to an animal shelter or veterinary clinic, he would be scanned. The microchip scanner would show a unique ID number which can be traced back to you. This increases the odds of your puppy being returned to you.
CRATE TRAINING: We recommend using a dog kennel to help train your puppy and to provide it with a safe haven. We can discuss this method at your puppy’s examination visits.
PET INSURANCE: Insurance is becoming more common, more reasonably priced, and offering more options. We can provide more information at one of your visits. We strongly recommend insurance to help for any unforeseen catastrophies.
NEUTER SURGERY: We recommend spaying or castrating your puppy between the age of 4 to 6 months. This will prevent some medical conditions that can arise later in life. Such conditions include false pregnancies, uterine infections, and mammary gland cancer in females. In males prostatic conditions including enlargement, infection, and some testosterone-responsive cancers are common if left intact. The surgery may also alleviate or prevent behavioral problems. Most importantly, it will keep your puppy from becoming part of the pet overpopulation problem.
EMERGENCY CARE: After hours emergencies are referred to:
ANIMAL EMERGENCY OF MCHENRY COUNTY DUNDEE ANIMAL HOSPITAL
1095 Pingree Rd 199 Penny Avenue (Route 68)
Crystal Lake, IL 60014 Dundee, IL 60118
815-479-9119 847-428-6114
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