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Congratulations on your new puppy! As your Partner in Pet Health, our goal is to support the health and well-being of your new addition. Our Puppy Wellness Guidelines make it easy for you to learn about and follow our recommendations.
Hillside Animal Hospital Puppy Wellness Guidelines
VACCINATIONS
 Certainly routine vaccinations are essential for prevention of infectious diseases in puppies. Puppies receive immunity against infectious disease in their mother's milk; however, this protection begins to disappear between 6 and 20 weeks of age. The exact sequence cannot be predicted without specialized blood tests.
To protect puppies during this critical time, a well-researched approach is taken: a series of vaccines is given every 2-4 weeks until the chance of contracting an infectious disease is very low. The typical vaccine is a "combination" that protects against canine distemper virus, canine adenovirus, parainfluenza, and canine parvovirus (the four viruses are commonly abbreviated DHPP). Another vaccine available prevents bordatella, also known as "kennel cough".
Rabies vaccines are given at 15 weeks of age. All vaccines require booster immunizations ("shots") that are given one year later.
SURGICAL STERILIZATION
The Benefits of Spaying
Spaying removes the risk of pregnancy.
Pet overpopulation is a serious issue and by allowing your dog to have litters, you are adding to the problem. Finding homes for your new family additions is not as easy as you may think. Even if you choose to keep the puppies, you now have the additional cost of vaccines, parasite control, toys and food for several pets. In addition to costs, the health of the mother can be in jeopardy during delivery. Some new mothers can have serious complications delivering puppies and can even develop health problems during nursing. All these potential problems can be avoided by spaying your dog.
Spaying makes for a cleaner, calmer dog.
Without the drive to mate, your dog may be quieter and not prone to an incessant need to seek out a mate. The spayed dog no longer attracts males and their annoying advances and serenades. Dogs wonÕt have a bloody discharge for several days while they are in heat. Without proper protective products, the discharge can stain sofas, bedding and carpets. Spayed pets are also easier to get along with. They tend to be more gentle and affectionate.
Spaying keeps your dog healthier.
A final positive aspect of spaying your dog is that spayed pets tend to have fewer health problems. Spaying is the removal of the ovaries and uterus. Without these organs, ovarian cysts, uterine infections and cancer of the reproductive tract are no longer a concern. Studies have shown that dogs spayed before puberty have a significantly lower chance of developing breast cancer than unspayed dogs or dogs spayed later in life.
The Benefits of Neutering
Neutering removes the risk of pregnancy.
Pet overpopulation is a serious issue and by allowing your dog to breed, you are adding to the problem. Although you may not own the female dog, and you are not burdened with finding homes for those new puppies, someone else is. Even if you accept your responsibility and choose to keep the puppies, you now have the additional cost of vaccines, parasite control, toys and food for several pets.
Neutering makes for a calmer dog.
Another positive aspect of neutering your dog is that neutering can result in a calmer, and sometimes cleaner, home. Without the drive to mate, your dog may be quieter and not prone to an incessant need to seek out a mate. The neutered dog no longer feels the need to seek out and serenade females. He no longer has the stress of needing to mark his territory and urinate throughout the house and yard. Neutered pets are also easier to get along with. They tend to more gentle and affectionate. Neutered males tend to roam less and typically are not involved in as many fights with other animals.
Neutering keeps your dog healthier.
A final positive aspect of neutering your dog is that neutered pets tend to have fewer health problems. Neutering is the removal of the testicles. Without these organs, testicular cancer is no longer a concern and the risk of prostate problems is reduced. For those people who would like to sterilize their dog but do not wish to alter his appearance, testicular implants are available.
HEARTWORM PREVENTION
Heartworm disease has grown to be a significant problem in Arizona. In 2001, a study found that in Maricopa County alone, there were over 425 confirmed cases of heartworm disease. We recommend initiating a heartworm preventative at the time of the final DHPP vaccine at 15-16 weeks. After a pet reaches 6 months of age, a negative blood test result is required before initiating heartworm prevention treatment. Because no preventative is 100% effective, the Heartworm Society recommends testing every other year.
MICROCHIP IDENTIFICATION
Occasionally, dogs may decide to go exploring without their owners. In these instances, there is a solution called microchipping to ensure that your pet is able to find his or her way back home. Unlike tags and collars that can come off, a microchip is permanent and can never be misplaced. Each microchip has a distinct identification code. This code is registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC) Companion Animal Recovery (CAR) program, which maintains a national database and is available 24-hours daily, 365 days a year. Every time a lost dog or cat is found and taken to an animal shelter or animal hospital, they are scanned for a microchip. The microchip identification number appears and is called into the AKC-CAR so that its owner can be notified.
The microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and cannot be seen once it has been implanted. It has been extensively tested and has been shown to be safe for pets. The procedure is simple and is similar to administering a vaccine. The microchip is injected underneath the skin between the shoulder blades.
FECAL CHECK: TESTS FOR INTESTINAL PARASITES
Intestinal parasites are common in puppies. Puppies can become infected with parasites before they are born or later through their mother's milk. The microscopic examination of a stool sample will usually help us to determine the presence of intestinal parasites. We recommend this exam for all puppies. Even if we do not get a stool sample, we recommend the use of a deworming product that is safe and effective against several of the common worms of the dog. We do this because our deworming medication has no side-effects and because your puppy does not pass worm eggs every day so the stool sample may not detect worms that are present. Additionally, some of these internal parasites can be transmitted to humans. Deworming is done now and repeated in about three weeks. It is important that it be repeated because the deworming medication only kills the adult worms. Within 3-4 weeks, the larval stages will become adults and need to be treated. Dogs remain susceptible to re-infection with hookworms and roundworms. Periodic deworming throughout the dog's life may be recommended for outdoor dogs.
WELLNESS VISIT SCHEDULE:
| 6 - 8 weeks |
1st DHPP vaccination (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza)
1st fecal check (to check for intestinal parasites) |
| 9 - 11 weeks |
2nd DHPP vaccination |
| 12 - 14 weeks |
3rd DHPP vaccination
1st Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccination |
| 15 - 16 weeks |
4th DHPP vaccination
2nd Bordetella vaccination
2nd fecal check
Rabies vaccination
Start heartworm prevention |
| 5 - 6 months |
Spay/neuter
Microchip
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DHPP vaccinations are recommended annually following the 4th puppy vaccination. |
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Bordetella should be updated every 6 months. |
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Heartgard should be provided monthly, and Heartworm Test done every 2 years. |
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The first rabies vaccination is effective for one year. Subsequent ones are effective for 3 years. |
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After the initial series is finished, DHPP vaccines are recommended annually. The bordetella vaccine is recommended every 6 months. The first rabies vaccine is effective for 1 year. Subsequent rabies vaccines are effective for 3 years.
Our staff will contact you with a reminder to schedule a visit for the appropriate service. For further information call 480-391-7297.
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