Puppy & Adult Dog Parenting Guide
• Annual examinations, which includes a consultation with our vets to evaluate overall health and wellness.
• Annual vaccinations. This will always include immunization for Rabies and Bordetella (“Kennel Cough”). Depending on previous vaccination history, it may also include immunization for Parvovirus, Distemper virus, Parainfluenza virus, Adenovirus, and Leptospirosis. At the time of your visit, our staff will inform you of what is specifically recommended based on your pets history and specific needs.
• Annual heartworm testing and intestinal parasite screening.
• Heartworm prevention. Prevention is needed year-round in our region. **Dogs who are not receiving heartworm prevention are at very high risk for contracting heartworm disease, which is often fatal without treatment.** Our first choice for heartworm prevention is Proheart 6, which is an injectable heartworm prevention that patients receive every 6 months. Of all the preventatives available, we believe Proheart 6 is the most effective at preventing heartworm disease. We also carry an oral monthly preventative called Heartguard.
Click here for more information about heartworms.
• Flea/tick prevention. We carry several safe and effective oral flea preventatives including Bravecto, Nexguard, and Comfortis (fleas only). There is also a topical option available. Our staff can discuss these options at greater length. Click here for more information about fleas.
• Spaying/Neutering. We recommend that all male and female dogs not intended for planned breeding be spayed or neutered. Click here for more information about spaying and neutering.
• Annual dental cleanings Click here for more information about dental cleanings.
• Microchipping. This is a very effective means of permanent identification for your pet. Beloved lost pets find their families again thanks to this quick procedure. Our staff is happy to discuss microchipping in greater detail. Click here for more information about microchipping.
Recommendations:
• Wellness examinations and health consultations with our vets which usually occur at vaccination visits. This is a great time to ask all the puppy questions!
• Vaccinations. Our routine puppy vaccination series includes vaccinations at 6, 8, 12, and 16 weeks of age. The recommended vaccines are tailored to the puppy’s age and any previous vaccination history. Puppies are especially susceptible to the diseases we vaccinate for, so vaccinations are a vital step toward ensuring a healthy puppy.
• Intestinal parasite treatment or “de-worming” at 6, 8, 12, and 16 weeks of age. Puppies should also be screened for other intestinal parasites and treated accordingly at these ages.
• Heartworm prevention. We send home oral heartworm prevention at each 8, 12, and 16 week appointment. Puppies cannot receive Proheart 6 (an injectable form of prevention that is given every 6 months) until they are 6 months of age; therefore, we send oral preventative until your puppy is of age for Proheart.
Click here for more detailed information about heartworm disease, prevention and treatment.
• Flea/tick prevention. We carry several safe and effective oral flea preventatives including Bravecto, Nexguard, and Comfortis (fleas only). There is also a topical option available. Our staff can discuss these options at greater length. Click here for more information about fleas.
• Spaying/Neutering. We recommend that all male and female dogs not intended for planned breeding be spayed or neutered at 6 months of age.
Click here for more information about spaying and neutering.
• Microchipping. This is a very effective means of permanent identification for your pet. Beloved lost pets find their families again thanks to this quick procedure. Our staff is happy to discuss microchipping in greater detail. Click here for more information about microchipping.