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FIRST VISIT - 6 to 8 Weeks of age
Your new puppy’s first visit to the vet should be at 6 to 8 weeks of age or within 1-2 weeks of joining your family or, of course, at any time any problems occur. Bring any medical records the breeder may have provided and a stool sample.
Ideally, a new puppy should be isolated from existing pet dogs until both are currently vaccinated and checked for parasites. Carefully and gradually introduce your new puppy to the whole family. Avoid dog parks, groomers, puppy classes or anywhere large numbers of dogs congregate until the vaccination series is complete.
Your first visit will include a thorough physical exam and consultation on all important health issues including heartworm, intestinal worm and flea prevention, nutrition and basic training principles.
VACCINATIONS: Our vaccination policy is to give your pet only those vaccines it truly needs. We strive not to over vaccinate for diseases your pet has little or no chance of exposure to. Additional vaccinations to consider include Bordetella (kennel cough), Rattlesnake vaccine, and Lyme disease. We discuss each vaccine as they pertain to your pet’s individual needs.
Standard First Visit Procedures:
1) Fecal Parasite Exam: Bring a fresh stool sample for intestinal parasite check!
At DSAH our fecal parasite exams are done by the “Centrifugation” method, the most sensitive method and recommended by the Companion Animal Parasite Council.
2) Core vaccination: (vaccines we consider essential for all puppies)
Distemper Combination including Coronavirus (DHLP-PCV) – Given by subcutaneous injection under the skin of the neck. Includes distemper virus, hepatitis (adenovirus), 4 way leptospirosis, parainfluenza, parvovirus, and coronavirus.
Booster due in 3 to 4 weeks. We send reminder cards that list the specific vaccinations due the week before the due date.
3) De-worming: We recommend de-worming your puppy regardless of fecal exam findings due to the possibility of the presence of immature worms that will not be detected on fecal exams and the rare possibility of false negative results on the test.
SECOND VISIT – 10 to 12 weeks of age (or 3 to 4 weeks after 1st visit)
Your puppy will receive a thorough examination with every visit. We will reinforce preventative health care, parasite control, nutrition, and training and consider any issues you may have experienced since the first visit.
1) Fecal Parasite Exam: If intestinal worms or other parasites were noted on the first fecal exam, we will need to repeat the fecal exam and parasite treatment as indicated. Bring a fresh stool sample for intestinal parasite check!
2) Core Vaccination – Booster
Distemper Combination including Coronavirus (DHLP-PCV)
3) Non Core Vaccines: We will discuss the need for any additional vaccines according to your puppy’s particular situation. These Vaccines include Bordetella (kennel cough), Rattlesnake vaccine, and Lyme disease.
Booster due in 3 or 4 weeks (Final Booster, we’ll send a reminder card)
4) Start Parasite Preventative Program
We will discuss the options available for monthly parasite preventatives including flea control. Since these medications are dosed by weight, your growing puppy will receive its first preventatives during the puppy Well Check visits until the last visit when we will send you home with a 6 or 12 month supply of the appropriate size for your puppy.
THIRD VISIT – 14 to 16 weeks of age (or 3 to 4 weeks after 2nd visit)
This visit is your last “Puppy Well Check” visit and as such we will strive to summarize your puppy’s overall health care program. Additionally we will discuss the Spay/Neuter surgery which we consider critical to good pet stewardship as well as microchipping which can be done conveniently at the time of surgery but can also be done at any time without anesthesia.
1) Core Vaccination – Booster
Distemper Combination including Coronavirus (DHLP-PCV)
We will send a reminder for this vaccine in One Year.
2) Rabies Vaccination – First
We immunize against Rabies virus, in accordance with Texas law, at 3 1/2 – 4 months of age using a single dose of an approved “killed virus” vaccine. Your puppy will receive an official rabies vaccination tag and certificate. The tag number can be traced back to us for rabies vaccination verification and for owner identification. The first rabies vaccination will be boostered in One Year and we will send a reminder card.
3) Non Core Vaccines: We will discuss the need for any additional vaccines according to your puppy’s particular situation. These Vaccines include Bordetella (kennel cough), Rattlesnake vaccine, and Lyme disease.
4) Monthly Parasite Preventative Prescription
We will send home a supply of the preventative of your choice and will send a reminder card at the approximate time when you should run out. These preventatives are broad spectrum and are critical not only to your puppy’s health but to prevent the transmission of some parasites to you and your family.
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