New Puppy... What you need to know!

Puppies are usually ready to go to their new homes at about 8 weeks of age. Most puppies will start to be weaned around the 4-6 weeks. Knowledgable breeders, should have dewormed at least once between 4-6 weeks of age, as well as administered their first vaccine between 6- 8 weeks of age. They also should have had an examination, with copies of paperwork, performed by a veterinarian. Minimal expectations when purchasing a puppy... it should be eating dry food well on its own, received veterinarian examination, administered dewormer and first vaccination.

Things you need when preparing for a new puppy:

Puppy food: It is best to ask what they are eating and either continue same diet or transition over 5-7 days to a new food. Some puppies have sensitive stomachs and food changes can cause diarrhea or inappetence. All puppies should be kept on puppy food until 12 months of age. Large breed dogs (adult 50+) should be fed Large Breed Puppy Food. A few good quality brands to consider are Purina ProPlan, Science Diet, Royal Canin.

Kennel: The puppy needs a safe area to be confined while left alone. Kennels tend to be the easiest and safest in most instances.

Collar/leash: It is best to start leash training when they are small. A collar with owner information should be on pet at all times. Collars just need to be checked regularly in growing puppies, as to not get too tight.

Chew toys: Something to keep your pet entertained and help deter them from chewing on you. Be careful with the types, some can cause blockages, if they break off into smaller pieces.

Veterinary Needs the first year.....and beyond

Vaccinations:

Core vaccinations: (All puppies should receive)

Rabies- Rabies is a zoonotic disease that is fatal in most mammals, including humans. In our area, bats and skunks are the main wildlife reservoirs. Rabies is not treatable. All dogs 4 months of age and older, should be vaccinated. We then recommend an annual vaccine, followed by every 3 years thereafter. Boosters are recommended when exposure to bats or wildlife occurs. Rabies is still in our area, our clinic had a positive animal last year.

DAPPL- (distemper-adenovirus-parvo-parainfluenza-lepto). These viruses are found in the environment, and are usually in a combination vaccine. Puppies need a series of 3 or 4 vaccinesof, every 3-4 weeks, until they are 4 months of age. The number vaccines, depends on the timing. All puppies need minimum 2 vaccines at or after 12 weeks of age. Most common timing would be given at 6, 9,12, and 16 weeks of age, then annually.

Non-Core Vaccines:

Bordetella (kennel cough)- Any pets that will be going to doggy daycare, being boarded, going to a grooming, attending dog parks, attending obedience school, should receive this. Basically any dog that will have exposure to large groups of dogs or housed where other unknown pets are housed. Kennels and groomers require this vaccination. This vaccine is administered annually.

Influenza- This vaccine is relatively new, but each year some area of the country seems to have an outbreak. It is an upper respiratory infection, like we as humans get. It has varying degrees of symptoms from mild cold symptoms to pneumonia. Some kennels and groomers have started requiring it. Several in our are do. This is a two series vaccine the first time, 3-4 weeks apart, then annually.

Lyme- (Borrelia burgdorferi) This vaccine is recommended to dogs with lots of tick exposure. Lyme disease is spred by Ixodes tick. For dogs that spend a lot of time hunting or camping, or in central or northern MN, it is recommended. It is much more prevalent North of here. It is a 2 series initial vaccine, 3-4 weeks apart, then annually.

Spaying and Neutering:

Spaying (ovariohysterectomy)- Removing the female reproductive tract. This prevents their ability to reproduce. It also helps decrease the chances of mammary tumors, if done early in age, eliminates the mess of heat cycles, and eliminates pyometras later in life (life threatening uterine infection). Female dogs usually have their first heat cycle in the first 6-12 months of life. They tend to have vulvar swelling and bleeding, and become receptive to males, for breeding, during this 3 week period. We will not spay dogs during their heat cycle. Timing for spays include around 6 months of age for small dogs. 6-12 months of age for large breeds. Most dogs recover well without complications. Problems that can arise, internal sutures may fail, usually do to excessive activity after. Incision lines can become infected from licking or not keeping pet dry after procedure. Expected recovery time, for complete healing 10-14 days.

Neutering (orchidectomy)- Removing testicles of male dog. This prevents their ability to reproduce, although they may still have sperm for about 30 days post surgery. Neutering can help reduce their want for running, aggressive male dominance behaviors, eliminate some territory marking. It also reduces the risk of perianal tumors and prostate disease. If both testicles are not present in the scrotum, it is referred to as cryptorchid. At the time of surgery, they will require additional incision sites, to locate the absent testicle. Most surgeries recover very quickly. Incision healing is 10-14 days. Complications can include swelling and hemorrhage into the scrotum or infected incision line. They complications are usually due to licking and excessive activity immediately after. Neutering can be performed around 6-12 months of age.

Parasiticides and Heartworm Preventative:

Intestinal parasites (hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, tapeworms)- are common in pets. They can pick them up in the environment. We recommend dewormer around the 4-6 weeks of age. After this point, they can be started on a monthly medication. This is usually in combination with a heartworm prevenatative. The above listed parasites, are all zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted to humans. Most of these are acquired through fecal-oral route.... this is why hand washing, especially for children, is super important after playing with pets.

Heartworm disease- Heartworms are large worms that develop in the chambers of the heart and pulmonary vessels, causing heart failure. This disease is more prevalent the further south you go, but we still see areas of heavy infection in certain areas. Preventatives are much more economical than treatment options, and so much better for your pet. Your puppy should received a monthly preventative, year round. We also recommend annual testing, to make sure we have not had any break in coverage. If using monthly prevention year round, and your pet still gets heartworm disease, the preventative company pays for all medical expenses associated. These products are dosed according to weight, as your puppy grows, you will need to adjust dosage, until it reached its adult size.

Flea and Tick Prevention:

Fleas are present most of the year here, despite cold temperatures. Monthly preventative is highly recommended. There are about 10,000 eggs per live flea seen, and infestations can take months to resolve. We see upticks in infestations in early spring and late fall. Ticks emerge early spring. Temperatures only need to stay around 40 degrees for a few days, before they start hatching. Ticks are known for spreading diseases such as anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and lymes disease.