| So, you finally gave in a got a puppy. Now you need | | | | Cv- Coronavirus - similar to parvovirus but not usually |
| to know what to do next. Puppies are at risk for | | | | fatal. |
| many different diseases, but they can be prevented. | | | | After the puppy is a year old, this vaccine should be |
| One of the first things you need to do after bringing | | | | given yearly. There are several other vaccines your |
| your puppy home, is make an appointment with a | | | | pup will need to stay healthy. The rabies vaccine is |
| veterinarian for a check up and vaccinations. | | | | given to pups at 4 months of age and repeated the |
| Your puppy will need a fecal exam to screen for | | | | following year. After the second year the rabies |
| parasites. Worms can make your pup very sick but | | | | vaccine is given every 2 years. If you are going to |
| they can easily be treated with medication. There is a | | | | board your puppy (or dog), the vet will give a |
| series of vaccines to be given between 8 weeks and | | | | Bordetella vaccine. This is given as a spray in the |
| 16-20 weeks of age. The first shot your puppy will | | | | nose and protects the dog from kennel cough, which |
| get protects against several different diseases. It is | | | | is exactly what it says...a cough, and is highly |
| known as DHLPPCv. The vaccine covers the | | | | contagious. The Lyme vaccine is given to protect |
| following: | | | | from a tick borne illness. Lyme disease causes joint |
| D- Canine Distemper - A viral infection which can be | | | | pain, fever and swollen lymph nodes. It is given in a |
| fatal. Affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal and | | | | series of 2 doses, one at 8 weeks and one at 12 |
| nervous systems. | | | | weeks. |
| H- Hepatitis - Affects the liver | | | | Besides the vaccinations, your puppy, at 6 months of |
| L- Leptospirosis - Bacterial infection of the kidneys | | | | age will have a blood test for heart worm. If the test |
| P- Parainfluenza- upper respiratory infection | | | | comes back clear, he will start on a monthly does of |
| P- Parvovirus - Potentially fatal, affects the lining of | | | | heart worm prevention medication. Finally, between 6 |
| the intestines. Many veterinarians recommend that | | | | and 12 months of age, veterinarians recommend your |
| certain breeds, such as Dobermans and Rottweilers, | | | | puppy be spayed or neutered. |
| should have 2 parvo vaccines. The final vaccine | | | | Together, you and your vet can insure a long and |
| should be given at 20 weeks of age. | | | | healthy life for your new puppy. |