A veterinarian will complete a wellness examination to evaluate the health of your puppy. Listening for a heart murmur, an oral exam, inspection of reproductive structures, and evaluation for umbilical hernias are just a few parts of the exam. Your first puppy visit will also include a complimentary nail trim!
PUPPY’S FIRST APPOINTMENT:
- Please bring a fresh stool sample with you. We will use this sample to perform a screening test for intestinal parasites and develop a deworming protocol, as necessary.
- We will go over common questions such as food choices, behavior, and dental care.
- A strategy for preventing fleas, ticks, and heartworm will be started at this time. Your first dose is free! (Offer excludes litter exams.)
- A vaccine schedule will be developed for your puppy’s based on its individual needs. Vaccines offered at our clinic include:
DHPP (Distemper virus, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus) – This vaccine is necessary for protecting your puppy against the most common, and sometimes fatal, viruses that infect canines. It is administered between 6 and 9 weeks of age and boostered 3-4 weeks later.
DHLPP ( DHPP vaccine, plus leptospirosis bacterin) – This vaccine is given after 9 weeks of age and protects against all of the same pathogens as the DHPP and additionally provides protection against 4 types of Leptospira bacteria. Leptospirosis is a bacteria that causes flu-like symptoms and affects the kidney and liver. This vaccine will be boostered 3-4 weeks later, up to 16 weeks of age. It will then be boostered every year.
Kennel Cough Vaccine (Bordetella Bronchiseptica) – This vaccine is highly recommended for any dog that will be boarded, groomed, taken to the dog park, or frequently travels. It is an oral vaccine, which only requires one dose to provide immunity for an entire year.
Rabies Vaccine – This vaccine is required by law. It is given once, after 12 weeks of age. It is boostered one year later, then every 3 years.
Lyme vaccine – Lyme disease is transmitted by ticks and can have long term effects on the joints and kidneys. The first dose of this vaccine is given after 9 weeks of age, then 3-4 weeks later. It is then boostered yearly. Lyme’s Disease is very common in this area and it is very important to keep your dog’s Lyme’s vaccines current.
IMPORTANCE OF BOOSTER VACCINATIONS
It is essential that your puppy make it back on time for his/her booster vaccinations. The immune system requires the vaccines to be given at certain intervals in order for the vaccine to be effective. Failure to booster within the 3-4 week window will result in incomplete protection and the series will have to be re-started. This is also true of adult dogs which have not received puppy vaccinations. If boosters are not administered on time, you end up having to spend extra money repeating vaccines. Please remember to schedule your follow-up appointments after your visit!
If you have any vaccination records, please bring these to your appointment as we may not need to booster vaccines if they have been given previously.
*If you think your pet may be pregnant, please inform the veterinarian or technician prior to administration of any vaccinations.
ADVERSE VACCINE REACTIONS
Adverse reactions to vaccines can occur in pets: however, the risks associated with vaccinations are very small in comparison to the risks of contracting contagious diseases.
Adverse effects from vaccinations can vary with the type of vaccine used and the age, size, or breed of animal vaccinated. Reactions to vaccines may include but are not limited to: tiredness, decreased appetite, or pain at the injection site. If any of these signs occur and do not resolve after 2-3 days, please contact us. The risk of these signs increases with the number of vaccinations received in a single visit and with small or toy breeds. Vaccines are often separated into additional visits to reduce this risk.
Anaphylaxis is a rare, but serious reaction to a vaccine. Swelling of the face or paws, labored breathing, vomiting/diarrhea, or extreme lethargy can indicate an extreme allergic reaction that requires immediate veterinary attention.
MORE INFORMATION
We are happy to address any and all of your questions or concerns, please ask! We offer a wide variety of informative brochures on vaccinations, deworming, heartworm prevention, flea/tick prevention, dental care, choosing a dog food, and more.
Getting a new puppy can be an exciting, but challenging time. At Sunrise Veterinary Services, we hope to assist you in caring for your new family member and can even refer you to a trainer if you’d like!
SPAY AND NEUTER INFORMATION
We recommend that all dogs not intended for breeding be spayed or neutered. It is best to spay female dogs between 4-6 months. Spaying your female as a puppy, reduces surgical time, decreases post-operative pain, and promotes faster healing.
Spaying your female before her first heat cycle will significantly decrease the risk of her developing mammary cancer later in life.
Spaying greatly reduces the incidence of mammary cancer, eliminates uterine and ovarian cancer, and prevents pyometra (a common and potentially life-threatening infection of the uterus).
It is best to neuter (castrate) male dogs between 4-6 months. Neutering reduces the risk of several diseases including testicular cancer and prostate enlargement.
Neutering male dogs can reduce roaming, urine marking, aggression towards other dogs, and territorial aggression. As dogs become older, these behaviors can become a habit and continue after neutering. Neutering at a young age can reduce these behaviors before habits form.