Puppy Info
Newborn puppies receive disease fighting antibodies in their mother’s milk. However, these antibodies start to decrease at about the 6 week mark. After that your puppy requires vaccinations to stimulate their own immune system to produce antibodies. At Chinook Country Veterinary Clinic we recommend that puppies receive vaccines at the 6-8 week mark, and receive a booster at the 10-12 week mark and again at 14-26 week mark.
At their initial visit, 6-8 weeks of age, our veterinarians will do a full health exam, and vaccinate your animal against Canine Distemper, Infectious Canine Hepatitis, and Parvovirus. As well a member of our Health Care Team will deworm your pet. Our protocol for deworming your animal is every 2 weeks until they are 3 months of age, then every month until they are 6 months of age, then every 3-4 months for life. A member of our Health Care Team will also take the time in this visit to discuss any concerns you may have in regards to your pup’s diet, neutering, socialization, obedience, and any risks that may occur when traveling. If you have young children, elderly people in your home or any additional health concerns you may wish to discuss them with the Veterinarian at this time.
At their next visit, 10-12 weeks of age, our veterinarians will again perform a complete health exam, an exam must be performed each time the animal is vaccinated as puppies just like babies change so much in the first few months of growth. After the health exam has been performed the Veterinarian will then booster your animal’s Canine Distemper, Infectious Canine Hepatitis and Parvovirus vaccination and depending on the animal, we may give an intranasal vaccination against Bordetella (kennel cough). A member of our Health Care Team will discuss any questions you have regarding your pups well being and any issues you may have with house training, any genetic concerns with the breed of your pup, the occurrence of hip dysplasia and/or luxating patellas in your pet’s breed. If you are choosing to use your pup as breeding stock they may discuss the need for future Penn Hip x-rays and the likelihood of c-sections, blood work need for pre-breeding screens.
During the third visit, 14-16 weeks of age, our veterinarians will again administer a complete health exam. They will then perform the final booster for Canine Distemper, Infectious Canine Hepatitis and Parvovirus; and administer the rabies vaccine (requires a 1 year booster); these vaccines will not require a booster vaccine for 3 years if all vaccines were performed with us. If a different type of vaccine was used initially this may alter your particular pet’s vaccine schedule. A member of our Health Care Team will also dental care, grooming, and long term maintenance, and re-visit the topics of neutering and obedience. We will also give you some pre-surgical information to review prior to your pet’s next visit.
The next time we should see your pet should be when they are 5-6 months of age (sometimes earlier depending on the breed) for their neutering and possible Bordetella booster. We recommend neutering unless you are using your pet for breeding.
Neutering for females referred to as spaying is the complete removal of the ovaries and uterus. It involves a general anesthesia and is a major abdominal surgery. Female dogs should be spayed before their first heat cycle. Female dogs are kept overnight following surgery. An unaltered female dog is at a higher risk for uterine infections and mammary tumors.
Neutering for males referred to as castration is the removal of the testicles through surgery. It involves a general anesthetic. Male dogs are generally discharged from the hospital towards the end of their surgical day. Neutering your male pup decreases its risk of developing prostate infections and cancer.
A neutered dog:
- Is easier to train because they will concentrate more on you and be less likely to be aggressive towards other animals.
- Is less concerned with marking their territory with urine (both indoors and outdoors)
- Has less desire to run away or roam in search of a mate
- Makes a calmer and gentler pet
- Avoid certain health risks – such as pyometra (uterine infection) a life-threatening infection in female mammals.
Explanation of vaccinations required for dogs
Canine Distemper – a highly contagious viral disease that affects a dog’s respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous system. It can be spread through the air or by contact with an infected animal’s feces or urine, and can be fatal.
Infectious Canine Hepatitis – This viral disease, also known as adenovirus, is spread by contact with infected animals their feces, urine or saliva. It affects the liver, kidneys and the cells lining the blood vessels
Parvovirus – This viral infection is a common, deadly viral infection and usually strikes puppies. It is spread by contact with an infected dog’s blood, feces or vomit
Rabies – This is an infection of the central nervous system that results in paralysis and death. Rabies is always fatal. It is usually transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. Rabies is a serious public health threat, so it is essential to vaccinate your dog. It is a required for International travel including travel to the U.S.
Bordetella – This is an airborne bacterial infection involved in “kennel cough”. Dogs may catch this when exposed to other dogs in kennels, dog shows, and field trials, training classes, and grooming facilities.
Depending on where you are traveling with your pet, they may require other vaccines including but not limited to Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, Coronavirus, Lyme Disease andGiardia. If you are traveling with your pet please ask our Health Care Team what vaccines you pet may require.
Training tips
Training for your pup should start as soon as you get them home. Training is a lifetime process, not a quick fix. Start with name recognition exercises calling his/her name and rewarding when they respond to it. As well teach your pet that their kennel/crate is his den where he sleeps and naps. Do not put food or water in the crate because your puppy will have no place to eliminate after they eat or drinks except in his/her crate, not to mention the mess they may make if bored. Always give your pet an opportunity to eliminate prior to crating him.
House training is very important; this starts with consistency and supervision. After your pup has eaten wait 20-30 minutes take them outside to a designated area, each time so they learn to do their business. Stay with them encouraging, using your happy voice and possibly a simple command that they can associate with relieving themselves. Always reward with calm praise, a small kibble or treat, and tell them “good puppy”. Take your puppy in immediately, do not extend into an outdoor play session or your puppy will become confused about the purpose of these trips. Other times your puppy may need to eliminate are when they wake in the mornings, after napping, after playing, after having a drink and just before bedtime. Realize accidents will happen and you will need patience. But with calm dedication you will succeed in house training.
Another common issue with puppies is their desire to chew. Recognize that dogs, especially puppies will chew. What you as an owner need to do is encourage chewing of appropriate objects and discourage the chewing of inappropriate items and the nipping or biting of people. The most effective way of doing this is through positive enforcement of the ‘positive chewing’. By ignoring or re-directing ‘negative chewing’. When your puppy is chewing on something they are not supposed to be chewing remove the object or puppy from the object and replace with an acceptable chewing item, such as. a toy. Always praise your pup for accepting the ’positive chew’ item.
For more help with training please call us or contact a certified professional dog trainer such as Barb Maja of Pawsitively Fun K9s ( www.pawsitivelyfunk9s.com ) to get your puppy started on the right track or just to answer any questions you may have.