Dog and Puppy Wellness

Comprehensive dog and puppy wellness services to ensure their health and happiness through regular check-ups, vaccinations, and expert care.

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Dog & Puppy Wellness

Here are some tips to help you establish a healthy environment and veterinary care routine for your dog or puppy!

Recommended Wellness Protocol for Dogs and Puppies

Age

Vaccinations

Parasite Management

Testing
2-6 weeks – Strongid every 2 weeks –
8 weeks DAPP+C Bravecto 1-Month & Sentinel Spectrum Fecal analysis
12 weeks DAPP or DAPP+L Bordetella Bravecto 1-Month & Sentinel Spectrum –
16 week DAPP or DAPP+L Bravecto 1-Month & Sentinel Spectrum –
6 months Rabies Bravecto every 3 months & Sentinel Spectrum Heartworm test
1 year Annual boosters Bravecto every 3 months & Sentinel Spectrum Annual fecal & heartworm test

Vaccinations

Vaccinations are an essential part of keeping pets safe from infectious diseases.  We recommend beginning core vaccinations for your puppy at eight weeks, followed by regular boosters.

For families who engage in activities such as travel with your dogs, visits to the groomer, boarding your dog, or dog park visits, we may also recommend additional “lifestyle” vaccinations to protect your pets from diseases they may be exposed to.

Core Vaccines

DAPP: (Distemper, Adenovirus/Hepatitis, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza)

  • Begin at 6-8 weeks of age and continue every 3-4 weeks through 16 weeks of age; administer booster annually

Leptospirosis:

  • Recommended for most puppies starting at 12 weeks of age
  • two doses should be given 3-4 weeks apart, administer booster annually

Rabies:

  • Required by law for all puppies 6+ months old
  • First vaccine is protective for one year
  • Boosters after the first vaccine are protective for three years

Lifestyle Vaccines

Bordetella (kennel cough):

  • Recommended for all dogs and puppies attending training, boarding, grooming, dog shows, sporting events, dog parks, or those who travel with their owners.
  • A single intranasal or oral vaccination, administer booster annually

Influenza:

  • Recommended for dogs and puppies attending training, boarding, grooming, or dog parks
  • two doses should be given 3-4 weeks apart, administer booster annually

Lyme:

  • Recommended for dogs with high exposure to ticks (e.g.. Hunting, hiking, camping, traveling to areas endemic for ticks, or for homes with deer on the property)
  • two doses should be given 3-4 weeks apart, administer booster annually

Rattlesnake:

  • Recommended for dogs with risk of rattlesnake encounters
  • two doses should be given 3-4 weeks apart; schedule depends on the frequency of exposure
  • Annual revaccination for at-risk dogs

Parasite Prevention and Control

It is not uncommon for dogs and puppies to become infected with external or internal parasites such as fleas and worms at some point in their lifetime, even in well-cared-for pets.  These parasites can cause symptoms from mild irritation to serious disease if left untreated and can also transmit disease to people.  When you protect your pets against parasites, you are also protecting your family!

Parasite Control Products We Recommend

Sentinel Spectrum:

  • Broad-spectrum internal parasite control, heartworm prevention and flea control
  • Recommended for all puppies > 2 lbs. and at least 6 weeks of age
  • If < 2 lbs. or younger than six weeks of age, we recommend Strongid for deworming

IN ADDITION TO

Bravecto:

  • Protects against fleas, ticks, and mites
  • Bravecto 1-Month is recommended for most puppies > 4.4 lbs. and at least 8 weeks of age
  • Once puppies reach six months of age, they can transition to Bravecto extended-duration, which offers 12 weeks of protection
dogs near the lake

Parasite Screening

We may recommend a parasite screen for your dog or puppy at your wellness visit.  This helps us ensure your pet is free from parasites, even though they appear otherwise healthy.

Fecal analysis:

  • An initial fecal analysis is recommended for all puppies or new dogs in a household
  • Essential for any dogs that are not on a consistent deworming schedule or are symptomatic
  • Annual fecal testing is recommended for adult dogs

Heartworm Testing

We recommend annual testing for heartworm and tick-borne diseases such as Lyme, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma.

Important Considerations for Puppies

Spay or Neuter:  We recommend spaying or neutering your puppy around 6-18 months of age, depending on the size and breed of your dog. For females, this will prevent unwanted litter. For males, this may reduce behavioral problems. It is associated with an increase in testosterone as well as prostate issues.

Diet:  Puppies must be on a puppy or growth diet for the first 6-8 months. This is very important for bone development and growth. We recommend premium brands appropriate for the lifestyle of your pet.

dog in grass