Our Health Program
We follow a strict health program for our
dogs that includes frequent dewoming, vaccination schedules,
and a prevention program for coccidiosis.
Our puppies are first dewormed between 2 and
3 weeks of age, and are re-treated every two weeks. By the
time they leave us, they will usually have been dewormed
with at least two different types of dewormers (typically
Strongid and Panacur) to ensure broad-spectrum control of
normal puppy parasites.
Our puppies will also have been given
preventative care for coccidiosis, which is a very common
intestinal infection in puppies in the United States.
Coccidiosis causes diarrhea, and often occurs after a period
of stress (weaning, leaving littermates for a new home,
etc.) We use Corid, Albon, and/or Marquis antiprotozoals.
Around 6 weeks of age, our puppies are given
their first puppy vaccination. Our vet recommends the Ft.
Dodge "Puppy Shot," or Duramune Max CVK 5. This is the first
in a series of vaccinations that should be continued after
you pick up your puppy. Contact your veterinarian for
his/her vaccination timeline recommendations.
Recommended
Vaccination Schedule
From The Humane Society
- Distemper - an airborne viral disease of the lungs, intestines and
brain.
- Hepatitis - a viral disease of the liver.
- Leptospirosis - a bacterial disease of the urinary system.
- Parainfluenza - infectious bronchitis.
- Parvovirus - a viral disease of the intestines.
- Rabies - a viral disease fatal to humans and other animals.
- Corona - a viral disease of the intestines.
- Bordetella - a bacterial infection (kennel cough)
Puppies - 6 weeks to 1 year
- 6 to 8 weeks - First puppy shot (DHLPP) + Corona
- 11 to 12 weeks - Second puppy shot (DHLPP) + Corona
- 15 to 16 weeks - Third puppy shot (DHLPP) + Corona
- Over 4 months - Rabies (repeat l year later)
- 7 to 9 months - First heartworm test. Monthly heartworm prevention
with Ivermectin.
Adult Dogs - After 1 year
-
Monthly heartworm prevention with Ivermectin.
- DHLPP - Yearly
- Heartworm test - Yearly
- Rabies - Every 3 years (after second Rabies shot)
- Bordetella - Yearly
Note: Some states have their own laws
regarding the frequency & requirement of certain vaccinations. When in
doubt, always ask your veterinarian or local humane society.
I've made a 2-page (front and back of one sheet of paper)
health record form for puppies we sell that is great to use to keep track of
your dog's health its whole life. Feel free to download it
here. It is in MS Word
format.
Deworming Schedule
Veterinary recommendations vary for deworming puppies, but
all resources we've encountered recommend deworming at LEAST by 6 weeks of
age and again at 3 months of age.
A schedule beginning at 2 weeks with deworming every 2 weeks
through the 8th week is recommended by some vets, while others recommend
deworming for the first time at 6 weeks. We deworm our puppies at least
twice prior to weaning (generally 4 and 6 weeks), and hope you'll continue
with at least monthly deworming unless your veterinarian recommends
otherwise.
Training/Growth Stages for Puppies
This is a neat and short article about the stages of puppy
growth. Knowing what to expect for that first year can help you both
train and cope with your puppy's changes in personality and abilities.
Click Here to read the article.
Our Pet Store Philosophy
