Puppy Care
CORE VACCINATIONS
Puppies may begin their DHPP vaccine series at 6 weeks of age. The vaccine protects against Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza and Parvovirus. DHPP vaccine is usually given at 6, 9, 12, and 16 weeks, then a booster is given one year later.
Rabies vaccination is given with the last DHPP. The first Rabies vaccination is good for one year, and subsequent vaccines protect for three years. Rabies vaccine is required by law and needed for licensing.
State laws vary as to how often the vaccination should be given, so please check your state's requirements if you live outside of Michigan.
OPTIONAL ANNUAL VACCINATIONS
Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccine for dogs boarding at kennels, attending training classes, or dog shows. An initial series of 2 vaccines are given three weeks apart and then one vaccine is given annually.
Lepto vaccine for dogs that are taken into areas where they may be exposed to wildlife or other dogs. An initial series of 2 vaccines are given three weeks apart and then one vaccine is given annually.
FEEDING YOUR PUPPY
When deciding what to feed your new puppy, make sure you get reliable, professional veterinary advice on:
PARASITES
Heartworms are a blood parasite transmitted be an infected mosquito. If your puppy was born after mosquito season (November 1st or later), than we do not require a heartworm test before starting preventative. We recommend heartworm preventative be given from May 1st through January 1st. Adult dogs on monthly preventative such as Heartgard or Revolution should be tested annually at any time of the year.
Fecal exam checks for intestinal parasites such as round worms, hook worms, and whip worms. During the puppy vaccine series we recommend two negative exams, three weeks apart. Adult dogs should have a fecal sample tested once a year.
SPAYING OR NEUTERING
Spaying or Neutering is recommended at 6 months of age for all dogs not used for breeding.
MICROCHIP IDENTIFICATION
We strongly urge that you obtain an i.d. tag to be attached to your dogs collar. We also offer more permanent identification with the Home Again Microchip.The chip is the size of a grain of rice and is inserted underneath the skin between the shoulder blades. The i.d number and owner information is registered with the Home Again Database. If a pet is lost and recovered, the number can be read by any agency or veterinarian who has a microchip scanner and the owner can be traced.
Puppies may begin their DHPP vaccine series at 6 weeks of age. The vaccine protects against Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza and Parvovirus. DHPP vaccine is usually given at 6, 9, 12, and 16 weeks, then a booster is given one year later.
Rabies vaccination is given with the last DHPP. The first Rabies vaccination is good for one year, and subsequent vaccines protect for three years. Rabies vaccine is required by law and needed for licensing.
State laws vary as to how often the vaccination should be given, so please check your state's requirements if you live outside of Michigan.
OPTIONAL ANNUAL VACCINATIONS
Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccine for dogs boarding at kennels, attending training classes, or dog shows. An initial series of 2 vaccines are given three weeks apart and then one vaccine is given annually.
Lepto vaccine for dogs that are taken into areas where they may be exposed to wildlife or other dogs. An initial series of 2 vaccines are given three weeks apart and then one vaccine is given annually.
FEEDING YOUR PUPPY
When deciding what to feed your new puppy, make sure you get reliable, professional veterinary advice on:
- What type of diet to choose
- How much food to feed
- How to adjust your puppy's diet as your puppy grows into adulthood
PARASITES
Heartworms are a blood parasite transmitted be an infected mosquito. If your puppy was born after mosquito season (November 1st or later), than we do not require a heartworm test before starting preventative. We recommend heartworm preventative be given from May 1st through January 1st. Adult dogs on monthly preventative such as Heartgard or Revolution should be tested annually at any time of the year.
Fecal exam checks for intestinal parasites such as round worms, hook worms, and whip worms. During the puppy vaccine series we recommend two negative exams, three weeks apart. Adult dogs should have a fecal sample tested once a year.
SPAYING OR NEUTERING
Spaying or Neutering is recommended at 6 months of age for all dogs not used for breeding.
MICROCHIP IDENTIFICATION
We strongly urge that you obtain an i.d. tag to be attached to your dogs collar. We also offer more permanent identification with the Home Again Microchip.The chip is the size of a grain of rice and is inserted underneath the skin between the shoulder blades. The i.d number and owner information is registered with the Home Again Database. If a pet is lost and recovered, the number can be read by any agency or veterinarian who has a microchip scanner and the owner can be traced.
