Though socialization/training is paramount and should start immediately, be careful where you expose your puppy until he or she has had its first full vaccination series (last rabies is at 4-5 months of age). Places where a lot of wildlife run or dog parks are not a good idea right now, nor is daycare. Puppies’ immune systems take time to develop. When taking your young puppy outside please stay close enough to them to make sure they don’t get into anything harmful that may be lurking in your yard, even certain mushrooms can be fatal in small quantity. Puppies also LOVE to eat dirt and almost anything off the ground, good time to start training the “leave it” command. Using basic training along with distraction your puppy will catch on very quickly.
Vaccines
Vaccinations are a critical component to preventive care for your puppy. Vaccines protect our pets from numerous disease threats including rabies, distemper, hepatitis, and several others. Some of these diseases can be passed from dogs to people — so they are important in protecting human health as well.
We recommend only giving DHPP, bordetella, and rabies vaccines according to Dr. Jene Dodd’s recommendations. We do not believe in over vaccination.
Recently, studies have shown that vaccines protect our dogs for longer than previously believed. There have also been improvements in the type of vaccines produced. In addition, there is increased awareness and concern that vaccination is not as harmless a procedure as once thought. These factors have led to a growing number of veterinarians who recommend reduced frequency of vaccinations while at the same time tailoring vaccine recommendations to specific risk situations.
That said, please use caution when choosing to give vaccines such as Leptospirosis. Many dogs have adverse reactions to this vaccine. Dalmatian's should never receive this vaccine as it is known to give them seizures.
Though giving this vaccine may be more necessary in some parts of the country please discuss the risks and possibilities of a reaction with your vet. Also, please be clear about the signs of an allergic reaction. While only about 1% of dogs have a reaction to this vaccine, the reaction itself can range from minor to severe symptoms. If given we recommend waiting to give it until your puppies last Distemper vaccine or later, as reactions are more common in younger puppies.
We also do NOT recommend giving Corona virus vaccine. Corona virus typically only affects puppies younger than 6 weeks old and is extremely rare. Research has shown that the efficacy of the vaccine is questionable and that the risks of this vaccine far outweigh the usefulness.
DHPP: Distemper-Hepatitis-Parvovirus-Parainfluenza at 7 weeks, repeated at 11 weeks, and 14 weeks. This vaccine is repeated 12 months later from the date of the last vaccine in the series. After this booster you should only need to booster every 3 yrs thereafter.
- Canine Distemper
This is a widespread viral disease which carries a high death or mortality rate. The virus is spread through droplet infection from the eyes and nose and from fecal and urine spread. Signs include high fever, nasal and ocular discharge, coughing, pneumonia, diarrhea, vomiting, and neurological symptoms. The disease is easily spread and exposure is considered inevitable during the dog’s lifetime.
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Canine Parvovirus
This is a widespread virus that is spread through the feces in the environment. Puppies with this infection have gastrointestinal symptoms including vomiting, dehydration, loss of appetite, and severe diarrhea with or without blood. Most puppies are hospitalized for treatment and the disease carries a moderate mortality rate. This virus can infect the heart muscle.
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Canine Hepatitis
A viral infection caused by an adenovirus present worldwide. This disease infects the liver, eye, nervous tissue, lungs, and kidney. It is commonly spread through the urine and saliva of dogs. Signs include increased thirst, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, corneal opacity (blue eye), and bleeding tendencies. Most symptoms are those associated with hepatitis. This disease carries a moderate mortality risk.
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Canine Parainfluenza
A highly contagious respiratory virus and is one of the most common pathogens of infectious tracheobronchitis, also known as canine cough. Although the respiratory signs may resemble those of canine influenza, they are unrelated viruses and require different vaccines for protection.
Bordetella should be given at either the 8 week or 11 week visit. It should be boostered every 6 to 12 months depending on how frequent your dog has contact with other dogs. .
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Canine Bordetella bronchiseptica or Canine Cough
This respiratory disease is really a combination of Bordetella (a bacteria) and Parainfluenza (a virus) which are usually combined in a vaccine. This is a very common infection that causes mild to severe respiratory symptoms in the puppy. These different organisms work together in the respiratory tract to cause sneezing, gagging, and coughing. The cough can be moderate to severe and is described as a dry “honking” cough, especially of the throat area is touched. The disease can progress into bronchopneumonia. It is very commonly spread through contaminated droplets from the mouth or lungs or by direct contact. The disease is very easily spread in grooming shops, kennels, parks, dog shows, or any place where puppies or dogs are grouped together. The vaccine can be given by injection and/or nasal drops.
Rabies should be done at 16 weeks, separate from other shots. It should be repeated 12 months from the initial shot. Follow your states requirement for rabies. In Florida they get their first shot at 4 months old, a year after that and then it’s only required every 3 years.
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Rabies
A fatal viral disease that infects all warm-blooded animals. The virus is spread through saliva from an infected animal which is usually spread through a bite wound or scratch. The nervous system is infected producing behavioral changes, changes in co-ordination, viciousness in dogs, paralysis of the muscles of the jaw, and seizures. Rabies is fatal in all animals and humans. Rabies vaccine is mandated by law and the duration of vaccine is regulated by each state.
Other vaccines to discuss with your veterinarian.
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Canine Coronavirus
A virus causing mild gastroenteritis with symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting. The puppy may also be lethargic and depressed. The spread is through contaminated feces. This disease is much less severe than Parvovirus and is not found in all areas of the country.
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Lyme Disease
This vaccine is very controversial and has to be discussed with your veterinarian. It is beyond the scope of this information sheet to discuss the pros and cons of this vaccination.
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Canine Influenza Virus
Canine influenza is a relatively new disease caused by a “flu” virus. The first virus (H3N8) was thought to be of equine origin when found in Florida. It is highly infectious and spreads rapidly. With initial signs being coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge and fever. Although it has low mortality rates, the morbidity rates are high.
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Canine Leptospirosis
A bacterial infection which is spread through the urine of rodents and other infected wildlife, urine of infected dogs, or contaminated water. It is commonly found in rat urine. The disease infects the liver, kidneys, and intestinal tract causing high fever, kidney damage, jaundice, hemorrhage, pain, and bloody diarrhea. This disease can be transmitted from dog to human. There are multiple strains or serovars of Leptospirosis and not all strains are in certain vaccines. Only your veterinarian can determine if your puppy needs to be vaccinated and which strain of vaccine should be used.
Intestinal parasite exam (fecal) should be done every 6 months to a year. Though giving your monthly preventative, your puppy my very well need to be dewormed at these visits. It is very common for puppies to pick up intestinal parasites.
Heartworm
Heartworm disease is a severe and even fatal condition caused by a worm that is transmitted by mosquitos. If Heartworms are contracted, your dog must undergo a dangerous and expensive series of injections of a highly toxic chemical to kill the worms.
Otherwise, left untreated, your dog will become very ill and will die. This can easily be prevented by giving your pet a monthly heartworm preventative. For heartworm preventative we recommend that you use Interceptor or Sentinel. Please stay away from Heartgard or Heartgard generics. There are many people that call heartworm preventative “heartgard” for the same reason as we call facial tissues “Kleenex”, do not get the two confused. Interceptor is one of the best HWP on the market covering a wider range of intestinal parasites than its slightly less expensive rivals. Novartis, the manufacturer of both Interceptor and Sentinel, guarantee their products only when they are sold by a licensed veterinarian. If your pet becomes infected with heartworms while currently on monthly Novartis branded preventatives they will reimburse you for the cost of treatment. This guarantee does not apply to any products purchased through online pharmacies.
Heartworm disease is a severe and even fatal condition caused by a worm that is transmitted by mosquitos. If Heartworms are contracted, your dog must undergo a dangerous and expensive series of injections of a highly toxic chemical to kill the worms.
Otherwise, left untreated, your dog will become very ill and will die. This can easily be prevented by giving your pet a monthly heartworm preventative. For heartworm preventative we recommend that you use Interceptor or Sentinel. Please stay away from Heartgard or Heartgard generics. There are many people that call heartworm preventative “heartgard” for the same reason as we call facial tissues “Kleenex”, do not get the two confused. Interceptor is one of the best HWP on the market covering a wider range of intestinal parasites than its slightly less expensive rivals. Novartis, the manufacturer of both Interceptor and Sentinel, guarantee their products only when they are sold by a licensed veterinarian. If your pet becomes infected with heartworms while currently on monthly Novartis branded preventatives they will reimburse you for the cost of treatment. This guarantee does not apply to any products purchased through online pharmacies.