What are core vaccines?
Core vaccines for puppies include a distemper-parvo combo, which also vaccinates for other things, hepatitis in particular because it's a combo vaccine. Leptospirosis, which is a disease that animals get from wildlife, is contagious to people, and it's really on the rise here in Kansas City. Bordetella, which is the kennel cough vaccine, and then rabies are also some of the core vaccines for puppies.
Dr. Larry Nieman
Neighborhood Vets Mobile Care
How often does my puppy need to go to the veterinarian for puppy vaccinations?
Of course, we come to your home to deliver those vaccines, but puppies need to start getting vaccinations pretty much the day that you get them or soon after and then every three to four weeks until the puppy is at least 14 weeks of age.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (913) 912-2319, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media https://www.facebook.com/NeighborhoodVets, https://www.instagram.com/neighborhoodvets
How will proper puppy care impact the life of my dog?
What you do with your puppy when the puppy is young will have a long-term effect on your dog as he grows up into an adult and into his senior years. So socialization starts on the seventh week, and it goes until the 17th week, and then it's over. So what you do during that 10-week period is really important in the life of your dog, who's your family.
Dog Puppy Care - FAQs
Dr. Larry Nieman
Neighborhood Vets Mobile Care
Why is it important to start good puppy care on day one?
For the reasons that I just told you. What we do with puppies while they're young affects them their whole life. Sometimes they can't be changed. It's hard to treat it, and it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks.
How soon should I bring my puppy in to see a veterinarian for their first exam?
It needs to be as soon as possible because what you're doing with your puppy from day one is really critical. Where he sleeps, what he eats, what you say to him, how he goes outside, how the family interacts with him, all of those are really important, and they start on day one. Your veterinarian is the guy who's been trained to help you do that.
What are the most common health problems in puppies?
Vomiting and diarrhea are the most common, but anything unusual in their behavior, like a lack of eating, limping, and they sometimes get over rambunctious and get injured. Dietary indiscretion is the number one cause of puppies coming to see the veterinarian.
What are some signs and symptoms of illness in your puppy?
Vomiting and diarrhea are the most common, but limping or drinking excessive water, not drinking water, failing to eat, having any kind of strain or discomfort, or not sleeping well. All those are important.
What are the signs of a healthy, thriving puppy?
In veterinary medicine, we call it bright, alert, and responsive. What that means for you is that your puppy is playful, he sleeps because puppies sleep a lot, and they should sleep soundly and need to go out regularly and frequently. They also need to be hungry enough to clean up meals when you feed them.
When should I start training my puppy?
We recommend that you start on day one, and in our practice, when we see a puppy's first visit, we have a special document printed out for every client about socialization and getting started with house training. That needs to start on day one.
What will my veterinarian be looking for when first examining my puppy?
Your veterinarian's going to do a complete physical exam from the tip of the tail to the tip of the nose. He's going to look at your puppy's eyes and his facial expression. He is going to look down the ears with an otoscope, look at his teeth that are starting to come in, on the back of his throat, and feel his lymph nodes. He's going to palpate his liver and his kidneys, his spleen, colon, and abdominal cavity, and look under his tail and watch how he walks and maintains his gait.
What vaccinations does my puppy need?
Your puppy needs core vaccinations. In our practice, that's a combination of distemper-parvo vaccination, Bordetella, and rabies vaccines. Those are the ones that every puppy needs. Puppies start off vaccinations somewhere between seven weeks as soon as they get to the veterinarian, and they get boosters every three to four weeks to maintain immunity. That usually ends at 14 to 16 weeks of age.
How often does my puppy need to go to the veterinarian for puppy vaccinations?
Every three to four weeks until they're 14 to 16 weeks of age.
Are there any risks associated with vaccinations?
Sure. There are risks with everything we do, but because these vaccines that we're using nowadays are so scientifically formulated, reactions to vaccines are usually minimal, but fever and pain at the injection site are the most common side effects of getting vaccinations in puppies.
Does my puppy need vaccinations even if I keep them inside?
For sure. If you keep your dog inside, he rarely ever gets exposed to any of those contagious and infectious diseases, so booster vaccinations every three or four weeks are really important. When he is an adult, yearly vaccinations are critical for that house dog.
What if I miss one of my puppy's vaccinations?
No problem. The fact that you've recognized that you missed it is the most important part. You just need to get on the phone or get on your computer and schedule with your veterinarian for the next available visit.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (913) 912-2319, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media https://www.facebook.com/NeighborhoodVets, https://www.instagram.com/neighborhoodvets
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