- 6-7 weeks old: first puppy visit
- This includes a routine physical exam, explanation of introducing your puppy to training, diet recommendations, vaccine schedule and recommendations based on his/her life style, explanation of heartworm/intestinal parasite and flea/tick prevention, nail trim, fecal exam (please bring a stool sample), and their first vaccine (if they haven’t already received it).
- First vaccine: : DHPP Combo vaccine (Distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and parainfluenza) – These are viruses your puppy can be introduced to when socializing with other dogs or puppies.
- We will need to booster this vaccine every 3-4 weeks until your puppy is 16-20 weeks of age. This is because we are introducing viruses allowing them to create their own antibodies, however we are also competing with their maternal (mother’s) antibodies until they wane around 16 weeks old.
- 9-10 weeks old: second puppy visit (age depends on when your first puppy visit is/when you adopt the puppy)
- Second vaccine: DHPP Combo vaccine (Distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza).
- Talk about Bordetella vaccine – this is for kennel cough. If your puppy is going to be boarded, groomed, or go to doggy day care, we will recommend this vaccine as they are at a higher risk of this being around other dogs/puppies.
- 12-13 weeks old: third puppy visit
- Third vaccine: DHPP Combo vaccine +/- leptospirosis.
- Introduce leptospirosis vaccine – This is a zoonotic (animals can give to people) disease dogs can get from drinking standing water that little critters (opossums, raccoons, squirrels) have urinated in. We can discuss your puppy’s lifestyle and if they are at risk. This vaccine will need one more booster.
- 16 weeks old: last puppy visit
- Fourth vaccine: DHPP Combo vaccine +/- leptospirosis.
Rabies vaccine: This is a neurologic virus that your puppy could contract from raccoons or bats in this area. Legally, puppies are required to have this vaccine.