Congrats on your new pup! Owning a puppy is extremely rewarding, but there is also a lot of responsibility. We have outlined our vet’s recommendations for new owners below. If you have concerns about your puppy’s health, please give us a call to consult with one of our veterinarians.
Veterinary Visits
Most puppies begin to visit the vet (or in the case of our mobile vet practice, us visiting you) at two to three weeks of age for their first health check. Vaccinations begin at six to eight weeks of age. Flea, tick and heart worm preventatives begin at three to six months of age depending on your pups breed and weight. There are many dangerous diseases that can affect dogs, such as parvovirus, a large threat on the Central Coast. Other common diseases that are preventable include distemper, hepatitis and rabies. The best way to protect your new best friend is to stay on the recommended schedule for vaccinations.
Permanent Identification
It is highly recommend to microchip your puppy as soon as possible. The microchip is a small device that is injected into your puppy, readable by a special scanner (veterinarians, humane societies and animal shelters across the country own these scanners). The national registry associated with the chips helps to identify the owners of the animal.
Spaying and Neutering
Spaying female dogs consists of removing the reproductive organs to eliminate the dog’s heat cycles (time when a female can become pregnant). During the heat cycle, male dogs will be attracted to the female from up to two miles away. The benefits of spaying include preventing the risk of unplanned pregnancy and eliminating the chance of uterine disease and breast cancer. Consult with your vet first, but it is generally recommended to spay your female dog anytime after six months of age.
Male dogs who have not been neutered will jump fences and barrel past doors if they can smell a female dog in heat. Intact males also tend to be more territorial toward other male dogs and are prone to prostatic disease and testicular cancer as they age. Neutering is the simple process of removing the testicles and may be performed anytime after six months old. This helps to regulate overpopulation and keep your dog healthy.
If you have any questions about your new puppy, make an appointment on ccoastvet.com or call us at (805) 316-1990.
