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YOUR PUPPY'S FIRST YEARS

VACCINATIONS The recommended vaccination schedule for puppies is:

8 weeks - DHLPPC (Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus, Coronavirus)
12 weeks- DHLPPC, Lyme Disease
16 weeks- DHLPPC, Lyme Disease, Rabies, Bordatella
20 weeks- Parvo KF-11 (for Lab, Springer, Rottweiler and Doberman pups) If your pup is 16 weeks or older when it receives its first vaccination, the DHLPPC and Lyme disease vaccinations would be repeated in 1 month. Thereafter, the DHLPPC, and Lyme disease are boosted yearly. The rabies vaccination needs a one year booster, then every two years.

LYME DISEASE

Lyme disease vaccine is recommended for dogs that have exposure to deer ticks. These ticks are found in foothill areas. The initial vaccination is repeated in 2 to 4 weeks, then annually.

BORDATELLA

Bordatella (Kennel Cough) vaccination is advised for dogs that are boarded at a kennel or that travel to shows or other places that exposes them to other dogs. A booster is given annually.

HEARTWORM

We recommend starting your dog on heartworm preventive at 2 to 4 months of age. If you wait until your dog is 6 months or older a heartworm test will be needed before starting preventative medication.

SPAYING/NEUTERING

Is suggested that spaying or neutering your dog at 4 months of age, not only prevents unwanted pregnancies, but also avoids a multitude of undesirable behavior and medical problems. Review our page on Pet Care for more information.

LICENSING

All dogs are required by law to be licensed at 4 months of age. It is a state law that your dog has a rabies vaccination before it can be licensed. Review our Adoptions Policy for more information on the cost of licensing your dog.

WORMING

Intestinal parasites are common in young puppies. When you bring your puppy in for it's first visit, bring a stool sample in with you to be checked for parasites. Even if your puppy has already been wormed, bring in a stool sample as it may need to be wormed a second time. Tapeworms will be seen on a fresh stool, so your observations are the key in diagnosing tapeworms.

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