Preventative Health Care for Your Puppy

Most veterinarians recommend that a puppy receive its first combo shot at the age of 6 weeks. This shot, abbreviated DA₂PP is the first in a series of four combo vaccinations. It protects against Canine Distemper, Adenovirus/Hepatitis, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza. In areas where Coronavirus is prevalent, a combo may also include a CPV adjunct to the combo vaccine (not necessary in Cincinnati). Puppies receive the combo shot every 3-4 weeks until the series of four is completed. At the age of 12 weeks, the combo shot may also begin to include protection against Leptospirosis*, a bacterial infection acquired from drinking water containing wildlife urine. Lepto is typically not included in the first puppy shot due to risk of allergic reaction. Because Lepto is the component of combo vaccines that dogs are most likely to have a reaction to, it is no longer recommended that dogs receive vaccination against Lepto unless they are considered to be at risk (i.e., they drink from or swim in creeks, lakes, or ponds). Once 4 combo vaccinations have been administered, your dog will not need another combo vaccine until 1 year from the date that the last vaccine was given. Depending on your veterinarian’s policy and the type of vaccinations your dog requires, you will need to do follow-up vaccinations either every year or every 3 yrs thereafter.

At the age of 12 weeks (or 16 weeks if your puppy is still very small), your veterinarian will likely administer a Rabies vaccination. This is a requirement for all dogs in most states. Your puppy will not need to receive another Rabies vaccination for a year. After the 1 year Rabies vaccination is administered, most states accept follow-up Rabies vaccinations every 3 yrs thereafter.

If you intend to send your puppy to obedience school, take him or her to the dog park, or will be boarding him or her, you will want to let your vet know. Your vet will probably recommend a vaccination called Bordatella. This vaccine offers partial protection against kennel cough, a very contagious upper respiratory infection. This vaccination may be given intranasally (up each nostril) or as an injection, depending on your veterinarian’s recommendations.

Finally, depending on your location, your vet may recommend a vaccination against Lyme disease. Talk to your vet as he or she may want to give this vaccination either every 6 months or once a year.

You should plan to make sure your puppy has completed his or her vaccinations before introducing him or her to other dogs whose health and vaccination status is unknown.

Heartworm is a serious disease in the dog that can be fatal unless treated, and even then, some dogs do not survive the treatment. It is spread by mosquitoes that infect a dog with larvae (immature worms) when they bite and feed. The larvae circulate in the dog’s bloodstream and take 6 months to mature. Once they become adults, heartworms travel to and lodge in the heart. Left untreated, they cause the dog to go into heart or respiratory failure. Heartworm disease can be prevented by giving your puppy a medication such as Heartgard, Iverhart, or Interceptor. These medications are given once a month, at minimum during the times of the year when mosquitoes are present in the environment. Ideally, heartworm preventative is given year-round. Heartworm preventative is only effective for killing the heartworm larvae. Given to a dog with adult worms, it can kill them! For this reason, heartworm preventative requires a prescription from your veterinarian, who will do a yearly blood test to verify that your dog does not have adult heartworm. You can begin heartworm preventative for your puppy as early as 6-8 weeks of age. Your vet may be able to provide you with a free sample for your puppy’s first dose - it doesn't hurt to ask!

12-13 weeks:      Third combo vaccine (DA₂PP)

Rabies

Puppies at risk: Lepto, Coronavirus, Lyme, Bordatella

                                Milestone:  Puppies are showing better bladder and bowel control and are usually fairly well potty trained by this point (although accidents may still happen on occasion)

15-16 weeks:      Final visit for vaccinations, including DA₂PP

                                Puppies at risk: Lepto, Coronavirus, Lyme, Bordatella

                                Milestone:  Puppies are learning to understand their rank in the "pack", which includes learning where they fit in with both their humans and other dogs; the next few months will be a critical time to assert calm authority