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www.cranimalhospital.com
New Puppy Care Health Recommendations and Information
If this is your first puppy or you are a pro at puppy rearing, the doctors and staff at Cedar Rapids Animal Hospital are here to answer any questions that you may have. It is very important to start at a young age with proper socialization, potty training and teaching basic commands. We know how exciting and frustrating it can be to have a new puppy and we would like to make the transition into your home a smooth one. These are our health recommendations and some general information on caring for your new puppy. General Health Recommendations Doctors at the Cedar Rapids Animal Hospital recommend that you bring any new puppy in for a physical exam within the first week of bringing them home. General recommendation is that Distemper/Parvo vaccinations are given at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age and Rabies vaccine is given at 16 weeks of age. Occasionally a puppy will be given vaccines at a breeder or shelter. We recommend that you bring any records given to you to your first appointment. If necessary we can adjust your vaccine schedule. Even if your new puppy isn't due for any vaccines it is important to get them checked out to make sure there are not any noticeable health problems.
First Puppy Visit Physical Exam and Consultation
Distemper/Hepatitis/Parainfluenza/Parvo Vaccine Intestinal Parasite Screen (please bring a stool sample)
Second Puppy Visit Physical Exam and Consultation DHPP Booster Vaccine Intestinal Parasite/Heartworm and Flea Medications.
Third Puppy Visit Physical Exam and Consultation DHPP Booster Vaccine (good for 1 year) Rabies Vaccine (good for 1 year)
Intestinal Parasite/Heartworm and Flea Medications
Spaying and Neutering Spaying and neutering can be preformed when your puppy is about 6 months of age. This provides many long term health and behavior benefits to both female and male dogs. Dogs that go unspayed or neutered are more likely to get multiple types of cancer and can potentially be more aggressive towards other dogs, people and kids. Important reasons to spay or neuter your pet
Additional Vaccinations to Consider These vaccines are based on your puppies lifestyle. A doctor will discuss these with you at your first puppy visit and help you decide if they would be good for your puppy. Bordetella can be given as soon as your first puppy visit. We recommend starting Leptospirosis and Lyme Disease vaccinations 4 weeks after your last puppy visit. Leptospirosis - If your puppy may come in contact with contaminated urine or feces of wildlife such as raccoons, deer, mice, rats, skunks and opossum we recommend vaccination for Leptospirosis. Other risks for exposure include; taking your puppy to the dog park, running on trails or in wooded areas, or even walking in your neighborhood. Bordetella- Bordetella (Kennel Cough) is required by all boarding facilities. We also recommend this vaccine if you plan to take your puppy to the groomer, a puppy class, or a training facility. Lyme Disease- Dogs that frequent areas with a high tick population would be a good candidate for a Lyme disease vaccination. There has been a slight rise in dogs testing positive for Lyme disease in the past year in our practice. This is a disease that is becoming more prevalent in our area.
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