We make sure we allow ample time to spend with you and your puppy during your first visit. We like to discuss nutrition, behavior, vaccinations, parasite control, breed related diseases, pet insurance etc. at this time. We will give your puppy a complete physical examination to make sure that it is healthy and has no congenital abnormalities.
Because puppies do not have fully developed immune systems they need a series of vaccinations to get good protection. We generally vaccinate at 8, 12, and 16 weeks of age. Puppies are vaccinated for a variety of viral diseases including distemper, parvovirus, parainfluenza, hepatitis and coronavirus. They are also given a rabies vaccination at 16 weeks of age. Puppies that are going to a kennel should also be vaccinated for the bacteria causing "Kennel Cough".
Puppies can acquire worms from their mother before they are born. Puppies are never too young to be carrying worms and are dewormed during their first two visits.
Puppies can be spayed or neutered at 6 months of age. Studies have shown that spaying/neutering your pets before this age can affect their bone growth, so we prefer to wait until this time.