SHOTS & DEWORMING 

Shots
Between six and sixteen weeks of age, puppies lose the disease protection they received from their mothers and become able to form their own immunity to disease. Until your pup is four or five months old, try to prevent contact with stray or sick dogs. Avoid boarding your pup or taking her to places like highway rest stops where lots of other dogs go to the bathroom. Beginning about7 1/2 weeks, your puppy will get his first puppy shot. The 2006 guidelines state that “vaccines against canine distemper, canine parvovirus and canine adenovirus produced by major biologics manufacturers all produce excellent immune responses and can be reliably administered in extended duration of immunity protocols.” This means that puppies should be given an initial vaccine and then a booster at three to four weeks later. We give the first vaccine at 7 1/2 weeks. This means your pup should get a second vaccine from your vet, 3 to 4 weeks later, which is a total of two puppy shots. The vaccine should be administered a year later, then every three years thereafter. The “core” vaccines (distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus, rabies) should be given to every dog. “Non-core” vaccines – including parainfluenza, Bordetella, and Barrelia (Lyme disease) – are required only under special circumstances, where exposure to the disease is likely. For example, if you board your dog, Bordetella is required. Some vaccines are not recommended such as Leptospiral or Giardia vaccines. Follow this link to see the new guidelines: About twelve weeks your pup will need a rabies shot, boostered a year later and then one to three years after that, based on your state of residence.

Worms
Tapeworms are treated better with prescription rather than non-prescription medications. You do not have to withhold food with prescription. Usually, with non-prescription medications, you withhold food 12 hours before and 4 hours after treatment. Our pups are wormed at 6,and 8 weeks. Then, you will worm your pup at 10 and 12 weeks. We worm our adult dogs about every 4 months.

Heartworms
At three months, heartworm treatment should begin and continue monthly without fail, using Heartguard Plus or Interceptor. Consult your vet