Puppy Preventive Care

Welcome Puppy Visit and Exam

Your initial welcome visit with your new puppy will include your puppy's Annual Preventive Care Exam. At this visit, our team will take a detailed history (where did your new baby come from, what does he or she eat, how long have you had him or her, etc). Your veterinarian will do a complete nose-to-tail physical exam and discuss the exam with you as well as answer any questions you may have. At this visit, a GI parasite exam (sometimes called a fecal) will also be performed (don't worry - this doesn't hurt!) to make sure your new baby isn't carrying any unwanted guests! Your veterinarian will also discuss vaccines with you and their recommendations based on your puppy's needs as well as dental hygiene and cleaning and what to expect during a spay or neuter surgery.

Each new puppy receives a puppy gift from our staff at their first visit, as well as an outline of what to expect during your first year of care.

Internal and External Parasite Exam

Did you know that most new puppies come to their new owners with some unwanted hitchhikers? The most common parasites we catch in puppies are intestinal worms. Intestinal worms can cause problems with growth for your new puppy, not to mention diarrhea and vomiting. Many intestinal parasites can also be spread to humans - YUCK! During your puppy's welcome visit, we will perform an intestinal parasite screen as well as carefully check for any external parasites that may be hiding!

Heartworm, Flea, and Tick Prevention

Southwest Wisconsin is a haven for heartworms, fleas and ticks - they love it here! Fortunately, there are easy ways to prevent these unwanted guests from invading your home and infecting your puppy. Heartworms are spread by a mosquito bite, and even if your puppy is only in your yard for bathroom breaks, it is still possible to become infected with heartworms, which are difficult and expensive to treat and can be fatal. And let's face it, no one wants to find fleas or ticks on their pet (or themselves!). Every new puppy will receive a free dose of heartworm and flea/tick prevention. Your veterinarian will discuss with you what kind of monthly preventatives would be best for your puppy.

Puppy Vaccinations

Rabies (Lyssavirus)
Vaccination against rabies.

This is a fatal disease that can be passed by wildlife, including bats. Rabies is also dangerous to your human family and for that reason, Wisconsin law requires all puppies and dogs maintain a current rabies vaccination.
When: 1 vaccine AFTER 12 weeks of age
Next Booster Needed: Booster vaccination at 1 year

DA2PP (Canine Distemper, Adenovirus Type 1 [Hepatitis], Adenovirus Type 2 [respiratory disease], Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus)
Vaccination against all of the above highly contagious diseases.

It is especially important to start your puppy on this series BEFORE they meet other puppies or dogs (such as at puppy classes or the dog park). Parvovirus can live in the soil for many months, including over winter, and is often fatal despite the best care.
When: Vaccination starts as early as 6 weeks of age and continues every 2-3 weeks
Boosters Needed: 2 vaccines after 12 weeks old are needed for protection
Next Booster Needed: Booster vaccination at 1 year

Kennel Cough (Bordetella)
Vaccination against kennel cough (think of it like whooping cough).

Kennel cough is common in dogs and is spread through microdroplets of saliva and nasal discharge (such as a sneeze or cough). This vaccine is important even for puppies who are not kenneled!
When: Start as early as 3 weeks
Booster Needed: It may be recommended for high risk puppies to get every 6 months.
Next Booster Needed: 1 year of age

Leptospirosis (L. )
Leptospirosis is common in the Southwestern Wisconsin area and is often found in waterways and standing water (ponds and large puddles). Leptospirosis is a type of bacteria which is shed in the urine of infected animals, especially cattle, deer, and raccoons, and from there gets into drinkable water for your puppy. Leptospirosis can cause of variety of symptoms but one of the most severe is irreversible kidney damage

When: Start after 12 weeks of age
Booster Needed: 3 weeks after initial vaccine
Next Booster Needed: 1 year of age

Lyme (Borrelia)
Lyme disease is transmitted from an infected tick to a dog (or human) when the tick bites. Lyme disease is extremely common in the Southwestern Wisconsin area! You can check out the current level of lyme disease in your specific area by looking at these prevalence maps from the Companion Animal Parasite Council. The most common symptoms of lyme disease are lameness (limping) and arthritis symptoms (swollen, painful joints). Lyme disease can also cause significant joint damage and kidney damage in rare cases.
When: Start after 12 weeks of age
Booster Needed: 3 weeks after initial vaccine
Next Booster Needed: 1 year of age

Family Pet Hospital Welcomes Your Puppy!