When
you purchase a puppy, you need to learn as much about your new dog as
you possibly can. Soon after you welcome your puppy home, take it to
the veterinarian to learn about its health. Here are some specific
questions to ask the vet during your initial appointment.
Is
the Puppy in Good Health?
You'll
first want to make sure that the puppy is in good health. Even when
you purchase from a well-respected breeder who's already had had the
dog checked out by a veterinarian, you should still get a bill of
clean health from your own veterinarian. Sometimes there are
underlying issues that may go undetected until a puppy is a little
older and already purchased.
Checking
the puppy's health status isn't just for the dog's sake. While you or
the breeder (depending on the situation) should take care of any
medical issues that are discovered, the purpose of a health check is
also for your own financial protection.
Most
dog breeders and pet stores provide health guarantees that the dogs
they sell are in good health. If a dog isn't in good health, a
guarantee may provide the buyer with a full refund.
These
guarantees, however, frequently require you to take a purchased puppy
to the veterinarian soon after buying it. If you fail to bring the
dog to a veterinarian for a clean bill of health within a specified
time, such as 4
8–72
hours
,
any health guarantee that a breeder or store provides might be void.
What
Vaccinations Does the Puppy Need?
All
dogs need at least some vaccinations, and these shots should be given
on-schedule to protect a puppy as much as possible. Some vaccines
can't be given until a dog reaches a certain age. You shouldn't wait
beyond the recommended age, though, because any unnecessary delay
only leaves your puppy susceptible to potentially harsh diseases.
Additionally,
puppy classes and dog parks might require your puppy to have certain
vaccines before you can take them to the class or park. A rabies
vaccination, in particular, is usually required.
In
addition to rabies, your puppy will likely also need vaccinations
for:
-
Bordetella
bronchiseptica:
The
primary cause of kennel cough
-
Canine
distemper:
A
virus that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous
systems
-
Corona Virus:
A
virus that impacts the gastrointestinal system
-
Leptospirosis:
A
bacterial infection that may evidence no symptoms
-
Parvovirus:
A
highly contagious virus that can lead to extreme dehydration
Your
veterinarian may also recommend a vaccination for Lyme disease
depending on where you live.
Depending
on how old your puppy is when you acquire it, the dog might already
have some vaccinations. The breeder or pet store should furnish a
shot record if any vaccinations have already been given. If you
receive such a record, make sure you bring it to your veterinarian so
they know what the puppy already has been vaccinated against.
Do
You Need to Treat the Puppy for Worms?
Worms
are common parasites that plague most dogs, and many are even born
with them. While some worms are more dangerous than others, all
should be treated and your veterinarian can recommend the best course
of treatment. When you first bring your puppy home, there are two
particular types of worms to be aware of.
Roundworms
are common in dogs and can also infect humans if people touch a dog's
feces or dirt where a dog took care of business. These worms also
infect nearly all puppies at birth, for mothers commonly have dormant
roundworm larvae in their tissue. In dogs, the worms can cause issues
with fur, the liver, and the intestines.
Because
roundworms are so common, your veterinarian will likely want to test
a stool sample to check for them. If your puppy hasn't already been
treated for the worms, the stool sample will likely come back
positive and you'll need to give the dog medication to eradicate
these worms.
Heartworms
are one of the most serious parasites that can infect your puppy, for
these worms latch on to the right side of the heart and can cause a
blockage that's fatal. They may also damage the lungs.
Dogs
don't contract heartworms from other dogs but rather from mosquitos.
Thus, all dogs are potentially at risk of being infected with worms.
Because there's an ever-present risk, your veterinarian will probably
recommend giving your puppy a regular heartworm preventative, which
is a medication that kills any heartworms they contract for the
duration of the dog's life.
When
Should the Dog be Spayed or Neutered?
Unless
you have intentions of breeding your new puppy, the dog should be
spayed or neutered sometime when they're young. This will ensure they
don't have puppies once they reach adulthood. Your veterinarian can
recommend when to spay or neuter your dog.
If
you have a new puppy and need to see a veterinarian
,
bring them to South Seattle Veterinary Hospital.
