Congratulations On Your New Puppy!
We are so excited that you are considering bringing your new canine family member to visit us here at Heartland Veterinary Clinic. We understand that your puppy will bring a lot of questions which we are eager to answer. Please see below for some puppy information. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
DEWORMING
Puppy deworming is very important to protect both puppy and their human family. Puppies are frequently born with, or become infected with, intestinal parasites (worms). This is why we deworm puppies several times to keep them and the rest of their human family healthy. Humans at highest risk of accidental roundworm infection are in young children, and people that have weakened immune systems.
Roundworms in humans may cause liver swelling, pneumonitis, and damage to retina or brain damage, due to migration of roundworms larvae in the body tissue. Always practice good hand washing techniques after handling your puppy or puppy’s stool to prevent transmission of any intestinal parasites. Depending if the breeder or rescue has already given the 1st deworming, typically your puppy will receive an additional 3-4 treatments of deworming when they come in for his/her monthly vaccinations. When you come for your first visit, our veterinary team will discuss your lifestyle, risk factors, and determine the timing and coverage that is appropriate to complete your puppy's deworming program.
Roundworms in humans may cause liver swelling, pneumonitis, and damage to retina or brain damage, due to migration of roundworms larvae in the body tissue. Always practice good hand washing techniques after handling your puppy or puppy’s stool to prevent transmission of any intestinal parasites. Depending if the breeder or rescue has already given the 1st deworming, typically your puppy will receive an additional 3-4 treatments of deworming when they come in for his/her monthly vaccinations. When you come for your first visit, our veterinary team will discuss your lifestyle, risk factors, and determine the timing and coverage that is appropriate to complete your puppy's deworming program.
VACCINATIONS
Vaccinations will help prevent diseases. When a vaccine is given to your pet, their immune system produces antibodies to that disease. If your pet is exposed to this disease later, these antibodies can help fight the viruses or bacteria. This means that if your pet contracts the disease, the course of illness is shorter and less severe. Puppies receive some protection from their mother's antibodies, which are transmitted through the milk. This maternal protection decreases in the first few months of life, so puppies are normally boosted multiple times anywhere from 6-20 weeks of age, and then annually.
The following is a list of the common canine diseases we can vaccinate for:
The following is a list of the common canine diseases we can vaccinate for:
PARVOVIRUS
DISTEMPER
BORDETELLA
PARAINFLUENZA
ADENOVIRUS TYPE 1 & 2
LYME
RABIES
For more information on the above canine diseases, please click here
WHAT IF I DON'T WANT TO VACCINATE MY DOG?
Some people choose not to vaccinate their dogs after the initial puppy series. We choose to vaccinate and recommend vaccinations based on the label on the vaccine. The vaccine company has done testing and research to validate on-label claims. Any protocol other than what they suggest is "off label" and as such is at the discretion of the pet owner and they take the subsequent risks upon themselves.
We have chosen the vaccines we carry after doing extensive research about the vaccine, the vaccine company, and any research papers published on side effects of vaccines. If you have any further questions please ask our staff. We will discuss your dog's lifestyle and risk factors and formulate a vaccine protocol that is best for your dog. Whatever you choose, we highly recommend at least completing the puppy series of vaccines fully.
Some people choose not to vaccinate their dogs after the initial puppy series. We choose to vaccinate and recommend vaccinations based on the label on the vaccine. The vaccine company has done testing and research to validate on-label claims. Any protocol other than what they suggest is "off label" and as such is at the discretion of the pet owner and they take the subsequent risks upon themselves.
We have chosen the vaccines we carry after doing extensive research about the vaccine, the vaccine company, and any research papers published on side effects of vaccines. If you have any further questions please ask our staff. We will discuss your dog's lifestyle and risk factors and formulate a vaccine protocol that is best for your dog. Whatever you choose, we highly recommend at least completing the puppy series of vaccines fully.
PERMANENT IDENTIFICATION
Most dogs wear a collar with tags on it, but if someone decides they want to keep your pet, they can just remove the collar and you have no proof of ownership. We recommend that your puppy have some sort of permanent identification that is registered to you. This can be a tattoo that is highly visible in the ear, or a microchip injected under the skin between the shoulder blades. The microchip is not visible, but is recognized worldwide, whereas the tattoo is only traceable within southern Alberta. We can do the microchip at any puppy appointment, but the tattoo can only be performed under anesthesia (typically done during the spay/neuter surgery).
GROOMING (Nail trims, Bathing, Ears)
Puppyhood is the best time to get your little one used to routine grooming. Play with their feet and toes to prepare for nail trims, and fold their ears open and put your finger gently around the ear so he/she tolerates grooming, cleaning and examinations. Your puppy will likely fuss at first – be sure to give them treats to keep the experience positive. We recommend only bathing your dog every 4-6 weeks, and only if he/she really needs it and if they get dirty. Be sure to use pet shampoos as they are gentler than human shampoos, even gentler than baby shampoos!
FEEDING
Feed a puppy food until your dog is at least 12 months old. Giant breed dogs will be on a large breed puppy food until 18 months old. Feeding should be done at scheduled times 2-3 times per day. This will help ensure that they are eating in general and eating an appropriate amount. Treats are great for training, but don't need to be large pieces to work well. Treats should never make up more than 10% of your dog's daily calories.
EXERCISE
Exercise is great for growing dogs, but make sure they have a chance to stop and take a break whenever it's needed. Activities to avoid until your dog is 12-18 months old are jogging, biking, or rollerblading while your dog is on a leash. These activities can impact how the bones of the legs develop. Playing in a park or yard is great, because your dog can take a break at any time.