For many pet lovers, there is nothing more exciting and fun than getting a new puppy! Your San Bruno Pet Hospital veterinarian is your partner in making sure your puppy gets the best puppy wellness care possible. Our puppy wellness care ensures your new friend starts off on the right paw. The first few months of a young dog’s life are critical to their development, future health, and well-being.
You should schedule your puppy to see the veterinarian as soon as possible after you adopt. Below is information on a few aspects of what you can expect when it comes to puppy wellness care!
Comprehensive Physical Exams
Is your puppy’s growth on track? Are there any telltale signs of current or future health issues? How large will my puppy get? Your San Bruno Pet Hospital veterinarian can answer all these questions, as well as any others that come up along the way.
Vaccinations
Just like newborn babies, the immune systems of young pets are not fully developed. This means they are more susceptible to disease, and vaccines are critical to the health of your puppy. Puppies need a series of vaccinations given at monthly intervals to be protected.
Our comprehensive vaccination program includes:
- DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza) – a critical 4-way vaccine administered in 3-4 boosters
- Leptospirosis – especially important for dogs who will spend time outdoors or around wildlife
- Bordetella – protects against kennel cough and is required for training classes and boarding
- Canine Influenza (Bi-Valent) – protects against the two most common strains of canine influenza
- Rabies – required by California law for all puppies over 16 weeks of age
Important Note: For your puppy’s safety, we recommend avoiding public areas until two weeks after the second DHPP vaccine or until the full vaccine schedule is completed.
Intestinal Parasite Screening
It’s very common for puppies to have worms, and they can make your new friend very sick and weak. Some of these worms can also infect your human family members. Fecal testing for intestinal parasites is a must for puppies. Should your pup test positive for hookworms, whipworms, roundworms, or tapeworms, we’re ready to help.
Spay & Neuter
We recommend spaying female puppies at 6 months of age. This procedure, when done before the first heat cycle, significantly reduces the risk of mammary cancer later in life. For male puppies, we recommend neutering between 8-12 months of age to eliminate problems like prostatitis and testicular cancers.
For breeds predisposed to hip dysplasia, we can take hip X-rays during the spay/neuter procedure to screen for this condition.
Microchipping
One of the most important things you can do for your pet is to microchip them. Unlike collars, microchips stay with your pet for life and make it much more likely that your dog will return to you if lost.
First Doses of Heartworm, Flea, & Tick Preventative
Fleas and ticks are not only unpleasant, they carry disease and can be very detrimental to a young dog’s health. Heartworm can be deadly, and while there is treatment available for dogs, it is expensive and hard for your pet. We’ll make sure your puppy is protected with their first doses of flea, tick, and heartworm prevention.
We recommend starting heartworm preventative at 8 weeks of age and continuing monthly for your dog’s lifetime. For flea, tick, and parasite protection, we offer several effective options:
- Interceptor Plus – prevents heartworm disease and treats various worm infections
- Simparica Trio – prevents heartworm disease, kills fleas, and controls tick infestations and certain worm infections
- Revolution – topical solution that protects against fleas, heartworm, and certain intestinal parasites
Behavior Counseling
While it may be true that puppies don’t come with instructions, counseling with our veterinarians about the best housebreaking methods, the importance of socialization, and basic training will set your pup up for success as a family member. We can also advise you on feeding schedules and options for optimum health.
For puppy training resources, we recommend Dunbar Academy Dog Training. San Bruno Pet Hospital clients can access a free 1-month trial to the Top Dog Academy at dunbar.info/SBPH.
Puppy Nutrition
We recommend feeding puppies a high-quality puppy food from reputable brands such as Science Diet, Iams, Eukanuba, Pedigree, or Purina from weaning until 1 year of age. Look for foods with an AAFCO label, which certifies that the food meets established nutritional standards.
For large breed puppies (Great Danes, Dobermans, Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers, Labradors, etc.), we recommend specialized large breed puppy food to reduce the risk of orthopedic issues, including hip dysplasia.
Schedule Your Puppy’s Visit
To schedule a puppy wellness care visit, call us at (650) 583-5039.
For more information on all things dog, visit our Tips for Dogs section!
