Vaccination & Parasite Prevention: Questions & Answers

 

Puppy Care: Questions & Answers

My recommendations:

Vaccinations:

  1. Complete puppy vaccination series at 16 weeks of age (Core Vaccinations Only = Distemper & Parvo) - then two weeks later do a titer to be sure puppy received immunity. This follow-up titer is so important as oftentimes the mother’s immunity can last even into 20 weeks of life which means that your dog does not have active immunity and is susceptible to disease as mother’s immunity will not allow the vaccine to work properly. Typically by 16 weeks of life your puppy can respond to the vaccination, but this needs to be confirmed with a follow-up titer 2 weeks after final puppy vaccination!!

    1. Where can you send titer? https://www.vetmed.wisc.edu/lab/cavids/titer-testing-details/

  2. At 1 year of age - Complete a Distemper & Parvo booster - then every 3 years get a titer to be sure immunity still exists. Likely will be immune for life!!

  3. Rabies - first Rabies vaccine should be given as late as possible, but you have to follow your states law. It’s the hardest on the immune system so wait as long as possible and do not give at the same time as your other vaccines. Then, you will need second Rabies one year after first vaccination, then every 3 years per state law.

    *Separate administration of each vaccine from another vaccine by 4 weeks or longer!!

    *We do not recommend non core vaccinations - We only recommend Distemper, Parvo, +/- Adenovirus!!

Heartworm:

  1. You will need to give a monthly preventative if you live in an area with mosquitoes. Ask your vet, but most areas do require a heartworm preventative.

    1. HeartGuard, HeartGuard Plus, & Interceptor are my recommendations (choose one).

Flea/Tick Preventatives:

  1. We do NOT recommend the Lyme Disease vaccination and we also do not recommend oral or topical flea/tick products.

    1. Fleas: Typically most residential households do not have flea infestation problems. If you have an indoor/outdoor cat you may need to consider if your cat arrives home with fleas, but I would recommend not treating monthly for something that may not be an issue for your household.

    2. Ticks: We recommend yard control AND topical natural coat products to prevent ticks. We also recommend checking your dog for ticks as needed after potential exposure (such as after hiking). Keep your yard free of debris and mowed too!!

      1. Topical Coat Products:

        1. 100% Pure Rose Geranium Essential Oil (must be Pelargonium x radens) - Apply one drop on skin in between shoulder blades and one drop on skin at base of tail - Apply weekly and after each bath & after swimming.

      2. Yard Products:

        1. Wondercide or Cedarcide Yard Sprays.