The first veterinary visit should occur when the puppy is 6-8 weeks old. 

There are 2-4 more appointments needed after this visit in the first 2-3 months to be sure the puppy is adequately vaccinated.  After puppyhood, the dog should be examined every 6-12 months for the remainder of its life.  (More often if there are any medical conditions to follow.)  The number of puppy visits are determined by a variety of factors, including their age, where they were obtained from, their health status, what vaccinations if any have already been given, and whether the dog will travel and where the dog goes on a day to day basis. 

The following information is provided to give you and idea of our wellness protocols, but is never exactly the same for each pet.  Your puppies' wellness plan will determined based on lifestyle factors at the initial and follow up visits.

ALL puppies should receive the following:

1. A Comprehensive Physical Exam at the initial visit and a Brief Exam at each following vaccination visit.
2. A Da2PP vaccine at ages 6, 8, 12, and 16 weeks of age.   
3. A Rabies vaccine at 16 weeks of age.
4. A Deworming for intestinal worms at each puppy visit.  (Please see our link to the CDC website regarding the recommendations for veterinarians to prevent disease in humans, if you have questions about this.)
5. A Fecal test for bacterial and protozoal parasites. (Again, you can visit the CDC website for more information about diseases you can get from your pet.) 
6. Presurgical Blood Testing for any puppy who will be having surgery such as spaying or neutering.
7. Heartworm Prevention, starting at 12-16 weeks of age.

Some puppies will need:

1. The Leptospirosis vaccine (If they will be going outdoors, or if raccoons, skunks, foxes, deer, cattle or other wildlife enter your yard or your pet has access to any areas where these animal may have been.)
2. Additional dewormings or parasite treatments if abnormalities were found in the fecal specimen.
3. Bordetella vaccination if the puppy will go to puppy classes, doggie day care, a boarding facility, the groomer, the dog park, or anywhere else they may be in the vicinity of unknown dogs.
4. Seasonal Flea and tick prevention if the dog will go outdoors or travel to endemic areas.
5. The Giardia vaccination is offered for dogs who are high risk only.

It is our hospital protocol to vaccinate dogs only for diseases that they could be exposed to, or the benefit of the vaccine outweighs the potential for side effects.  Therefore, we DO NOT vaccinate any dogs for Lyme disease or rattlesnake bites, due to the low risk in our area.  Rabies vaccines are required by law for all dogs regardless if they are at risk.  The remainder of the puppy visit items are always recommended, but ultimately your puppies' care is YOUR choice. 

Dog vaccines are tailored to your pets lifestyle.  Therefore, every dog will have a different ideal health plan.  Please be understanding of this if a staff member is unable to give you and exact estimate of cost without an initial exam and history.