Your New Puppy’s Health
Vaccination Protocol
DAP (Intervet – Distemper.Adenovirus Type2.Parvovirus) Minimum of 8 weeks followed by boosters every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks, then in 1 year,then approved for 3 years.
Bordetella (canine cough) - At 12 weeks; then every 6-12 months depending on lifestyle.
Rabies - At 16 weeks; booster at 1 year; then every 3 years.
Rattlesnake - Series of 2 at 1 month apart; then booster every spring or 1 month before rattlesnake exposure; then every 6 months.
Parasite Prevention
You can, at any time, bring in a fecal (poop) sample for parasite evaluation. Village Veterinary Clinic (VVC) recommends keeping your puppy on heartworm/internal parasite and flea prevention all year around (Advantage-Multi, Interceptor, or Sentinel). Avoid using any over-the-counter (OTC) Flea control (THEY ARE INEFFECTIVE & CAN BE LIFE THREATENING!). Village Veterinary Clinic's recommended flea prevention includes: Advantage, Advantage-Multi, Advantix (fleas & ticks), Comfortis, & Preventic collar (ticks only).
Spa Days
Brushing your puppy’s teeth regularly can help to keep them clean. Puppy’s teeth should be evaluated yearly and cleaned (scaled & polished) on a regular basis. Your puppy will loose baby teeth at 4-6 months of age. Some puppies do not lose their puppy teeth our veterinarians will help you determine if those teeth need to be extracted. It is important to take time to groom your puppy. Toe nails should be trimmed, hair mats should be removed, and anal glands kept empty. Village Vet offers grooming and bathing Monday through Friday to help with your puppies special needs.
Nutrition
It is important to feed your puppy good quality food. A few of our veterinarian’s recommendations include: California Natural, Canidae, Flint River Ranch, Iams, Innova, Pinnacle, and Royal Canin.
Feeding puppies: Feed your puppy 3 times daily with a puppy diet. Large breed puppies have specific requirements and should be fed large breed growth food to insure strong bones. Healthy treats and toys such as Kong, rope toys, & appropriate sized tennis balls are good ways to keep your puppy happy
Spaying and Neutering
The ideal age to spay (female sterilization) or neuter (male castration) is between 4-6 months of age.
Spay: VVC advises spaying before her first heat cycle to decrease the probability of mammary cancer. Spaying your puppy removes the risk of pyometra (a life threatening uterine infection) and decreases her desire to roam.
Neuter: VVC advises neutering at a young age, eliminating testicular cancer, lessening the probability of prostate enlargement and decreasing his tendency to “mark” his territory and his desire to roam.
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY REQUIRES SPAYING & NEUTERING
MicroChipping
The microchip is and internal identification for your puppy. If an unknown puppy/dog (regardless of age) is brought in to Village Veterinary Clinic or an animal shelter, a microchip scan will be performed. If a microchip number is detected and has been activated by the client, Village Veterinary Clinic or the animal shelter will then contact the microchip company and that company will then inform you…MicroChipping is NOT A GPS System! You must activate your pet's microchip number with the microchip company. If you have any questions, please ask any staff member or click here for more information.