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Adding a new puppy to the family can be the first step toward an enriching and rewarding partnership between your new puppy and his or her human family members. We’re here to help you take the next step by providing all the preventive care your puppy will need to live a long and healthy life with you.
During your first scheduled visit to GVH with your puppy we will help you to create a wellness care plan for your pup and we’ll answer all questions you might have about your puppy and how best to provide for his or her unique needs. Your puppy will receive a complete health evaluation and the first in the recommended series of vaccines to be given every 3-4 weeks until your puppy is 16 weeks of age. Your puppy’s bodyweight will be recorded in order to monitor growth and you and your veterinarian will discuss nutrition, feeding, house, crate and obedience training, spaying or castration and other aspects of puppy care. You are welcome to schedule your puppy’s future vaccination appointments during this first visit.
Vaccinations:
Dogs are susceptible to many contagious diseases, most of which are caused by viruses. Fortunately, vaccines are available to prevent our canine friends from succumbing to several of the worst ones. A series of four Distemper (DHPP) injections (approximately three weeks apart) provides the necessary immunity for puppies. The vaccine series is usually started at six to eight weeks of age. The DHPP vaccine is then given as an annual booster for the remainder of the dog's life.
During your puppy’s 16 week wellness visit he or she will be vaccinated for the rabies virus. Virginia state law requires that all dogs over 4 months of age have current rabies vaccination status. Your puppy will receive a rabies vaccine booster at his or her one year visit and the vaccine will repeated once every 3 years to maintain the current vaccination status thereafter.
Bordetella is a bacterium that causes canine upper respiratory disease known as tracheobronchitis, or more commonly, kennel cough. This bacterial infection of the respiratory tract is characterized by severe coughing and gagging. It is a very contagious airborne disease that can easily sweep through kennels, grooming parlors and other places where dogs congregate. The incubation period is about one week. Treatment usually involves antibiotics and cough suppressants and most dogs respond quickly. Occasionally dogs may develop pneumonia and require hospitalization and some will develop a chronic cough syndrome that may last for months. Puppies are particularly prone to Bordetella infection so early vaccination is recommended.
The DHPP vaccine provides protection against four contagious canine viral diseases. The following is a brief explanation of each:
DISTEMPER (D)
Distemper is one of the most severe diseases seen in dogs. It is caused by an air-borne virus similar to the human measles virus. This particular agent can invade any tissue in the dog's body. It can cause pneumonia, a thick, yellow nasal discharge, vomiting and fever. Later, convulsions may develop. Distemper is most commonly seen in young animals and tends to be most severe in that age group. Older, unvaccinated dogs may occasionally be infected. The disease usually takes several weeks to months to run its course. Once the virus invades the central nervous system, the disease will progress more rapidly. There is no effective treatment, as there is presently no specific anti-viral medicine available. Antibiotics are used to prevent secondary infections and good nursing practices help keep the animal comfortable. Distemper has an 80-90% mortality rate. Immunity from the vaccine lasts approximately thirteen months, so annual boosters are necessary.
HEPATITIS (H)
Hepatitis is an uncommon disease in dogs because the vaccine is so reliable in prevention of the infection. It is caused by either of two adeno viruses. Symptoms of hepatitis are related to damage to the liver. Vomiting, diarrhea, a high fever, and jaundice (yellow discoloration of skin and mucus membranes) can be seen. Sometimes the eyes are affected as well. As with distemper, no specific therapy is curative. The animal must be hospitalized, receiving intravenous fluids and other medications to relieve symptoms. This disease has a high mortality rate similar to distemper.
PARAINFLUENZA (P)
The parainfuenza virus causes an upper respiratory infection which is one part of the "kennel cough" complex. It is passed from dog to dog in the air. It can affect dogs of any age, and is most commonly seen where dogs are housed in groups such as boarding kennels and grooming establishments. Dogs may be carriers and show no sign of infection. Symptoms are usually related to the respiratory system. A severe cough is the most pronounced sign, and it may sound as if the dog has something caught in its throat. Some dogs run a high fever and have bronchopneumonia. No specific treatment is available, but cough suppressants and antibiotics are often prescribed.
PARVOVIRUS (P)
Parvovirus causes gastrointestinal symptoms that are devastating to young animals, but it can be seen in dogs of any age. Vomiting, bloody diarrhea, dehydration, depression and lethargy are common symptoms. Hospitalization and symptomatic therapy such as intravenous fluids, antibiotics and antiemetics (to stop vomiting) is necessary for all infected puppies and dogs. Intensive care may be required for five to seven days before improvement is seen. Some dogs may die within 12-24 hours after initial signs are seen and, without treatment 80% of infected dogs will die. Hospitalization and treatment brings the mortality rate to 20%. |
Flea and tick prevention:
No one wants to have six or eight legged parasites hitching a ride on their pets! Not only can fleas and ticks cause skin irritation, inflammation and itching, but they can transmit serious and sometimes fatal diseases to our furry friends, not to mention to us as well. Our friendly staff will work with you to determine the best external parasite prevention plan for you and your puppy now and in the future when he or she is an adult. Due to our large client volume GVH is able to offer competitive pricing on flea and tick prevention products in our office and through our online pharmacy.
Intestinal parasites:
Intestinal parasites, commonly known as worms (yuck!), will be addressed during your puppy’s first wellness visit here at GVH. A simple stool sample can divulge whether your puppy has an active parasite infestation and our staff will administer any anthelmintic agents deemed necessary.
Canine heartworm:
Canine heartworm is a parasitic roundworm (Dirofilaria immitis) that is spread from host to host through the bites of mosquitoes. The heartworm is a type of filaria, a small thread-like worm. The definitive host is the dog but it can also infect cats, wolves, coyotes, foxes and other animals, such as ferrets, sea lions and even, under very rare circumstances, humans. The parasite is commonly called "heartworm" because the adult reproductive stage of its life cycle resides primarily in the right ventricle of its host where it can live for many years.
Heartworm disease is curable if diagnosed early in its course. If not detected and treated, it can cause severe disease and eventually death. Some symptoms of heartworm disease include: difficulty breathing, coughing, loss of stamina, listlessness, and weight loss. Unfortunately, these signs may not be obvious until the disease is advanced.
Heartworm disease is easily prevented with oral or topical medications that are typically administered once per month. Your puppy must have a negative heartworm test result (indicating absence of the disease) prior to being placed on preventive medication, as severe or fatal reactions can occur if these medications are given to dogs with heartworm disease.
We recommend annual heartworm testing and monthly preventative medication for all dogs starting as early as possible. Your veterinarian will prescribe a heartworm medication that is right for you and your puppy. GVH offers a variety of choices to fit each individual animal and most also have the added benefit of controlling an array of intestinal parasites as well.
Some Easy Steps to Take to
Ensure the Safety of Your New Puppy
Poison Proof Your Home.
Check your home for possible poisons and toxins that your puppy can get into. Common toxins include antifreeze, rat or mouse bait, slug bait, and insecticides. Make sure you keep all drugs and medications out of reach.
Plant Proof Your Home.
Plants are an attractive part of home decorating, however they can be toxic to pets. Be careful what you bring in and note whether your puppy is getting into it. Ingestion of many plants can cause vomiting and/or diarrhea in most pets. Easter lilies are especially toxic and can cause fatal kidney failure. For a more complete list of plants that can be toxic to your puppy please follow this link to ASPCA website’s list of potentially poisonous plants: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/
Check Collars, Tags, and MICROCHIP.
Check your puppy’s neck at least weekly to make sure the collar is still in place and that it is not too loose or too tight. Active pups can easily lose their collar and in many cases their "identification" along with it. Consider having a microchip placed for permanent identification. The procedure is similar to a simple injection. A recent study performed at Ohio State University and published in The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association showed that dogs with embedded microchips were returned to their owners 2.5 TIMES AS FREQUENTLY as dogs without a microchip!
Puppy Proof Your Home.
Prevent common accidents in your home by puppy proofing! Protect your puppy from electrical cords and outlets by keeping cords neatly coiled and inaccessible and using commercially available outlet covers. Remove access to children’s toys, strings or small objects that can be chewed on or swallowed. Don’t allow pets near automated garage doors. Puppies and small dogs can be crushed under reclining chairs and rockers. Fold and secure window blind and curtain cords so they’re not hanging in Puppy’s reach. The real secret to puppy-proofing is to look at your home through the eyes of a dog. Find everything that looks like a swell toy, and if it's something harmful, get rid of it or make it safe.
Keep Dogs Supervised.
Walks on a leash, supervised visits to the dog park and romps in your fenced in yard are all great outlets for your puppy’s excess energy. Roaming loose and unsupervised is not. Monitor the yard and fence frequently for problems such as loose boards, open trash, and other dangers. Keep pets inside in extreme cold or hot temperatures.
Don't Let your Dog Ride in an Open Truck Bed.
Dogs that are allowed to ride in open bed pick-up trucks are frequently injured. Sudden starts, stops, and turns can toss your pet onto the road where it may be hit by oncoming traffic. It is estimated that at least 100,000 dogs die this way each year. Leashing your pet in the back does not protect it as dogs can be strangled when tossed over the side. If your pet needs to ride in back we suggest providing a crate safely secured to the cab for him or her to ride in.
Train your puppy.
A puppy with a solid recall that comes running when you call is a much safer puppy in most situations. Basic commands such as sit, down, stay and off will make life easier for you, other family members and house guests. We recommend a few local dog trainers who can lend a hand:
Know who to call.
In case of an emergency keep your veterinarian’s number handy as well as the number to your local after-hours emergency hospitals.
Greenbrier Emergency Animal Hospital
Greenbrier Emergency Animal Hospital
370 Greenbrier Dr., Suite A-2
Charlottesville, VA 22901
PHONE: (434) 202-1616
FAX: (434) 202-1620
www.greenbrier-emergency.com |
VETSS
Veterinary Emergency Treatment Service and Specialty
1540 Airport Road
Charlottesville, VA 22911
Phone: (434)973-3519
Fax: (434)973-6202
www.emergency-vets.com |
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