Overview
Bringing home a new puppy is a time of uncertainty for the puppy and new owner. As a new puppy owner, you may have numerous questions concerning the health of your new puppy. Some things that a puppy does are merely inconveniences, such as eating grass and vomiting. However, there are other things that point to a health problem, such as diarrhea. When you add watching for those signs and remembering a vaccination schedule, worming schedule and house training, your first few months with the puppy become a hectic blur.
When Should I Vaccinate My Puppy?
A puppy should get its first vaccination when it is 6 to 8 weeks old. Every 3 to 4 weeks after that, the dog should get another set. This continues until it's 16 weeks old. Most dogs should get a rabies shot at 12 weeks old. In some areas, this age may be younger. The exact vaccination schedule should be done according to your veterinarian's instructions because certain breeds, such as bully breeds, are more likely to succumb to diseases like Parvovirus.
When Does My Dog Need to be Wormed?
The person you bought your puppy from should have wormed the dog at 2 weeks old. The wormer should be given every 2 weeks thereafter until the dog is 8 weeks old. In some cases, it may be continued until 12 weeks. However, this should only be done under a veterinarian's supervision.
What About Heartworms?
Some heartworm preventative can be given as early as 4 weeks. Others may be started between 6 weeks and 12 weeks. The age at which you give your puppy its first heartworm preventative depends partially on the size of the puppy and partially on the brand of heartworm your veterinarian prescribes. In any case, it is vitally important to continue giving the puppy its heartworm preventative according to the recommended schedule year round. This is usually monthly.
How Do I Know if My Puppy is Really Sick?
There are numerous signs that you need to watch for when you bring home a puppy. Lethargy is a sign of numerous diseases, including Parvovirus, as is lack of appetite. These are signs that prompt a call to your vet. If your dog refuses to drink, it may become dehydrated, which is serious in a puppy. To determine if it's dehydrated, pinch the skin on the back of its neck. If it is tacky and stays like it was when you pinched it, the dog is dehydrated. Diarrhea is another sign that something is wrong. However, if you are feeding the puppy a different food than what it was eating at the previous owner's house, it may have a slight case of diarrhea.
When Should I House-train My Puppy?
Generally, a dog can't truly be house-trained until it's about 4 months old. It will have trouble controlling its bladder before then. However, the basic rules of house training should be introduced as soon as you bring the puppy home. In order to minimize the risk of the puppy developing a bladder infection, you should take it out to use the bathroom often. Taking it out after playing, when waking up and after eating is a must, as these are the times when it is more likely to have an accident.
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