Congratulations on welcoming your new puppy into your family! Beyond the love, playtime, and attention you’ll provide, it’s crucial to start veterinary care as early as possible to ensure healthy growth and a long, happy life. To help you, here’s a complete and practical guide to get your puppy off to the best start.
Initial Health Examination
Your puppy’s first veterinary exam is essential. It allows us to:
- Evaluate your puppy’s overall health
- Detect any congenital abnormalities
- Discuss diet, behavior, training, and socialization
- Set up a personalized vaccination and parasite prevention plan
We’ll perform a complete physical examination to ensure normal conformation and no congenital anomalies. This is also the ideal time to discuss feeding, parasite prevention, and other preventive care.
👉 Schedule your puppy’s first health exam as soon as possible and feel free to prepare a list of questions and concerns. We’ll be happy to answer them.
Essential Vaccinations
At birth, puppies receive temporary protection from maternal antibodies, but these diminish quickly. Vaccination is essential to protect them from serious diseases.
Core vaccinations include:
- DAPP: Distemper, Adenovirus (canine hepatitis), Parvovirus, Parainfluenza
- Rabies: Required by law in many regions
Depending on your puppy’s lifestyle and environment, additional vaccines may also be recommended:
- Leptospirosis
- Bordetella (kennel cough)
- Lyme disease
Recommended vaccination schedule:
- DAPP vaccinations every 4–6 weeks until 16 weeks of age
- Rabies vaccination around 12–16 weeks (depending on local regulations)
- Ongoing boosters to maintain strong immunity throughout life
Be sure to follow the regular booster schedule to ensure optimal protection.
Parasite Prevention
Parasite prevention is a crucial component of preventive health care for your puppy. Parasites are common and can significantly impact health if not addressed early.
Intestinal parasites:
- Deworming every 2 weeks until 3 months of age
- Then monthly until 6 months of age
External parasites & heartworm:
- Preventive treatment for fleas, ticks, and heartworm (transmitted by mosquitoes)
- Typically started around 8 weeks of age
- Monthly prevention adjusted for seasonal and regional risks
Why is parasite prevention so important?
- Prevents malabsorption and digestive issues
- Avoids chronic gastrointestinal problems
- Reduces the risk of spreading parasites to other pets
- Limits zoonotic risks (some parasites can be transmitted to humans)
During your visits, our veterinary team will assess your puppy’s specific risk factors and customize a prevention protocol accordingly.
Spaying or Neutering
Spaying or neutering offers many long-term benefits:
- Prevents certain diseases (such as pyometra and mammary tumors)
- Reduces unwanted hormonal behaviors
- Helps control pet overpopulation
Recommendations regarding the ideal age for the procedure have evolved significantly over the last decade. The timing depends on breed and expected adult size. For larger breeds, it is often recommended to wait at least 12 months before considering surgery. The larger the dog, the more advantageous it may be to wait before sterilization. Your veterinarian will advise you based on your puppy’s individual characteristics.
Pet Health Insurance
Veterinary care can become a significant investment, especially in emergencies or unexpected medical situations. Pet insurance allows you to:
- Alleviate financial stress during medical treatments
- Ensure your puppy receives the best care throughout life
When choosing an insurance plan, it’s important to compare different options considering coverage, reimbursement limits, possible exclusions, and monthly premiums.
Popular pet insurance providers include:
Our team can help you compare options and choose the most suitable plan based on your budget and your puppy’s needs.
All the services mentioned above are offered at our clinic. Learn more here.
Conclusion
By planning your puppy’s veterinary care early, you give them the best chance for a healthy and happy life. By working closely with our veterinary team, you can ensure that your puppy receives all necessary care, including vaccinations, parasite prevention, spaying or neutering, nutrition advice, insurance, and ongoing wellness care. Together, we’ll ensure this new member of your family lives a long, healthy life.
👉 Schedule your puppy’s first veterinary appointment today to get started!
Version Française ici!
