Found at: http://lrci.filipinowebservices.com/article/articleprint/39/-1/27/
|
Bring Your Puppies to the Vet, or Else...
|
|
Top level
Pfizer Animal Health
|
New puppies are really cute, cuddly and fun to play with. Like newborn babies, they are fragile and prone to sickness. And like newborn babies, a doctor needs to check on them first to ensure good health.
A puppy’s first visit to the veterinarian is truly important. It is the ideal time to discuss vaccination schedules, spaying and neutering, nutrition and puppy training.
Here are valuable things to remember when taking puppies to the vet:
· Arrive early for your appointment. This will give you ample time to register your pet as a new patient. Be sure to have your pet on leash or in a crate to keep him/her safe.
· Bring your pet’s stool sample to the vet for fecal analysis. Put it in a secured plastic bag.
· Bring any information you have regarding your new pet like proof of previous vaccinations, deworming or medical care.
· Puppies are usually well behaved for their exams but if he begins to get nervous, give him a lot of comfort and praise.
· Assist the vet during the check-up. The vet usually starts the examination by taking the puppy’s temperature. Then, he examines your pet’s eyes to look for infection or presence of foreign bodies. He checks on the bite, lips and mouth. He also listens to the pup’s heart to detect heart murmurs. Your pet’s lungs should be clear and the nose free of discharge. The abdomen and vagina are carefully checked too.
Various Vaccines your Pups need
The Pfizer Animal Health Group, a Pfizer division that produces vaccines, antibiotics and anti-parasitics for companion animals recommends that a series of vaccinations be given to your pups to protect them from distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, parainfluenza and coronavirus.
· DHPPiL. Also known as five-in-one combo, this vaccine is given starting 6 weeks with full protection at the third shot or at 12 weeks. High-titer vaccines (Vanguard Plus 5L) provides better protection against parvovirus.
· DHPPiL-CV. 6-in-one combo (Vanguard Plus 5 CV-L), given to pups from 6 weeks of age with additional protection from coronavirus. Although the coronavirus component is not a core vaccine, evidence of dual infection with parvovirus are much more severe and usually more fatal in pups.
· RABIES. Puppies should definitely be vaccinated against rabies (Defensor3) at 12 to 16 weeks of age. Your vet may recommend additional vaccination against kennel cough or bordatella.
The vet will also give you information regarding flea control, heartworm prevention, diet and when to spay or neuter your pup.
The first trip to the vet is a great learning experience for you and your puppies. Working together with you pets’ doctor will keep them healthy and allow you to enjoy them longer and better.