Visits to the veterinarian
Congratulations! Your new puppy is sure to bring you much happiness, but with that come responsibility like making sure your puppy is healthy.

Your puppy's first visit to the veterinarian will involve a complete check-up. After which, the veterinarian will be able to assess your pet's health and discuss important points with you such as vaccinations, de-worming treatments and diet. You might have to bring your puppy a few times for the first couple of months for a complete series of boosters and to ensure that your pet develops normally. After that, an annual visit for your puppy's check-up and vaccinations should be enough. These visits allow the veterinarian to detect any early signs of illness as well as evaluate the condition of your puppy's teeth and its general health. You can also take this opportunity to discuss any problems related to the health of your pet.

We hope you find the following information useful and that it helps guide you in maintaining the health of your new companion.

Vaccinations
It is important to regularly vaccinate your puppy for its health and normal development. Vaccinations help avoid certain dangerous and sometimes even lethal illnesses. Just like a child, your puppy should receive a series of boosters to help stimulate the immune system. After that, annual vaccinations are enough.

First vaccination at 8 weeks. This vaccine will protect your pet against many viral infections such as Distemper or Hepatitis or those caused by Parainfluenza and Parvovirus. At 12 weeks and at 16 weeks, a booster is given. All puppies allowed to go outside should be vaccinated against Leptospirosis. This vaccine is given in a series of two injections at 3-4 week intervals. Note: we strongly recommend that the Leptospirosis and the Distemper vaccinations be given at different times. Once the boosters have been given, they will be repeated 1 year later and then annually for the Leptospirosis and every 3 years for the Distemper vaccine.

If you plan on boarding your dog at a kennel, you should know that your dog will need to be vaccinated against Kennel Cough (Bordetella).

As for the vaccine against Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi), it is not usually given to dogs living in Quebec regions. However, if you are planning a trip to the U.S. and have questions about this illness, please do not hesitate to ask your veterinarian about it.

All dogs should be vaccinated against rabies, which is a lethal infection easily transmitted to humans. The first vaccination is given at 16 weeks, the second is given one year later, followed by a vaccination every three years. Note: A Rabies vaccination certificate is required when a dog travels abroad.

Vaccinations play an important part in the prevention of certain canine illnesses. Ask your veterinarian about establishing a vaccination program adapted to your pet. Usually, dogs are not bothered by these injections. However, some may become slightly drowsy or lose their appetite for one or two days. Allergic reactions are very rare; if your puppy shows signs of swelling in the face, head or neck; itching and discomfort; or persistent vomiting within 24 hours following the vaccination, contact your veterinarian immediately. These reactions will be entered in your pet's file.


Treatments against parasites
Given that most puppies have been exposed to parasites either through their mother or their surroundings, we strongly recommend that your puppy receive a routine de-worming treatment during the first visit to the veterinarian and that a stool sample be taken for analysis to make sure your puppy is free of parasites and is not suffering from Coccidiosis. The product that removes intestinal parasites from dogs can be given orally, by injection or even topically. We also recommend that you have your adult pet de-wormed or have a stool analysis done especially if you suspect your pet might have parasites.

All dogs should be given preventative heartworm treatment during mosquito season. Heartworm is a blood parasite transmitted by infected mosquitoes. It is very dangerous to the health of your pet. Moreover, treating an infected dog is complicated and the care and medication needed can be very expensive. Prevention is a much better route to take. Do not hesitate to ask us about it. Your veterinarian can set up a screening program and prescribe a pill for your dog, or a liquid that can be applied to your dog's neck, once a month for 6 months, starting in May. Your veterinarian will then carry out a blood test on your dog every two years to ensure that the medication was effective. Note: preventative heartworm treatment also protects your dog against the majority of intestinal parasites and prevents flea infestations in your home.

Outdoor dogs should receive preventative treatment against fleas during the summer months to avoid any frustrating and costly infestations in your home. Ask your veterinarian about the different ways you can deal with this problem.


Sterilisation
Non-breeding dogs should be sterilized at 4 to 6 months of age. This procedure is not only an excellent way to control the already rapidly growing canine population, but is also a way of showing how much you care about the future health of your dog. Sterilisation also affects your dog's natural but sometimes annoying behaviours. As such, marking territory with urine (in and outside your home) will become less likely and your dog will be less aggressive and less domineering.

Sterilisation is a routine surgical procedure well tolerated by both male and female puppies. Obviously, like any surgical procedure, it includes a slight risk of minor complications such as an infection where the incision was made or even a reaction to the anaesthetic. To reduce problems caused by anaesthetic, we recommend that a special blood test be carried out before surgery. On the whole, the advantages of sterilisation far outweigh the disadvantages.


Diet
When feeding your puppy, we recommend using a good quality puppy food. Many companies produce it, but what is important is that your puppy tolerates well the one you choose. If you find it difficult to choose a brand, do not hesitate to speak with your veterinarian.

The age at which you can gradually begin giving your pet adult dog food really depends on your puppy's breed and the type of diet being fed. If you have any questions relating to your puppy's diet, do not hesitate to ask your veterinarian. We strongly recommend that you do not feed your pet table scraps, which would cause your dog to develop bad dietary habits and become obese. Obesity, which is widespread among adult dogs, will predispose your pet to becoming diabetic and arthritic.


Dental hygiene
It is important to maintain your dog's dental hygiene throughout its lifetime to help avoid loss of teeth or the appearance of gingivitis. To do this, you can brush your dog's teeth with a special toothpaste and toothbrush. Ideally, you should start when your dog is young. To make it easier, start by opening your puppy's mouth and rubbing your finger on its gums at an early age. Afterwards, you can begin using the toothbrush and toothpaste.

Of course, you need patience and perseverance, but it is worth it because the veterinarian will spend less time cleaning your dog's teeth at the hospital.

At every annual check-up, the veterinarian will examine your dog's mouth and be able to diagnose problems that are about to appear. If you are having difficulty cleaning your pet's teeth, there are treats and special food items available that can help reduce tartar build-up.


Nail clipping, ear cleaning and grooming
It is important that your puppy become accustomed to getting its nails clipped and ears cleaned at a young age. Nails can be clipped with a nail clipper every 2 to 4 weeks, as needed. If you have never clipped a dog's nails, you can ask your veterinarian to show you how to do it because if you accidentally clip the nails too short, you can damage a blood vessel and nerve and cause pain and bleeding. If you are worried about doing it yourself, you can have it done by a professional groomer or by a technician at the hospital.

Dogs need an ear cleaning every 3 to 4 weeks. You should occasionally examine your dog's ears because if there were ever any abnormal discharge, redness or swelling, it could mean infection. If you need to clean your dog's ears, use gauze, a clean cloth or cotton ball soaked with a special mixture for this purpose. Cotton swabs (Q-tips) should never be used because if your pet should turn its head abruptly, you could damage the internal part of the ear. If you need to, ask us to show you how to clean your pet's ears during one of your first visits.

You might need to brush your dog daily depending on how long the fur is. Once again, it would be wise to get your puppy used to it at a young age.


Some advice
If you leave your puppy alone in the house, make sure the area is free of danger. Indoor plants that your pet might chew can represent an often unsuspected danger; some plants such as Diffenbachia are even toxic once swallowed. Also, be wary of puppy toys, i.e.: socks or shoes. If your dog were to swallow pieces of these, they could cause serious intestinal problems. Also be aware that puppies have a tendency to chew electric wiring and risk receiving an electric shock. To help solve this problem, it would be wise to invest in a crate. It would ensure both safety and protection when you have to leave your dog unattended.

Eliminate all table scraps from your dog's diet. Never give your dog chocolate or onions: these foods are toxic to your pet and can result in serious problems. If your dog is ever sick, remember that you should never give your dog medication without first consulting your veterinarian.

We strongly recommend registering your dog in obedience classes as soon as the first vaccinations have been given. Your dog will learn how to obey on command and behave with other animals.

If you have any questions about these topics or other aspects of your pet's health, do not hesitate to ask. The Pierrefonds Animal Hospital would like to be your partner in maintaining the health and well-being of your pet.