jshannon

Quick FAQ’s on Vet Care for Dogs

Dogs are like babies–they require care and feeding on a regular basis. Some of that “care” includes vaccinations, parasite prevention, and disease screening.  There’s a lot of confusing information on vet care for dogs, so here’s our super simple “who/what/when” primer we use with dogs and puppies in our hospital. It includes the basic services/medications each healthy puppy and adult dog should receive.

Puppy Vet Care Schedule

  • Examination — first visit and then every 3 weeks (i.e., with every set of vaccinations) until 16 weeks of age.

  • DHP-P (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvo) vaccination — first given at 6 to 8 weeks of age, then boosted every 3 weeks until at least 16 weeks of age.

  • Rabies vaccination — given at 12 weeks of age. In Texas it cannot be given earlier.

  • Leptospirosis vaccination — given at 12 weeks of age, then boosted 3 weeks later. It can be given as early as 8 weeks of age if necessary.

  • Bordetella vaccination (oral) — given at 12 weeks of age to dogs who will be groomed, boarded, or go to dog parks and the like. It can be given as early as 8 weeks of age if necessary.

  • Influenza vaccination (bivalent) — given at 12 weeks of age, then boosted 3 weeks later, to dogs who will be groomed, boarded, or go to dog parks and the like. It can be given as early as 6 weeks of age if necessary.

  • Start monthly heartworm preventive at first visit.

  • Start monthly flea control at first visit.

  • Fecal Analysis — at first visit and as needed. Tests for intestinal parasites: roundworms, hookworms, coccidia, giardia.

  • Deworming — at first visit and as needed.

  • Spay or Neuter — in general, when a dog has reached their adult height and weight.

  • Microchip

Adult Dog Vet Care Schedule

  • Examination — every year.

  • Heartworm test — every year.

  • Fecal analysis — every year.

  • DHP-P vaccination — the vaccination is boosted within a year of the original, and then every 3 years.

  • Leptospirosis vaccination — every year.

  • Rabies vaccination — this vaccination is boosted within a year of the original (365 days or less), and then within every 3 years.

  • Bordetella vaccination (oral) — generally, every year for dogs who will be groomed, boarded, or go to dog parks and the like.

  • Influenza vaccination (bivalent) — every year for dogs who will be groomed, boarded, or go to dog parks and the like.

  • Heartworm preventive — monthly.

  • Flea control — monthly.

  • Geriatric/Senior blood profile — starting at 7 years of age and then every year.

  • Dental Cleaning — this is done under anesthesia and done periodically, as needed, per veterinary recommendation.

Hope this helps! For additional info or to schedule an appointment, call us at 281.351.7184 or schedule online.

We love ’em like you do!