All about your dog
Veterinary wellness schedule for dogs
Watch the puppy`s behavior closely and look for the incidence of any symptoms (please see veterinary schedule of cats) during the integration process.
Initial examination to evaluate the puppy`s general health, parasitic treatment (endo- and ectoparasites) and dietetic advice.
General vaccination begins at 9 weeks of age and will be renewed twice at 13 and 17 weeks of age. This includes the protection from diseases like canine distemper, parvoviral enteritis, infectious hepatitis, kennel cough, and leptospirosis and rabies. All vaccinations have to be renewed once a year, rabies at least every 3 years.
Let`s have a look at Henry`s first visit and his experiences at the doctor:
Remember! For travelling abroad with your dog, you have to carry along with you the new EU-pet-passport (since October 2004 under EU-law) with documented, current vaccinations and unmistakable, distinguishing features of your pet (implanted microchip mandatory since 2011 on or before the day of the vaccination against rabies!).
Castration (spaying of the bitch): there is a controversial discussion among pet owners and veterinarians about the necessity of spaying, the procedure itself (ovariectomy or ovariohysterectomy) and the right time for the operation.
I highly recommend the early spaying of your bitch, as early as 6 months of age, before the first heat (latest between the first and the second heat)!
I am pleased to discuss with you the advantages and disadvantages of the early spaying.
Castration (neuter of the male): the decision and the right time to neuter is basically dependent on his behavior (aggressiveness, hypersexuality) and/or medical reasons like inguinal/abdominal cryptorchidism (with an increased risk for tumors!), prostatic diseases, excessive preputial inflammation and discharge, and others.
Quarterly deworming routine
Monthly protection against ectoparasites, like flees, ticks and moskitos via spot-on-drugs
Caution: when travelling with your dog abroad, there is an increased risk of infection for tick- and moskito-borne diseases, so-called "traveling diseases", like leishmaniosis, ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, heart worm disease and others!
Brushing your dog`s teeth and the regular ultrasonic dental scaling and polishing help to prevent the formation of tartar, reduces the inflammation and shrinking of the gums and therefore prevent periodontal disease with dental loss and a probable sepsis. We know that dental infections can have deleterious effects on the body as a whole. For example, it is suggested that periodontal disease might be associated with bacterial endocarditis and perhaps contribute in some manner to the prevalence of mitral disease in older dogs.
© 2020 Dr. med. vet. Steffen Hoffmann