Puppy Prep 101 (Nat’l Puppy Day)

National Puppy Day is March 23rd—and in addition to encouraging puppy adoption from shelters and rescues, it’s also a day to create awareness about the best way to care for these pawsome friends who give us an unconditional lifetime of love.

At [HOSPITAL NAME], we have a plan for puppy care that will make sure your new bestie gets everything he or she needs!

It’s important to get your puppy in to see us as soon as possible after adoption. This is because puppies need vaccinations and parasite testing right away—their developing immune systems mean they can become seriously ill very quickly if exposed to disease. The first step is to make an appointment, then to save you time, fill out our new patient form [TEXT LINK TO ONLINE FORM] online.

When you arrive for your appointment, you can expect the animal-loving team at [HOSPITAL NAME OR ACRONYM] to make a fuss over your adorable new family member! Veterinary staff will then take care of some basics like weight and temperature-taking. Once the vet comes in, he or she will do a thorough visual and physical exam to ensure your pup is healthy.

Fecal testing, blood work, vaccinations are next. Puppies are commonly given a series of combo vaccinations against several diseases including parvo virus, an extremely contagious canine disease that can easily be fatal to puppies under four months of age.  

Rabies vaccinations are required by law and are commonly given at 12 – 24 weeks. Other shots such as those for leptospirosis and kennel cough (bordetella), can be given at this time as well, depending upon your dog’s lifestyle and your vet’s recommendation.  At this first visit, you can also expect your vet to talk to you about the importance of flea, tick and heartworm prevention.

We look forward to meeting your new best friend! Make an appointment online [TEXT LINK TO APPOINTMENT PAGE] or by calling us at [HOSPITAL TEL NUMBER].