Usually very young animals are not adopted until they are at least eight weeks old. However, since we know that normal does not apply sometimes, our time-table can apply to puppies who are as young as six weeks old.
Recommended Pet Care for Puppies
Note: 6-8 week is the usual time for 1st week of ownership for a new puppy, but we had to break down the pricing schedule because there are some things we can only do starting at 8 weeks of age. If your puppy is 8 weeks old and hasn’t gotten any of the 6 weeks of age care, it can still be given at the 8 weeks of age visit.
6 weeks of age
(1st week of ownership)
- 1st exam
- Distemper vaccine
- De-worming
- Microchip (optional)
- Learn how to trim your puppy’s nails
8 weeks
- Distemper booster
- Fecal analysis
- Flea prevention
- Mini-exam
10 weeks
- Distemper booster
- Lyme vaccine (optional)
- Office visit
12 weeks
- Rabies vaccine (required by state law)
- Distemper booster
- Bordetella vaccine (optional)
- Office visit
4-6 months
- Spay/Neuter surgery (before 1st heat cycle in females)
- Pre-anesthetic blood work (recommended, not required)
- Start on heartworm prevention
1 year and older
- Annual exam
- Annual Distemper vaccine
- Three-year Rabies vaccine
- Annual Heartworm test (spring)
- Annual Dog License Renewal
- Lyme vaccine (optional)
- Bordetella vaccine (optional and if boarding dog)
- Fecal analysis
- Nail trims as needed
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