Pet Health - Dogs

Puppies typically require 3 visits about 1 month apart, to complete their vaccinations and deworming. We recommend scheduling your puppy in for his or her first exam as soon as possible. During your puppy’s first appointment, you will receive a complimentary puppy kit with a bag of Hills Healthy Advantage Puppy food, a socialization kit, house and crate training tools, as well as information on preventative healthcare.

Until your puppy has received a series of vaccines, he or she is susceptible to many serious but preventable diseases. We will vaccinate him or her against Rabies, Distemper, and Parvovirus, among other diseases.

We will also request a fecal sample to be tested and treated for parasites, which are common in young dogs. Most puppies have roundworms, which are intestinal worms that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal signs (although dogs can have worms without showing any symptoms). It is important for puppies to be treated for roundworms, not only to rid them of the infection but also to prevent you and the rest of your family from becoming infected. Roundworms are a zoonotic parasite, which means they can be transmitted from pets to people. By ensuring that your puppy is treated, you can keep your entire family safe from these and other parasites.

We recommend spaying or neutering your pet at six months of age. Spaying your female dog helps prevent uterine infections and decreases the risk of cancer, especially doing it before their first heat. Neutering your male dog prevents testicular cancer as well as other prostate problems. It also reduces undesirable behaviors caused by high levels of testosterone.