***As with anything that BDSC posts, please consult your veterinarian for any advice before vetting your dog. BDSC posts information to be used ONLY as a guideline to help our adopters. We are not vets, nor do we want to be... ***

Adopting a New Pooch?

If you are adopting a puppy, your puppy needs some extra set of vaccinations in order to keep her healthy and illness free.

Puppy vaccinations are so important because they could ultimately save the life of your new pup! Your pup needs her shots to protect her from getting sick. There are some common, but fatal, dog illnesses that your puppy can contract from simply walking into a local pet store! (if not fully vaccinated)

1. Canine Parvovirus (Parvo) Did you know that she has only a 20% chance of surviving if she is left untreated?.

2. Distemper. She has somewhere between a 30% and 50% chance of survival if treated.

So what does your puppy need and when?

Puppies receive some natural immunity from their mother's milk when they are nursing. However, once they are weaned, that immunity wears off between 5 and 8 weeks of age. After that, they are at risk for contracting these canine diseases. (and believe me, there is nothing more heart-wrenching than watching a little one suffer through one of these diseases!)

Puppy Vaccination Schedule

Your veterinarian will determine a schedule for your puppy. What follows is just a sample puppy vaccination schedule.

6-8 weeks, Comprehensive exam, fecal exam, Parvo/Distemper, deworming, heartworm preventative,

Heartworm preventative should be started at 6 weeks of age and administered every month. The cost of preventative varies according to the type of preventative used and the weight of the dog. Dosage will need to be adjusted as the weight of the puppy increases.

9-11 weeks, Physical exam, DHLPP, bordetella, deworming, heartworm preventative

12-14 weeks, Physical exam, DHLPP, deworming, heartorm preventative

12-16 weeks, Rabies vaccine

Annually, Physical exam, DHLPP, bordetella, deworming, heartworm test/monthly preventative, monthly flea treatement, fecal exam, Rabies vaccine.

*There are additional puppy/dog vaccines that your vet may recommend (giardia, lyme disease)

Please note: Some breeds of dogs are sensitive to the Parvo virus and require a 4th Parvo vaccine. These breeds include: Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, Pitbulls and American Bulldogs.

Also be aware that allergic reactions to vaccines may happen, and consult with your vet during your vet visit as to what to expect should this happen.