A Basic Guide to Dog Care
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All puppies should be evaluated by a veterinarian for any congenital defects and for a series of vaccinations against common bacterial and viral infections such as canine distemper, parvo virus, and rabies.
- Your dog should be spayed of neutered anytime after 6 months of age.
- All dogs should have annual exams including vaccines or titers, heartworm testing, and stool examinations to check for intestinal parasites.
- All dogs should take a monthly heartworm preventative year round, and if at risk for fleas and ticks, use a monthly preventative topical medication from April to November.
- Once your dog is over the age of eight years, annual blood tests should be performed to catch such illnesses as diabetes and chronic renal disease at an early stage.
