Stonewall Veterinary Clinic
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Canine Health Check
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Congratulations - you have a new puppy!
You've anticipated the new arrival by 'puppyproofing' your home and had lots of fun choosing
the carrier, bed, blanket, toys and other supplies he or she will need. This frisky little creature is sure to bring
you much joy. In return, you can make a major contribution to your pet's longevity, happiness and quality of life by
providing him or her with good nutrition, living attention in a safe, sanitary environment and regular checkups at your veterinarian.
Your new puppy should visit a veterinarian as soon as possible!
The first visit will
probably include:
- Thorough physical examination
to determine his or her state of health.
- Check for external parasites
(fleas, ticks, lice, ear mites).
- Check for internal parasites
(tapeworm, roundworm, etc.), if you can bring a stool sample for analysis. Blood tests may also be done.
- Initial vaccination and/or
a discussion of the types of vaccinations your puppy needs and when they should be scheduled.
- Discussion about whether
your puppy should be sterilized (spayed or neutered) and when.
This
first health check will give your veterinarian the information he needs to advise you on your puppy's immediate diet and care.
Plus, it will give him a "knowledge base" from which, on subsequent checkups throughout your pup's life, he can better evaluate,
monitor and manage your pet's health.
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Make your new puppy feel at home!
Show your puppy the special places where he can eat, sleep and eliminate
and, since he's probably quite overwhelmed, give him some quiet time to himself to let him adjust to the unfamiliar sights
and sounds of his new home. Be sure, if there are also young children in the home, that they are taught that a puppy
is not a toy, but a living creature who must be treated with gentleness and respect. As early as 8 weeks old, your puppy
is capable of learning specific lessons - so start house-breaking and teaching simple obedience commands the day you bring
him home. Your veterinarian can suggest the best training methods and, if you wish, recommend a good obedience
school. Your pup will find learning fun and easy, and with your positive reinforcement, he should remember his lessons
well!
If your dog is...
6 months
8 months
10 months
12 months
18 months
2
years
3 years
4 years
5 years
6
years
7 years
8 years
9 years
10
years
11 years
12 years
13 years
14
years
15 years
16 years
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In human terms, that's
10 years
13 years
14 years
15 years
20 years
23 years
26
years
32 years
36 years
40 years
44
years
48 years
52 years
56 years
60
years
64 years
68 years
72 years
76
years
80 years
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Spaying or
Neutering your puppy
Many veterinarians believe that spaying or neutering not only helps solve the serious problem of unwanted pet overpopulation
but also makes for friendlier, easier-to-live-with pets. Spayed female dogs are more relaxed, while neutered males are less
likely to roam, 'spray' or urine-mark their territory, or fight with other males. Plus, sterilization has health benefits
– it helps to minimize the risk for cancers of the reproductive organs and the mammary glands in females and reduces
the incidence of prostate problems in males.
Spaying removes the
uterus and ovaries of a female dog, usually after the age of six months. A major surgical procedure, it is performed under
general anesthesia and most often involves an overnight stay at an animal hospital. Complications are rare and recovery normally
is complete within two weeks.
Neutering, also
carried out under general anesthesia, removes the testicles of a male dog through an incision at the base of the scrotum.
Usually performed when the puppy is about six months old, it necessitates only a brief hospital stay. Full recovery takes
about seven to ten days.
Stonewall Veterinary Clinic
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