Caring for Your New Puppy

by Merck Animal Health

Congratulations, you have a new family member! The next years are going to be filled with tons of fun and unconditional love. There are also many things to consider as you start this adventure. Nutrition, behavior, and preventative care are so important in maximizing your pet’s life.

There is a lot to learn! Remember, the most important first step is to make an appointment

with your veterinarian. Your veterinary team will review your pet’s lifestyle and make recommendations for preventative care that is the very best for your new friend. Your veterinary team is your partner in helping your pet live a long and healthy life!

Learn here about the different infectious diseases of dogs and cats that can be prevented through vaccination! Below is a very brief review to help you better understand your pet’s care.

1. Make an appointment to see your veterinarian – ideally within the first 48-72 hours of bringing your pet home.

2. Take a fecal sample and all records

3. The veterinarian and staff will recommend all appropriate preventative care and testing that we will discuss below

4. A complete exam will be done to identify any health concerns such as congenital or infectious diseases

5. Testing recommendations

6. Puppies – fecal exam and depending on age possible a blood test to screen for tick and mosquito borne diseases

7. Vaccines

8. Canine Distemper

9. Caused by Canine Distemper Virus

10. Highly contagious

11. Occurs naturally in a wide range of animals (fox, coyotes, minks, racoons)

12. Transmitted via inhalation of the virus particles

13. Wide range of symptoms – respiratory and nervous system

14. Parvo

15. Caused by Canine Parvo Virus

16. Transmitted by direct contact with virus containing feces or indirectly with contact with fecal contaminated environment or equipment

17. Attacks the lining of the digestive tract

18. Causes severe illness that can result in death

19. Hepatitis

20. Caused by adeno virus

21. Transmitted by ingestion or inhalation of virus particles from urine, feces, respiratory secretions

22. Wide range of symptoms from mild fever to acute death

23. Parainfluenza

24. Caused by Parainfluenza virus

25. Transmitted by inhalation of the virus

26. Causes damage to the cells lining the upper respiratory tract

27. Lyme

28. Caused by the bacteria Borrelia Burgdorferi

29. Transmitted by a bite from the Black Legged Tick

30. Leptospirosis

31. Caused by a spirochete bacteria

32. Spread by contact with urine or water, soil or vegetation contaminated with urine from infected animals

33. Causes liver and kidney disease – can be fatal

34. Can be transmitted to humans

35. Bordetella

36. Caused by the Bordetella bacteria

37. Transmitted by inhalation of the virus

38. Attack the lining of the respiratory tract

39. Canine influenza

40. Caused by two strains of the Canine influenza virus

41. Transmitted by inhalation of aerosolized particles

42. Rabies

43. Caused by Rabies Virus

44. Transmitted by bite of an infected animal

45. Can be transmitted to humans

This post written and sponsored by Merck Animal Health