First Things First
A good, routine physical exam is quite possibly the most important thing you can do for your puppy. A puppy should be examined as soon as possible after you bring it home, preferably within 48 hours, to be certain that no infectious or genetic diseases are present. Your veterinarian will ask you all sorts of questions about your puppys diet, appetite, thirst, attitude and whether you have noticed any health complaints or have any concerns. After that, he or she will conduct a thorough physical exam from head to tail. Starting with the head, your vet will make sure that the eyes are bright and clear, the ears are clean and free of excessive wax or ear mites and the teeth and gums are normal. The skin will be examined for any bacterial infections (these are common in puppies), fungal infections (such as ringworm), fleas, ticks or mange mites. The heart and lungs will be examined with a stethoscope. Your vet will listen carefully for heart murmurs that could signify the presence of a congenital (present from birth) heart defect. The abdomen will be palpated (firmly pressed with the fingers) for any abnormalities. Males will be checked to make sure that both testicles have descended. A fecal sample will be analyzed for internal parasites (worms). If your pup is declared healthy by your veterinarian, the pediatric vaccination series is ready to begin.

Your Best Shot
A wide variety of dangerous and potentially deadly infectious diseases can affect your puppy. Vaccinations are necessary to protect against them. One of the most important vaccinations is a combination vaccine (often called the 4 in 1 shot), which protects against distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza and parvovirus. Ideally, I believe all puppies, if healthy, should begin their pediatric vaccinations at 6 weeks of age. A follow-up vaccination should be given three weeks later, and every three weeks thereafter, until the age of 15 or 16 weeks. One year later, another vaccination (a booster) is usually given. Recent studies have shown that excellent immunity can be provided in the future if the 4 in 1 vaccinations are given every three years thereafter. The next most important vaccine is for rabies. All puppies 12 weeks and older should receive a rabies vaccination. A rabies booster is usually given one year later, and every three years thereafter. Vaccinations against other diseases, such as leptospirosis, kennel cough and Lyme disease may or may not be advisable, depending on your puppys lifestyle. Discuss which combinations of vaccines work best for your puppy with your veterinarian.

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