Parasites:

Fleas:
Fleas are very common external parasites. They are irritating, and can cause skin problems. They thrive in all seasons at moderate temperatures. They cannot survive in high elevations, so they're not a problem in mountain states or for mountain dwellers. Fleas are tiny brown insects that crawl on your puppy's skin, ingesting blood. If you disturb them they hop away. Concentrate on preventing fleas. Check your puppy often by stroking the hair the wrong way, especially in the groin area. If you find fleas -- even one -- treat your puppy immediately before it multiplies into a major problem! You can use flea shampoo, dip, powder, spray or a preventative treatment through your veterinarian. Your veterinarian can recommend the best treatment, especially for young puppies. Please refer to label to insure that your puppy is old enough to use the product. If your puppy has fleas, so does your house. Fleas spend the vast majority of their time off the puppy. They complete their breeding life cycle in your carpet, furniture, walls, floors, etc. You must treat both your puppy as well as the house in order to rid of the parasite. The best, most effective products for fleas are available through your veterinarian. Your veterinarian can also recommend a good flea and tick collar for your puppy.



Ticks:
Ticks are also common external parasites. They latch into the puppy's skin and ingest blood. As they do, they grow to the size of a small jellybean. Their body becomes a sack of blood with a tiny head. You can purchase special tick tweezers in our grooming department. In removing a tick, it is essential to remove the head, which is locked into the skin. Grasp the tick using tweezers right at the skin. You will have to pull hard to remove it -- their jaws are very strong. Once you have it out, be certain that you did get the head, and then kill it. Often they will take a piece of skin with them. If so, clean the spot on your puppy and watch it for a while for signs of infection. Since Lyme Disease has become a very common disease in many areas of the country, many veterinarians are recommending the Lyme Vaccine. Lyme Disease can be deadly so it is highly recommended that you speak with your veterinarian about this treatment.



Worms:
Worms are internal parasites that live in your puppy's digestive tract. The most common types are round, hook, whip, and tape worms. We recommend that you take a sample of your puppy's stool to your veterinarian on an annual basis. If they find worms, you will be given medication to kill them.



Shots:
Your puppy will need shots on a regular basis to protect him from common but serious canine diseases. Make sure to follow your veterinarian's schedule for keeping your puppy up-to-date on his shots.
Vaccinations are essential in preventing infectious diseases in puppies. Your veterinarian can help you decide on the most appropriate vaccination program for your puppy.

The most common diseases for which your puppy will need vaccines are Distemper, Infectious Canine Hepatitis, Parvovirus infections, Bordetellosis, Parainfluenza, Leptospirosis and Rabies. After 16 weeks of age most vaccinations are given annually, excluding the rabies vaccine. According to the guidelines of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the first rabies shot should take place at 12 weeks and the second shot at 64 weeks. After this it depends on local laws, usually falling between 1 - 3 years. The vaccination schedule may be modified depending on when your puppy was weaned from his mother.

One of the vaccines often given to puppies is a combination vaccine. This combination vaccine protects against four diseases including Canine Distemper virus, Canine Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, and Canine Parvovirus.