Puppy Care
At St Ives Veterinary Hospital, we love being introduced to new furry members of your family! When you bring your puppy in to see us for the first time, you will receive a “puppy pack” with some free goodies and a booklet with everything you need to know about taking care of your puppy.
The contents of this booklet can be found below for easy access below or by clicking here.
Vaccinations
Regular vaccinations are essential to prevent your dog contracting several life-threatening diseases. A C3 vaccination will cover the three core diseases – Parvo, Distemper & Hepatitis. We also recommend vaccinating your dog against kennel cough (Parainfluenza & Bordetella) as although it is not fatal, it can develop into a chronic and debilitating condition. The kennel cough vaccine with the C3 vaccine is called a C5 vaccine.
We also offer vaccination against Leptospirosis, which is a potentially fatal disease that is spread by rats and their urine. This vaccination requires two initial vaccines 2-4 weeks apart, then an annual booster. Adding a Leptospirosis vaccine onto a C5 vaccine is called a C7.
Your puppy’s initial vaccine schedule should be:
- First vaccine: 6-8 weeks old
- Second vaccine: 10-12 weeks old
- Third vaccine: 14-16 weeks old
After the first three vaccinations, your dog will need a C3 vaccine either every year or every three years, and a Kennel Cough Vaccine and/or a Leptospirosis vaccine every year.
