Cross Timbers Animal Hospital New Puppy Guide - Prepared for Cross Timbers Animal Hospital Pet Owners
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Cross Timbers Animal Hospital
New Puppy Guide
Prepared for
Cross Timbers Animal Hospital Pet OwnersCross Timbers Animal Hospital
New Puppy Guide
Prepared for
Cross Timbers Animal Hospital Pet Owners
By Becky Hayden
Lead Technician
December 2012Contents Welcoming New Puppy Home……..……..………………………………………………………..1 Training and Socializing…………………….…..…………………………………………………2 Choosing a Diet……………………………....…………………………………………………….4 Establishing Proper Veterinary Care………...…………………………………………………….6 Vaccination Chart…………………………………………………………………………………..8 Canine Diseases and Parasites…………..….……………………………………………………...9 Harmful Household Items……………….………………………………………………………..11 Useful Names and Numbers……………….……………………………………………………..12 Works Cited…………………………….………………………………………………………...13 Index………………………………………………………………………………………............14
1
Welcoming New Puppy Home
Congratulations on your new addition! Inviting a new pet into your home may seem like an easy
decision but without proper education, it can quickly become a nightmare. Puppies require
almost constant attention and care until they become acclimated to their new home and family.
The first 3-4 months with your puppy stand as the most important for establishing a bond
between you and your pet. Cross Timbers recommends following these tips to ensure a happy
and healthy relationship between you and your new companion:
Establish a relationship with your veterinarian and staff
Decide how you want your puppy to behave and quickly begin a consistent training
method that works for you and your family
Choose a high quality diet for your puppy and create a set feeding schedule
Familiarize yourself with potential dangers to your puppy including diseases, parasites,
and poisonous items
Keep an easily accessible list of addresses and phone numbers for veterinarians,
emergency clinics, boarding facilities, training facilities, and groomers
Cross Timbers Animal Hospital designed this book to provide you with information on how to
build a loving and lasting relationship with your new pet while ensuring they live a long and
healthy life. To provide you with the essentials needed to be an educated pet owner remains our
number one priority. We always prefer to see our clients and patients healthy and happy!2
Training and Socializing
Before allowing your puppy to roam freely in your home, you should take a few precautions.
Puppies are incredibly active and curious. Therefore, without a few preventative measures they
could end up hurting themselves and/or destroying your house.
Pick up anything that your puppy can potentially chew or swallow.
Store all cleaning supplies, chemicals, fertilizers, poisons, and any other hazardous
material in a safe place.
Remove all poisonous houseplants within your puppy’s reach.
Investing in a good quality crate will help train your puppy to be comfortable at home alone. If
used properly, a crate will become a special home to your puppy. It will also give them a
confined spot to rest while you are away from home. Your puppy should stay in the crate
whenever left alone and at night.
You should introduce your puppy to a leash and collar as soon as possible. Anytime you travel
with your pet, put them on a leash to prevent any kind of accident. Place a tag with their name
and your information on their collar in case they ever become lost. Cross Timbers also
recommends micro chipping your pet at the time of their spay or neuter. A chip the size of a
grain of rice will permanently store a unique number specific to your pet. If someone finds your
pet, they can take him or her to a shelter or animal clinic to have them scanned.
When taking your puppy outside to use the bathroom, place him or her in the same spot every
time and do not play until they have completed their business. If puppy seems more interested in
playing than using the bathroom then take them back inside. Until your puppy has established
the yard as the only place to potty, you must not allow them to play. You should take your
puppy outside to potty every 2-3 hours to avoid accidents. Do not let him or her roam around the
house unsupervised.
Socializing your puppy with humans and dogs outside of your family will ensure a well-adjusted
and friendly pet. Ask your friends and neighbors to visit your puppy and utilize your training
techniques. Once your puppy has completed their entire round of vaccinations, you can begin
introducing them to other dogs. Many boarding facilities offer “doggie day care” for a small fee.
This allows your puppy time to play and socialize under the careful supervision of trained staff.
Public dog parks offer another option, but bring their own risks. Because of the public nature,
you cannot ensure that all other dogs are properly vaccinated and parasite free.
Once your puppy establishes relationships with his or her surroundings and each family member,
you should begin a training protocol. You must remain consistent when training your puppy to
follow commands. Any variance in technique will only result in confusion for your puppy. You
should research your puppy’s specific breed for tips on training. Some breeds, like Golden
Retrievers, respond to heavy praise and positive reinforcement. However, the German shepherd3 responds better to structure and stern commands. Each breed of canine comes with its own set of personality traits that you will learn to love and appreciate. Understanding these traits and recognizing what your dog responds best to will help guide your training. We recommend finding a trainer that can help teach you the basic commands and then formulate a detailed training plan specific to your puppy.
4
Choosing a Diet
Choosing an appropriate food for your puppy remains one of the most important decisions you
will make in its lifetime. Because of this, Cross Timbers recommends a high quality,
commercially produced dog food. Puppies require more nutrients to promote healthy
development of bones, muscles, and organs so choose a food specifically formulated for growth
of puppies. Depending on the breed, dogs should remain on puppy food until at least one year of
age. However, some large breeds continue to develop until age two. Learning how to read a pet
food label will help you decide which diet to choose.
Holistic, natural, and organic diets
The terms “holistic”, “premium”, “allergen-free”, and “super-premium” are NOT legally defined
for use on pet food labels. In other words, anyone can display these terms on the bag without
actually having to substantiate the claim. A “natural” pet food means that diet consists only of
natural ingredients without chemical alterations. This does not include vitamins, minerals, and
other trace nutrients. In order to label any food with organic ingredients, companies must follow
these guidelines:
“100% organic” means that diet contains all organic ingredients
“Organic” means it contains a minimum of 95% organic ingredients
“Made with organic ingredients” means it contains 70-94% organic ingredients
Organic ingredients only listed in the ingredients list means it contains less than 70%.
Ingredients List
The order of ingredients lists items in descending order based on their weight BEFORE being
processed. If the bag states it uses an ingredient without a modifier (chicken, beef, lamb) then it
must contain at least 95% of that ingredient. If the ingredient includes the words dinner, entrée,
or platter (chicken dinner) it must contain at least 25% of that ingredient. If it lists the ingredient
as “with” another ingredient (lamb with rice) then it only has to contain at least 3%. The term
“flavor” (lamb flavored) has no requirements. (Diet)
Association of American Food Control Officers (AAFCO) Nutritional Adequacy Statement
AAFCO requires every bag of food to display a Nutritional Adequacy Statement. These
statements will tell you if the company completed animal food trials before production and the
diet’s intended life stage. AAFCO only regulates three stages of life: growth, maintenance, and
gestation. If you find a food labeled for “all stages”, remember that growing dogs, adult dogs,
lactating females, and senior pets all possess different nutritional needs. Regulations allow
companies only two methods of validating their claims: formulation method or feeding trial
method. An example of the formulation method:
“Brand X dog food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by AAFCO
dog food profiles for maintenance of adult dogs.5
This means the company did not perform feeding trials before production and they confirmed the
required nutritional minimums and maximums with laboratory testing. Most pet food companies
choose the formulation method because they do not have to spend the money to perform feeding
trials. An example of the feeding trial method:
“Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that Brand X dog food
provides complete and balanced nutrition for maintenance of adult dogs”
Companies must perform a trial using the diet as the sole source of nutrition and document the
pet’s performance throughout. Many companies do not want to perform these lengthy and
expensive trials to establish the value of their food.
Guaranteed Analysis
AAFCO only requires the guaranteed analysis of four essential nutrients. Protein and fat must
meet a minimum requirement and fiber and moisture content must remain below the maximum
requirement. The manufacturer decides all other nutritional contents to list on the bag.
(Diet)6
Establishing Prosper Veterinary Care
Like most veterinary clinics, Cross Timbers Animal Hospital has its own recommended
vaccination schedule for dogs of all life stages. Developing immune systems render puppies
more susceptible to diseases and parasites.
When you first receive your puppy, they will have probably already had some vaccines.
Breeders commonly give the first set of vaccines around six weeks of age. Our veterinary staff
will create your puppy’s schedule based on previous history, breed, lifestyle, and any possible
health concerns. Once we establish your schedule, you must return every 3-4 weeks until
completed. Prosper vaccinations will protect your puppy from many life-threatening illnesses.
Our clinic’s schedule includes:
8 weeks of age: DHPP-C
12 weeks of age: DHLPP-C
Rabies
16 weeks of age: DHLPP-C
Bordetella
DHPP-C protects against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and coronavirus*.
Puppies should have a serious of three of these vaccines. The DHLPP-C received at 12 and 16
weeks contains the vaccine for leptosporosis, which only requires one booster after the initial
vaccine. Your pet will receive this vaccine yearly until over the age of three when it becomes an
every other year vaccine. However, the leptosporosis portion remains a yearly vaccine. The
state of Texas requires that all puppies receive a rabies vaccine no earlier than 12 weeks and a
booster one year after the initial vaccine. Each city has different protocols on how long the
subsequent rabies vaccine lasts. The bordetella vaccine protects against kennel cough and comes
in two forms: intranasal and injectable. The intranasal form protects instantly and lasts for six
months. The injectable form takes roughly ten days to take affect and lasts for six months. The
bordetella vaccine comes highly recommended for all dogs that come in frequent contact with
other dogs.
At your puppy’s first appointment, we will collect a fecal sample and check for intestinal
parasites. If positive, we will medicate appropriately and continue to recheck a sample monthly
until we have two negatives. They will also receive their first heartworm medication. Cross
Timbers offers many options on heartworm prevention. Because weight classifies these
medications, you may have to return each month for a single dose of heartworm prevention until
they reach their full weight. Keeping your pet on monthly heartworm prevention will help avoid
putting them through the dangerous and expensive treatment. When your puppy reaches
*For a further break down of these disease see page 97 adulthood, we recommend yearly visits to update vaccines and assess any health or behavior concerns you may have. We will perform a heartworm test and fecal test at this time. In an effort to ensure your dog’s complete health, Cross Timbers also recommends performing an annual blood panel. Monitoring the internal functions of your dog will help catch any underlying concerns before they become a problem. Use the chart on the next page to keep track of your dog’s medical history. If you ever decide to change veterinarians, make sure you ask for a full history to take with you.
8
Vaccination Chart
AGE:
DATE:
WEIGHT:
DISTEMPER
HEPATITIS
PARVOVIRUS
PARAINFLUENZA
LEPTOSPORISIS
CORONAVIRUS
RABIES
BORDETELLA
LYME DISEASE
FECAL (-/+)
HEARTWORM(-/+)9 Canine Diseases and Parasites Canine Distemper: a highly contagious viral disease spread through air, direct contact with an infected dog, their feces, or urine and attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems Symptoms: Coughing, sneezing, nose and eye discharge, fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures Canine Hepatitis: A viral disease spread through contact with an infected dog, their feces, urine, or saliva and attacks the liver, kidneys, and the cells lining the blood vessels Symptoms: fever, excessive thirst, diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, depression Leptosporosis: an extremely contagious bacterial disease spread through direct contact with an infected dog’s nasal discharge, urine, or saliva that attacks the liver and kidneys. Symptoms: fever, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, extreme lethargy, and early signs are unapparent, and this potentially fatal disease is transmissible to humans Parvovirus: a deadly viral infection spread through an infected dog’s blood, feces, or vomit that attacks the gastrointestinal system Symptoms: fever, vomiting, severe diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite, dehydration Parainfluenza: a highly infectious virus that spreads rapidly through nose to nose contact and attacks the respiratory system Symptoms: dry, hacking cough, loss of appetite, lethargy, nasal and eye discharge Rabies: an infection transmitted through the bite of an affected animal that attacks the central nervous system Symptoms: excitability, unprovoked aggression, excessive salivation, seizures, and paralysis Coronavirus: a highly contagious viral infection spread through an infected dog’s blood, feces, or vomit that attacks the gastrointestinal track Symptoms: fever, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, dehydration, loss of appetite Bordetella (Kennel Cough): a highly contagious bacterial infection spread through the air that attacks the respiratory system Symptoms: dry, hacking cough, sneezing, nasal, and eye discharge Roundworms: thin, noodle-like parasite transmitted through ingestion of roundworm eggs or through the mother during nursing Symptoms (if any): pot-bellied appearance, vomiting, or diarrhea Hookworms: intestinal parasite transmitted from mother during nursing or from contaminated environment Symptoms: lethargy, diarrhea, loss of appetite
10 Whipworms: intestinal parasite transmitted through contaminated environment and soil Symptoms: bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and weight loss Note: Whipworms can live in the soil for many years causing pets to become re-contaminated. Certain monthly heartworm medications protect against whipworms. Tapeworms: an intestinal parasite transmitted by ingestion of a flea Symptoms: None but rice-like segments can be found in the feces Coccidia: an intestinal organism transmitted through contaminated environment and soil Symptoms: fever, diarrhea, loss of appetite Heartworms: a parasite transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito Symptoms: coughing, lethargy, fatigue Note: Heartworms live in or near the dog’s heart, and if left untreated will cause potentially fatal damage to the heart and lungs. Heartworm disease dose not typically produce symptoms until it has advanced enough to begin heart failure. To test for heartworms, our clinic performs a simple blood test on a yearly basis for adult dogs. While treatable, the disease can cause irreversible damage to the heart and lungs. Heartworm treatment is costly and incredibly painful for the dog. You should administer a monthly heartworm preventative to your dog year-round. Fleas: an external parasite acquired through other dogs or the environment Note: Cross Timbers recommends using a veterinarian-prescribed monthly flea control to prevent infestation. Many dogs can suffer from severe flea allergies and a flea-ridden dog is always susceptible to tapeworms. Always consult with your veterinarian before using a store- bought flea control. (Diets)
11
Harmful Household Items
Because many household plants, products, and food items are toxic to dogs, always call your
veterinarian if you believe your dog has ingested something other than dog food or treats. As a
rule, you should never feed your dog anything other than his or her designated dog food. Dogs
metabolize things differently than humans so many human drugs can be toxic to dogs. Always
consult your veterinarian before giving any medications to your pets. (ASPCA)
Food Items Common Household Plants
Chocolate Aloe
Gum Amaryllis
Grapes and raisins Azalea
Onions Caladium
Garlic Daffodil
Avocados Daylily
Macadamia nuts Easter Lily
Coffee Elephant Ears
Alcohol Ferns
Gladiolas
Human Drugs Honeysuckle
Ibuprofen Hyacinth
Aspirin Hydrangea
Acetaminophen Iris
Cold and flu medications Ivy
Prescription drugs Lantana
Lilies
Sago Palm
Tulips
Yucca12
Useful Names and Numbers
Veterinarians and Specialists Address Phone Number
Cross Timbers Animal Hospital 1301 N. Custer Road 972-529-6999
McKinney, TX 75071
Notes:
Emergency Animal Clinic 10225 Custer Road 214-547-9900
McKinney, TX 75025
Notes:
Boarding Facilities
BARK! 2100 McKinney Ranch 972-542-8377
McKinney, TX 75070
Notes:
Rover Resort 4141 FM 1461 214-544-7387
McKinney, TX 75071
Notes:
Woodland Park 1943 Private Road 5312 972-562-9910
McKinney, TX 75071
Notes:
Training Facilities
What a Great Dog! 10550 John W. Elliot, St 200 972-347-3881
Frisco, TX
Notes:
PetSmart 1751 N Central Expy 972-547-6990
McKinney, TX 75070
Notes:
Grooming Facilities
Bubbles N Bones 1502 W. University Drive 972-562-1041
McKinney, TX 75071
Notes:
Dog Den 1515 S. McDonald Street 972-548-9272
McKinney, TX 75069
Notes:
Red Dog Paw Salon 2310 Virginia Parkway 972-540-0300
McKinney, Texas 75071
Notes:13
Works Cited
ASPCA. "101 Things You Didn't Know Could Harm Your Pet." Hazards in The Home. February
2011.
Diet, Hill's Science. "Pet Food Labels only tell Part of the Nutritional Story." 2012. Hill's Pet.
Article. December 2012.
Diets, Purina Veterinary. "A Lifetime of Welness." Keeping Your Dog Healthy 2012: 3.14
Index heartworm prevention 6, socializing 2
10 supplies, cleaning 2
A heartworm test 6, 7 10
AAFCO 4 hepatitis, canine 6 T
aggression 9 holistic 4 tag 2
appetite, loss of 9 hookworms 9 tapeworms 10
houseplants 2 toxic 11
B training 2, 3
blood panel 7 I
bordetella 6, 9 immune system 6 V
breeder 6 ingredients 4 vaccinations 2, 6, 7
vomiting 9
C
L W
chemicals 2
labels 4 whipworms 10
coccidia 10
leash 2
collar 2
leptosporosis 6, 9
coronavirus 6
lethargy 9
coughing 9
cough, kennel 6, 9 M
crate 2 microchip 2
D
N
day care 2
nutrients 4
dehydration 9, 10
depression 9
O
diarrhea 9, 10
organic 4
diet 4, 5
discharge, eye 9 P
discharge, nasal 9 parainfluenza 6, 10
disease 6 paralysis 9
distemper 6 parasites 2, 6, 9, 10
dog parks 2 parvovirus 6, 9
personality 3
F
protein 5
fecal 6, 7
feeding trial 4, 5 R
fertilizer 2 rabies 6, 9
fever 9 roundworms 9
fiber 5
fleas 10 S
seizures 9
H
heartworms 6, 7, 10You can also read
