Preventative Health Checklist for Dogs

Be pro-active to prevent illness and injury and keep your dog healthy and happy. Use the list below as a guide for care at each stage of your dog’s life. Also, talk with your vet about what is best for you and your pet.

Puppy veterinary care

• Initial exam within 48 hours of adoption.

• Four to five combination vaccinations at three-week intervals, starting at the age of 6 to 8 weeks. Rabies vaccination at 16 weeks.

• Wormings as prescribed by your veterinarian, at two- to three-week intervals or until the fecal test comes up clear.

• Heartworm preventive. No heartworm test required if puppy’s mother was on preventive and puppy is started by the age of 12 weeks.

• Follow-up exam at time of final vaccinations to spot congenital problems, retained baby teeth, and so on.

• Spaying or neutering, as early as 8 weeks, as recommended by your veterinarian.

Adult veterinary care

• Annual examination, which may include periodic chemistry prolife and urinalysis, especially for older pets and prior to procedures requiring anesthesia.

• Combination vaccination, annually. Rabies vaccination, once every three years or as required by law.

• Heartworm testing.

• Dental cleaning and scaling under anesthesia, annually or as recommended by your veterinarian.

Adult home care

• Heartworm preventive, daily or monthly

• Nail trim, weekly

• Regular bathing and grooming

• Home exam, including checking for lumps and bumps, weekly

• Tooth-brushing, two to three times a week

• Regular flea-control program