Mohr
Your puppy comes to you having received his first vaccination. At your first visit with your veterinarian you need to talk about continuing those shots. Puppies need to go through a series of vaccinations before they are fully protected from diseases. We recommend a schedule where your puppy gets 3 vaccinations total that are administered 4 weeks apart with the last one at 16 weeks or older. We do not vaccinate for Coronavirus or Leptospirosis because many Whippet puppies have reactions to these vaccinations. Talk to your vet about any issues in your area with these diseases and the necessity to vaccinate for them vs the risk. When the puppy reaches 6 months of age it’s time for a rabies vaccination. You may find your local laws require this to be done sooner so check with your veterinarian on this. If your puppy will be going to the groomer, boarding facility, or dog events on a regular basis, talk to your vet about a Bordetella (kennel cough) and Dog Flu vaccination as well.
You should also talk to your vet about spaying and neutering. As stated in your purchase agreement spay/neuter should take place between 12-15 months. Puppy needs hormones to direct growth plate closure so we do not see future tendon issues/injuries due to bones growing too long. Spay/neuter should be done after the growth plates have closed. Whippets are an active breed and we want to take care that growth is done properly. Do not over exercise your puppy which can also cause injury. Let them play at their own pace and take short walks with them being careful not to tire them too much. Once the puppy is past a year old longer walks, hikes, and jogging are fine.
Your puppy has gone through our de-worming program. We use a combination of several different types of preventatives to cover various common canine parasites. Please be advised that this litter has been raised on reclaimed farmland and has traveled to shows and dog events, therefore, at the first sign of loose, mucoid stools and depressed appetite, coccidian parasite bloom should be suspected and a fecal should be immediately performed. A variety of protozoan parasites are endemic to the soils of our area. Dogs develop immunity to most of these (exception—Giardia) as they pass from the early puppy stages and their immune system strengthens and develops. We do suggest when puppy goes in for his vet check take a fresh small sample and have it rechecked.
Depending on the part of the country you live in your vet may also recommend a monthly flea and/or heartworm medication. We use and recommend Activyl. This is a topical application done monthly to prevent fleas that we have had great success with.
Your puppy will also have been microchipped and will have a lifetime enrollment with AKC Reunite.