Sequoyah German Shepherds
Take a look at the page below to see some orphans that need a loving home!
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Last
updated 6/1/08
There is a
great deal of information to take to in and remember when it comes
to your new canine family member. I will try to go over some
of the most important information here in this section of the
website. If, however, you have any questions, comments, or
suggestions on any of the topics, or if you would like me to cover
some other topic, feel free to
email
me.
Vaccinations:
The first thing to do when getting a new puppy is a get a complete
veterinary check up. Many breeders will tell you that they
have given the puppy his/her first set of vaccines. This is
fine but make sure that they got the vaccines from a veterinarian.
Many breeders order their vaccines online of get them from a co-op
or farm supply store. The problem with these vaccines is that
no one know how they have been handled. Even though the
manufacture is the same as the manufacture of your veterinary
vaccines, the distributor is not. Veterinary Hospitals receive
their product directly from the manufacture. Your pet
magazines, farm supply stores, and co-ops get their vaccines from a
distributor. Many times the vaccines are shipped out and sit
at loading docks getting hot, thereby inactivating the vaccine.
It will not hurt to vaccinate your puppy again if
their are any questions regarding his vaccine status. It is
much better to be safe, than sorry. I could not count how many
puppies I have treated for parvo that have been "vaccinated".
Most parvo treatments run about $150-$200 per day. Vaccines
are much cheaper! See the
vaccination page for more details on vaccination
recommendations.
Foods:
It is very important that you start your puppy off with the right
kind of food and continue throughout his/her life. Many people
are excited about their new puppy and will buy a good quality food
to begin with but as the puppy grows, they begin to get cheaper and
cheaper food. This is often due to the fact that the puppy is
eating more and more. Don't let this happen with you!
A good quality food will pay for itself in the long run in the
longevity of your puppy, decreased trips to the vet's office, and
decreased medications for problems such as arthritis, obesity, and
G. I. upsets. Visit our "FOODS??"
page for more information on how to choose the right food for
your pet.
Fleas and
Ticks: Fleas and ticks are a problem that is
best prevented rather than treated. It is good to go ahead and
get some flea and tick control products for your puppy as soon as
you get him. Don't wait until it has "become a problem" before
trying to manage it. Often times your local veterinary
hospital will supply the first month of heartworm and flea and tick
control preventative to you at no charge on your first visit.
If they don't, make sure that you ask for some! Remember to
use it every month to keep your new "friend" healthy, happy, and
parasite free. Your local veterinarian should help you pick
products that are right for you and your area. Feel free to
check out our FLEA AND TICK
page to provide you with a comparison of some of the most popular
products.
Your
veterinarian is your puppy's second best friend. So choosing a
veterinarian is very important. You wouldn't pick your child's
pediatrician based on who was the cheapest or decide where you would
go based on the fact that you never had to wait (because no one else
takes their child there). Don't make the same mistake with
your pet. Make sure that your veterinarian is available to
answer your questions and make sure that you feel that he/she has
your puppy's best interest at heart. Don't settle for less!
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