Puppy health

Question
Hi there,
well I just got a Male Dacshund puppy for Valentines Day as a gift and today he is 1mth. and 2 weeks old and I have been feeding him 3 times a day. Is that normal? Is it true that once dogs recieve their required shots as puppys they don't need get there shots every year after that? And last question after they recieve their 6 weeks shots how old do they have to be on their next set of shots?

Answer
Your puppy is 10 weeks old. He needs his vaccinations every three weeks starting at 6 weeks until he is 16 weeks old. So he should have had one a week ago. He then needs two more sets. On the last set he will be old enough for a rabies shot.

He needs to be on Heartworm prevention now. You should have taken him in to the vets by now and gotten him started on that. That is given once a month for life all year long so he won't get heartworms and it keeps him free from worms.

He should be fed small amounts three times a day. He should be on a high quality food such as Science Diet Puppy growth. He should be fed a cup and a half divided into three feedings- not three cups of food a day. If you are feeding him any other (junk) brand he will have to eat too much to try and get the same nutrition which will lead to him getting fat.

Dogs need most of their vaccinations every year with the exception of the leptospirosis vaccine and the rabies which after his one year booster is given every three years, unless you live in a high rabies state such as Texas. So ask your vet when you take him in for his vaccination next week and get him his heartworm medication.

Happy Valentines Day!!