What Your 8-Week-Old Puppy Needs

Dogs

Your 8-week-old puppy has certain needs to stay healthy! The following is a list of recommended wellness care for an 8-week-old puppy including tips and advise on dewormers, heartworm prevention, flea and tick control, spay and neutering and nutrition.

Vaccines – 8-week-old puppies should at least have their first set of shots. The typical vaccine is a "combination" that protects against canine distemper virus, canine hepatitis, parainfluenza, and canine parvovirus (the four viruses are commonly abbreviated DHPP). Many veterinarians also recommend incorporating leptospirosis in the vaccination (DHLPP) and possibly coronavirus (DHLPPC). Additionally, Lyme disease vaccination may be recommended depending on your pet's level of risk.

Dewormers – Most puppies are born with worms and therefore should be dewormed by your veterinarian. Fecal examination is the microscopic examination of stools for parasites and may be done to confirm if there are worms or determine which worms are present.