Puppy Preventative Care

The number of DHPP ("Distemper") boosters needed and the age at which the puppy receives vaccines may vary depending on their age at their first visit and whether they have received any prior vaccines.

We recommend the Lyme vaccine for most dogs due to the high prevalence of Lyme disease in this area.

We also recommend the Leptospirosis vaccine for most dogs. Although it is not as prevalent as Lyme, outbreaks are not uncommon in our area and it is potentially life-threatening, as well as zoonotic (can be passed to humans). For more information about Leptospirosis, see these articles:

Should Your Dog Get The Leptospirosis Vaccine

Leptospirosis Information

Leptospirosis in Humans and Dogs

This is an example schedule:

Puppy Age 8 weeks	Vaccines, Tests and Preventatives Due DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvo, Parainfluenza) #1 Kennel Cough Start Heartworm and Flea/Tick preventative Fecal Prophylactic Deworming with broad-spectrum dewormer (Recommended even if fecal is neg., since false negatives are possible)
12 weeks	DHPP #2 Lyme #1 Leptospirosis #1 Next dose Heartworm and Flea/Tick preventative
16 weeks	DHPP #3 Lyme #2 Leptospirosis #2 Rabies Next dose Heartworm and Flea/Tick preventative
8 - 12 months	First Heartworm test


10 Green St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

Jamaica Plain Animal Clinic

Puppy Preventative Care