I just bought a 6 week old dachshund, the breeder just had the dog dewormed? How often does he need shots?

Question

Also, There are many flea meds in retail stores, when can I use these for the dog?

Answer 1

You'll really enjoy your little dachshund -- they're great pets!

Six weeks is very young, most authorities want the dog to stay with its mother and siblings at least until 8 weeks. However, you've got the pup now, and we can't go back in time.

The first thing you want to do is to make an appointment with your veterinarian for a "well puppy" check. The vet will probably ask you to bring in a fresh fecal sample to check for parasites. During the visit, the veterinarian will discuss the vaccination schedule with you.

By the way, dachshunds have a tendency to have adverse reactions to vaccinations more than many other breeds of dogs. So, be sure you make your veterinary appointment in the morning. This way, if the pup has a bad reaction, you can run back to the veterinarian that afternoon, rather than looking for emergency care in the middle of the night!

I'd also ask the vet about flea medications. The best ones aren't sold in stores, you have to get them from your veterinarian. Six weeks is pretty early to be using flea meds -- I'd rather use a flea comb or bathe the pup to get the fleas off at this young age.

Remember to ask the veterinarian how to lower the probability of back problems, which are very common on dachshunds. For example, you should always pick up the pup using both hands, one under the bottom and one under the chest. Never pick him up by holding him by the front legs or by his chest with his hind end dangling! And, make sure that the pup doesn't jump on and off furniture, or jump out of your lap when you're sitting. Also, keep the pup at a slim weight -- dachshunds love to eat and fat dachshunds have a greater chance of back injuries.

Be very patient about house-training for a pup this young. Bladder and bowel control take time to develop, and dachshunds aren't easy to housebreak, in general.

Enjoy your little wiener -- they have lots of personality in a small tubular package!

Answer 2

Please don't use any of the flea treatments available in stores for animals. They really do not work, and some cause quite bad reactions. Pet stores are not licensed to sell the chemicals that actually work and are safe, so they sell random pesticides like permethrin that really aren't suitable for application to animals, but they get away with it anyway.

Get your flea and worm treatments from a vet so you can be sure you're getting safe, effective stuff. All the spot-ons available from vets, like Frontline, Revolution etc are recommended for use from 8 weeks of age - since your dog is 6 weeks old he will need the spray version of Frontline, which can be used on pups from 2 days of age.

Puppies need more frequent deworming that adult dogs. A good regime is every 2 weeks until 8 weeks old then monthly until 6 months old and three monthly thereafter, as for an adult dog. Puppies frequently have worms so worm regularly.

Chalice

Answer 3

In most states, yes it is illegal to buy or sell a puppy under 8 weeks. In addition, a reputable breeder that is not concerned with money, but concerned about "bettering the breed" would never sell a puppy before 8 weeks, small/toy breeds 10 to 12 weeks. If this breeder is willing to risk the health of the this puppy, your friend should reconsider and find a reputable breeder. The puppy will have health problems and your friend will get stuck with the vet bills! Not to mention it is heartbreaking when your dog goes through a lot of medical treatment. I rescued a Chihuahua that was taken away from his mother early and abused on top of it. It has cost me thousands of dollars in vet bill, however I knew that he would have health problems when I rescued him. I also underestimated the extent of treatment and the gut wrenching pain I feel every time he is sick. I go to great lengths to ensure my animals are given the best care possible. But I love my Chi and the rest of my dogs very much and would not give them up for the world. Good Luck! It is wonderful that you are concerned for this little guy and you should because once she can no longer afford to pay the vet bills, he will either die or she will dump him in a shelter to be euthanized. While the breeder parties hardy with her hard earned cash! *;* Tell your neighbor to go to a shelter they have tons of Chihuahua puppies waiting to be euthanized. Then she would be saving a life!

Answer 4

6 weeks is too young. His breeder should have made sure he had his first shot and was flea free before sending him home at 8 weeks. Please take him for a well puppy evaluation and shots. All over the counter flea meds aren't labeled for a puppy so young and may hurt him. He should have shots and be dewormed every 3 weeks from 6 weeks of age to 15 weeks. Good luck with your new baby.

Answer 5

yes, the breeder should have waited until your pup was at least 8 weeks, sometimes longer with the little breeds. at any rate, take your pup to the vet and he will probably give what is called a "puppy pack" and a chart to keep records of his shots. they will usually fill this in for you. your pup will need a series of shots over the next several months including parvo shots, distemper, etc. at six months i think is the rabies shots. can't remember the names of the others. at six weeks, they can get a flea treatment from your vet. my vet uses Revolution. ask your vet. i generally don't use the flea meds from retail stores, stick with the ones you get from the vet. good luck with your pup.

Answer 6

You need to have it seen by a vet NOW!! The breeder is questionable letting the puppy go so early and they should have given you that kind of info when you received the dog. What proof do you have that the pup was wormed!!!!!!!

Answer 7

Get the pup to the vet for it's first exam to start the series of vaccinations. The vet will recommend a flea program and deworming if needed. Don't put anything on the pup until you take it to the vet. Also be sure to carry the pup into the vet's office and not to expose it to the floor or other dogs while there. Parvo virus exposure will kill it.

Answer 8

well your puppy should get his shot when he at 12 weeks old so he can get the rabies shot and the other shots he need and when older you should go the get shot once in four month and for the flea meds you can use it NOW and when you give a shower just be careful

Answer 9

Your puppy is far too young to be away from its mother. He should be at least 8 weeks old before being adopted.

He will need to have an annual exam from your vet and some of his shots will be given annually and others will be given every 3 years.

Do NOT use over-the-counter flea medications on a puppy this young. As I said, he is far too young to be away from his mother.

Ask your vet which medications to use.

Answer 10

If you are in the US be advised it is against the law in most states to buy, sell, adopt or give away a puppy under 8 weeks of age..so odds are the breeder is in violation for selling the puppy at 6 weeks and you are in violation for buying it under 8 weeks of age.
NEVER use ANY OTC flea product or dewormer on ANY puppy/dog...they are ineffective and they are VERY DANGEROUS!!! They can cause skin burns, neurological problems, sizures and death.

A puppy should NOT receive any vaccinations under 8 weeks per recommendations from the AAHA/AVMA and all 27 vet schools.
A puppy get his first vaccinations at 8 weeks, second at 12 weeks & third & final at 16 weeks and a rabies vaccination at 20 weeks.
The vaccinations are distemper/parvo... NO coronavirus for ANY dog/puppy also per AAHA/AVMA and all 27 vet schools.
May not need lepto, bordatella (kennel cough) or parainfluenza...these are only needed if your puppy is at high risk of exposure