Puppy Visits the Veterinarian:

Veterinarian Exam

  • Check for descended testes in boys
  • Check for umbilical hernias
  • Check for heart murmurs, making sure they have good strong pulses in their legs and heart
  • Check for clear lung sounds
  • Check inside ears
  • Check for intact neurological system with eye movement and tracking during movement
  • Checking pupils for light reactivity
  • Check teeth alignment of bites
  • Checking for lumps, bumps, and other worrisome masses
  • Feel for good strong movement of joints, knees, elbows

In the wellness exit review, all puppies are thoroughly examined by the Vet, they receive their first Distemper/Parvo vaccine booster, they are weighed, and have microchips placed under their skin prior to them leaving for their new homes. We also have a community fecal test performed during this visit to check for any abnormalities.

Who Are Our Vets?

Animal Ark Clemmons
3515 Lawrence Street
Clemmons, NC 27012
336-778-2738

Dr. Spindell during COVID
Dr. Spindell during COVID
Dr. Karyn Waterman
Dr. Karyn Waterman

Lawndale Veterinary Hospital
4314 Lawndale Drive
Greensboro, NC27455

336-288-3233

Animal Hospital of East Davie
5162 US HWY 158
Advance, North Carolina 27006
336-940-3442

Dr. Spindell during COVID
Dr. Emily Roberson
Dr. Spindell during COVID
Dr. Pete Gilyard

Clemmons Veterinary Clinic
​6373 Cephis Dr, Clemmons, NC 27012
​336-766-8511

Sometimes it takes a village to treat all of our dogs. COVID created scheduling challenges that required we use multiple vets for various services. The main point is that all puppies were seen, evaluated, vaccinated and received excellent timely services as needed. On puppy pickup day, all families will receive a Puppy Report Card listing deworming and vaccine information along with the puppy’s health evaluation.

Vaccines and Deworming:

Havanese are a toy breed dog and because of their size, are much more susceptible to medications and vaccines. FaustHouse operates on a “less is more” philosophy and only administers medications when its absolutely necessary. The below infographic provides help with discerning what your puppy MUST have to stay healthy and what medications and vaccines are optional.

Core vs. Non-Core Vaccines

Below is an example of a vaccine schedule. Remember, some of the recommended vaccines will vary depending on where you live and the pest/animals/insects that are in your region.  All puppies will need the core vaccines; Distemper/Parvo and Rabies, no matter where you live. Your Vet will be able to explain the best vaccine schedule for your local area depending on the many different risk factors that your pet will be exposed to. The main point is to find a vet that you trust and follow their recommendations.  They should all give the core vaccines and then advise you for the elective vaccines depending on what risks factors are in your surrounding area. AKC notes that many adult dog owners prefer to measure current immunity levels through a titer blood test rather than simple administer additional vaccines. Due to serious adverse reactions, we do not give our dogs the Lepto vaccine (an illness that is transmitted to dogs through them drinking infected standing water that has been urinated in by infected woodland creatures). We do not give a Lyme vaccine because we treat the yard with an insect killer. I have not had a tick or flea on my dogs in well over 23 years because of the semi-annual yard treatments (once in the spring and once in the fall). My dogs do go to the groomer, attend dog shows, and are around other unknown dogs, so I do vaccinate them for bordetella each year and possibly an annual influenza vaccine depending on the need.

Vaccine NameWhen GivenPurposeCore
Vaccine
Distemper/Parvo (DHPP)Given at 8, 12, 16, and 20 weeks; then at 1 year and 3 year boosters or titersTo protect puppy from getting distemper parvo illnessesYes
RabiesBetween 12-16 weeks; 1 year and 3 year boosters or titersRequired by law; prevents rabies transmissionYes
BordetellaGiven intranasally after core vaccines; yearly IM booster shotReduces transmission of kennel cough respiratory disease from other canines.No
LymeShot given annuallyProtects against tick-born Lyme diseaseNo
LeptoAnnual vaccine or titerProtects against Leptospirosis bacterial disease; known adverse reactions especially for toy dog breedsNo
Canine InfluenzaAnnual vaccine in 2 shots 2 weeks apartProtects against H3N2 and H3N8 influenzaNo

Fleas, Ticks & Heartworm:

Puppies will have been de-wormed prior to leaving our home.  We do a fecal exam prior to them leaving, however, it is a community screening, not on a specific puppy.   Puppies will need a fecal exam on their first vet visit in their new home. If worms are found, then they will need to be treated.  There are several samples of medications that are available for treating worms, fleas and ticks. Most of the medications are taken monthly. Some are every 3 months. Sentinel is a good medication for our area that kills multiple types of worms and is taken monthly.  Your vet can recommend what they find to be a good heartworm and monthly de-wormer medication that is specific for your area.  The medications are weight based and age restricted when first starting. NexGard is a flea and tick medication that works well in conjunction with Sentinel. It is also taken monthly. Advantix, Bravecto, Credelio, Heartgard are other medications that work in similar ways to prevent fleas, ticks, heartworms and other types of worms.

Simparica Trio, Bravecto, and Sentinel Spectrum are multi-chemical formulations. To minimize adverse reactions, we recommend single active ingredient preventative for puppies (Sentinel and NexGard). Simparica Trio and Bravecto contain isoxazoline class drugs and carry label warnings that this drug has been associated with neurologic adverse reactions including tremors, ataxia, and seizures.

(Click on above image for link to guide)