Labradoodle Puppy Vaccines and Vet Visits in Houston

Bringing home a puppy is exciting, but the first few months of vet care matter just as much as the cuddles. Here's what I tell every family who adopts from us in Cypress. Your own vet will always set the exact schedule, so treat this as a friendly guide.

What your puppy has before coming home

Every puppy leaves us with age-appropriate vaccinations and a veterinary health exam. You'll get the records, so bring them to your first vet visit. Your puppy goes home at 8 weeks, which usually means they've started their vaccine series but haven't finished it.

The core puppy vaccine series

Most vets follow a series of shots given every few weeks until a puppy is around 16 weeks old. These typically include:

• DHPP: protects against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and parainfluenza.
• Rabies: required by law in Texas, usually given around 12 to 16 weeks.
• Leptospirosis and Bordetella: often recommended in the Houston area, depending on your dog's lifestyle.

Ask your vet which vaccines make sense for your puppy. Houston's warm, wet climate means leptospirosis is a common conversation.

Why parvo deserves extra attention

Parvovirus is serious, and it spreads easily through soil, grass and surfaces. Until your puppy has finished the series, your vet will likely recommend avoiding dog parks, pet store floors and places where unknown dogs have been.

That doesn't mean you can't socialize your puppy. See my guide on safe socialization in Houston for ideas.

Your first vet appointment

Schedule a visit within the first few days after you bring your puppy home. Bring:

• The health and vaccine records from us
• A stool sample if your vet asks for one
• A list of questions about food, parasites and training
• A towel or blanket from home, since the littermate-scent blanket we send helps calm nervous puppies

Preventives to start early

In Texas, fleas, ticks and mosquitoes are year-round concerns. Your vet will recommend a flea and tick preventive and a heartworm preventive that's safe for your puppy's age and weight. Heartworm disease is spread by mosquitoes, and Houston has plenty of them.

Microchipping, spay and neuter

Ask your vet about microchipping and about the best timing for spaying or neutering. Our puppies are sold as pets only, so we recommend discussing timing with your vet based on your puppy's size and growth.

Signs to call the vet right away

• Vomiting or diarrhea that lasts more than a day
• Refusing food or water
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Coughing, sneezing or discharge from the eyes or nose

Puppies can go downhill fast, so when in doubt, call.

Our health guarantee

We health test every parent with a full genetic panel, and every puppy comes with a multi-generational health guarantee. You can read more in our FAQ and in the puppy contract. If you ever have questions after you bring your puppy home, call or text me at 281-923-9266. I'm always happy to help.