This past weekend, our Doberman puppy got his canine influenza vaccination. The vaccine comes in two booster shots, so we’ll need to return in 3-4 weeks.
Atlas turned 18 weeks old this weekend and we started looking into doggy daycare centers and puppy kindergarten. Soon enough, Atlas will be in socialization and obedience training. We looked for a daycare center that also offers overnight boarding in the event we decide to travel by air. While I researched this months before Atlas came home, we narrowed down two places close to us.
The two places I called have enrollment requirements. In addition to the puppy being at least 4 months old, they need to be vaccinated against:
- Rabies
- DHPP/Parvo
- Bordetella
- Canine influenza
Atlas has all the core vaccinations done, including rabies, except the optional canine influenza. The canine influenza comes in two doses and is administered 3 to 4 weeks from each other. Our next vet visit will be on April 4th for the final dose. The cost to administer canine influenza vaccination is $40 per shot. That is $80 total. Fortunately, our pet health insurance “co-pay” is only $8.00 due to meeting our deductible in merely two months.
A Week Update on Atlas’ Puppy Pyoderma Condition
As mentioned in a recent article, Atlas contracted superficial puppy pyoderma and was prescribed topical treatment. I applied the treatment on Atlas daily, per instruction. After an entire week, I saw improvement on Atlas’ skin where he had an outbreak.
Atlas’ left tarsus had significant amount of bumps just a week ago. Today, it looks all but healed. There is hair-loss due to Atlas nipping and licking on the area to alleviate the itch, but his skin felt smooth. His right tarsus had more bumps than the left, but as of today, it has significantly decreased.
Atlas’ left and right elbows (anconeal process), experienced an increase in outbreak while his rear joints healed. I will continue to monitor his condition and give him a bath with medicated shampoo twice a week instead of once.
Atlas is otherwise healthy. His stool has become healthy, solid, dark and consistent. Atlas received his final DHPP booster, rabies shot and was treated for puppy pyoderma last week. This week, our Doberman puppy got one of two canine influenza vaccination. That’s the joy of puppy hood.
A Word on Neutering and Gastropexy
While Atlas was in for his first canine influenza shot, I took the opportunity to ask the vet a few questions. I asked when is the optimal time to bring Atlas in for his neutering and gastropexy surgery. The vet recommended no earlier than 1 year. The reason is that the Doberman is a large dog breed and Atlas needs about a year to maximize his growth potential. If gastropexy is performed too early, the procedure can become undone as the dog continues to grow.
Since Atlas will be have both procedures done at the same time, it is best to schedule when he’s at least a year old in November. Prior to that, he will need to have his blood panel done to ensure that it is safe to perform the surgeries on him. I may even wait until Atlas turns 1½ to have these procedures done since he will continue to fill up during that time. When the time comes, I will post an article documenting these two procedures, including the process, costs and recovery time.
A Side Note on Atlas’ Ears
Atlas’ began to stand on their own at 14 weeks old. I continued posting them for four additional weeks.
At this moment in time, I have been posting Atlas’ ears for two month straight. I removed the ear posts when Atlas turned 18 weeks. They stood for 3 days straight with no sign of flopping over. Atlas is also currently teething and I expect it to continue for another two months, until Atlas turns 6 months old. He has lost all his upper and lower incisors as of this posting. The general consensus is that ear posts are to remain in place until the teething phase passes. It is unknown whether this claim is scientifically proven or just a swell idea regurgitated over and over as fact among Doberman online communities.
The generally accepted reason is that during teething, the Doberman’s body will use more calcium to form the adult teeth, leaving the growing cartilage in the ears out to dry.
I will continue to monitor Atlas’ ears closely. If I see any sign of his ears flopping over, I will re-post them immediately.