Welcome to Two Rivers Veterinary Hospital: Puppies

Written By Dr. Abby Sullivan

Congratulations on your new puppy!

Please peruse this quick-reference guide, created for pet owners who have recently added a puppy to their family. All recommendations below reflect our clinic’s standards of care.

Rabies Vaccination Policy (Required)

All dogs and cats (including indoor-only cats) are required by city ordinance to maintain a current rabies vaccination. Fargo, West Fargo, and Moorhead actively enforce this requirement.

Why this matters:

  • Rabies is fatal and transmissible to humans.

  • Unvaccinated pets exposed to wildlife may require 6-month quarantine or euthanasia.

  • Unvaccinated pets that bite a human require a 10-day quarantine.

Clinic policy: An up-to-date rabies vaccination is required to receive veterinary services at Two Rivers Veterinary Hospital, except in rare, documented medical exemptions.

Puppy Vaccination Schedule (What to Expect in the First Year)

First Puppy Visit (8–10 weeks)

  • Exam

  • Distemper / Parvovirus / Leptospirosis (initial vaccination)

  • Bordetella (kennel cough)

  • Deworming + intestinal parasite screen

  • First dose of monthly parasite prevention (Simparica Trio)

Second Puppy Visit (11–12 weeks)

  • Exam

  • Distemper / Parvovirus / Leptospirosis (booster vaccination)

  • Lyme vaccine (highly recommended based on disease prevalence in our area)

  • Monthly parasite prevention

Third Puppy Visit (16 weeks / ~4 months)

  • Exam

  • Intestinal parasite screen

  • Distemper / Parvovirus (annual)

  • Leptospirosis (annual)

  • Lyme booster (annual)

  • Rabies vaccine (annual)

  • Eligible for city licensing

Adult Dog Vaccination Protocol

  • Rabies: every 1-3 years

  • Distemper/Parvo: every 1-3 years

  • Leptospirosis: annually

  • Bordetella: annually (or every 6 months for high-exposure dogs)

  • Lyme: annually

Parasite & Heartworm Prevention

We recommend year-round monthly prevention using Simparica Trio, which protects against:

  • Heartworm disease

  • Fleas and ticks

  • Roundworms and hookworms

Annual parasite screening checks for:

  • Intestinal parasites

  • Heartworm disease, Lyme disease, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma

Prevention is far safer and more affordable than treatment.

Dental Care

Dental disease affects 70–85% of dogs by age three and negatively impacts the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys.

Gold standard home care:

  • Daily tooth brushing using dog-safe enzymatic toothpaste (e.g., C.E.T.)

Tips for success:

  • Start early (even before adult teeth erupt)

  • Go slowly and keep it positive

  • Daily or every-other-day brushing is ideal

It is never too late to start a dental routine.

Grooming & Nail Care

Regular grooming helps reduce stress and improves long-term handling tolerance.

  • Brush frequently

  • Handle paws daily

  • Check ears regularly

Helpful nail-trimming resources:

Poison Prevention

If you believe your pet has ingested something toxic:

  • Two Rivers Veterinary Hospital: 701-356-5588

  • Red River Animal Emergency Hospital (after hours): 701-478-9299

  • Pet Poison Helpline: https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com | 855-764-7661

Trusted resources for common household toxins:

Pet Insurance Resources

Pet insurance helps manage rising veterinary costs and is most valuable when started young.

We recommend policies that cover:

  1. Chronic conditions

  2. Ongoing care for chronic disease

  3. Congenital and hereditary conditions

  4. Breed-specific conditions

  5. Cancer

Helpful comparison tools:

Feeding & Nutrition

  • Feed a premium puppy-specific diet (Royal Canin or Hill’s Science Diet)

  • Large breed puppies (>50 lb adult weight) should eat large-breed puppy food

  • Feed 2–3 meals daily; transition to 2 meals by 4–5 months

  • Avoid table scraps

  • Reduce intake by 25–30% after spay/neuter. Dogs that have a healthy weight live an average of two years longer compared to obese dogs. Prevention is key!

Training & Socialization

  • Critical socialization window: 4–16 weeks

  • Puppy classes are strongly encouraged

  • Focus on positive reinforcement

  • Teach crate comfort, leash manners, and basic commands early

Prevent fear and aggression through gentle desensitization and consistent rules.

City Ordinances & Licensing

Dogs and cats must be licensed annually with proof of rabies vaccination.

Licensing offices:

  • Fargo Animal Pound: 701-232-7312

  • Moorhead Police Department: 218-299-5121

  • West Fargo Police Department: 701-433-5500

Leashes are required off-property. Please remember to clean up after your pet.

Our goal at Two Rivers Veterinary Hospital is to partner with you to create lifelong wellness and prevent illness whenever possible.

Dr. Abby Sullivan
Next

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