You need to be an advocate for your new puppy, understand what shots and de-worming do?

We use Vanguard Plus 5 - Given at 6 weeks of age, Below will tell you about the FIVE WAY SHOT.

By Pfizer. Modified live high titer parvovirus.

• VANGUARD^® PLUS 5 contains attenuated strains of canine distemper (CD) virus, canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2), canine parvovirus (CPV), and canine parainfluenza (CPI) virus propagated on an established canine cell line.
• The freeze-dried components are rehydrated with a sterile diluent.
• The PLUS in VANGUARD PLUS vaccines refers to the high-titer, low-passage canine parvovirus (CPV) component, which helps give it the immunogenic properties capable of overriding appreciable levels of CPV maternal antibodies Some puppies in the field may have higher levels of maternal antibodies than those evaluated in our pivotal efficacy study.
• All VANGUARD PLUS vaccines contain an attenuated strain of canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2), which helps protect against CAV-2 respiratory disease and against infectious canine hepatitis (ICH) caused by the closely related canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1). The CAV-2 component helps provide this dual protection without causing post-vaccination side effects (persistent kidney infections, uveitis and corneal opacity) sometimes associated with conventional CAV-1 vaccines.
• The CAV-2 component in VANGUARD Plus vaccines cross-immunizes against CAV-1 to help protect dogs against ICH without producing post-vaccination side effects, including persistent kidney infections, uveitis and corneal opacity (blue eye), sometimes attributed to CAV-1 vaccines.
• Customer-friendly packaging includes peel-off labels to make record-keeping faster and more accurate, a color-coded organizing system, and an easy-open safety band.
• Demonstrated long-term performance of the viral antigens based on retrospective serological studies.¹
• VANGUARD PLUS 5 is supported by our Immunization Support Guarantee (ISG).

Hepatitis-Adenovirus Type I
    Infectious Canine Hepatitis is caused by Type 1 adenovirus, which is fairly resistant to inactivation. The virus that attacks the tonsils, lymph nodes and then the liver. It is shed in all body secretions, but more commonly by urine. Transmission is by contact with contaminated objects. This virus does not cause human hepatitis. The most common symptoms are fever, depression, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea. In a small number of infected dogs, the virus can localize in the eye, causing a whiteness or cloudiness of the eye. Vaccines are available which can effectively prevent this disease. Most of the vaccines, however, contain adenovirus type 2, which still protects against type 1 infections, but eliminating possible side effects of cloudy eyes which can be seen, rarely, with adenovirus type 1 vaccines.

Parainfluenza-Adenovirus Type II
This virus causes a mild respiratory tract infection. It is transmitted through contact with oral and nasal secretions. Common symptoms include fever, nasal discharge, and a dry hacking cough. The disease by itself, is usually mild and brief, however, in some cases it can progress into a more serious pneumonia. Vaccines are available to effectively prevent this disease. Two types of canine adenovirus type 2 vaccines are available, an injectible form and also as a nasal spray, as part of a "kennel cough" vaccine.

Distemper
     Canine distemper is caused by a virus, which does not live long outside of the dog. It is primarily transmitted by contact with respiratory secretions from an infected dog, but it can be found in all body secretions. The disease is highly contagious and commonly causes death. The disease is most common in puppies from 3 - 6 months of age. The initial symptoms resemble a mild cold and may even go unnoticed. Several days later, infected dogs will have discharge from their eyes and nose, depression, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea. Puppies, who survive through the initial disease, will commonly develop seizures 1 - 3 weeks later. In most dogs the seizures will get progressively worse, until the puppy succumbs to the disease. Puppies who survive may have incomplete development of their teeth, thickened footpads and may develop seizures later in life. Distemper should be treated by a veterinarian. The best prevention is vaccination (see Duramune Max 5 and Galaxy DA2PPv).

Parvo
Parvo viruses are extremely resistant to inactivation and can persist in the environment for years. They are also resistant to most commonly used disinfectants. The virus is spread in the feces which contaminates the environment. It can be transported on the hair or feet of infected dogs as well as on the hands and shoes of people. Dogs become infected by ingesting the virus which then attacks the intestinal tract, white blood cells, and in very young dogs, heart muscle. Common symptoms include severe diarrhea (bloody), vomiting, listlessness, depression, loss of appetite, and high fever. Some infected pups get very sick, very quickly, with the only symptoms seen being severe depression, gasping for breath and sudden death. Left untreated, many pups will die within 48 to 72 hours after onset of symptoms. This disease is highly contagious and once established in a kennel it can be very difficult to eliminate. Treatment for Parvovirus includes correcting dehidration and electrolyte imbalances (see Rebound) along with hospitalization. Treating the environment with a 10% or greater chlorine bleach solution is effective but harsh. Other opations include SynPhenol 3, Oxine, or Roccal-D Plus. Vaccination is the best preventative. Vaccinate pups at 8-12-16 weeks and annually thereafter (see Progard, Duramune, Neopar)

Canine Parainfluenza

      Canine parainfluenza is a highly contagious respiratory disease that is frequently confused with kennel cough. The canine parainfluenza virus is transmitted through contact with the nasal secretions of dogs that are infected with the disease. Because the virus spreads fast among dogs housed in kennels or those that visit veterinary clinics, it is very important to choose reputable facilities. Don’t take your dog to a kennel that does not require proof of vaccinations. You’re asking for trouble!

WHY do I have to use SAFE-GUARD .....CANINE DE-WORMER FIVE days in a row?

Because of the life cycle of whipworms in dogs, Safe-Guard Canine De-wormer must be used three days in a row to effectively destroy this canine parasite. Also it will kill Guardia protozoa that comes from 90 % of the worlds water. Which is very common in puppies....

 is an excellent choice for ascarids and can be safely given to 2-week-old puppies. It is available as a liquid suspension

To remove parasites from the body, the biological differences between worm and mammal are exploited. In the case of members of the roundworm family (the "ascarid" worms), the parasitic worm is attached to the host’s intestine by its tiny teeth and/or suckers. Pyrantel acts as a neuromuscular blocker so that the parasite relaxes its grip, effectively paralyzing the worm so that it loses its attachment. The worm is then passed with the feces into the cold, cruel world. Outside of the host protective body, the worm soon dies. Because the medication is absorbed poorly from the host’s intestine, the host is completely unaffected by the paralysis effect. It also helps that the host is substantially larger than the parasite thus the small amounts of medication needed to remove parasites are not of concern to the mammal host.

HOW THIS MEDICATION IS USED

Pyrantel pamoate is effective against numerous parasitic worms:

• Roundworms of dogs
   
• Hookworms
   
• Stomach worms (Physaloptera species)

Pyrantel pamoate is also used in horses, cattle, sheep, pigs and many other species. When a new puppy or kitten is adopted and has been said to have been “de-wormed” the chances are it is this product that was used. Pyrantel pamoate is not effective against whipworms nor is it effective against tapeworms. Larval roundworms and hookworms migrate through the host's body before completing their development in the host's intestine. Only the worms in the intestine are vulnerable to pyrantel pamoate. In order to address the worms in the process of migration, the de-worming must be repeated after these worms have had the opportunity to reach the intestine. This means that there must be a second de-worming 2-4 weeks after the first de-worming and possibly even a third de-worming 2-4 weeks after that

Leptospirosis -   Is not recommended for Shih Tzu

Animal Health does NOT recommend vaccinating young puppies for lepto.
Leptospirosis is caused by a bacteria which is shed in the urine of infected animals. Transmission occurs through direct contact with the skin or oral mucous membranes. Leptospirosis infects many different species of animals including people. The disease can vary a lot in severity but common symptoms include high fever, depression, jaundice, bleeding, vomiting, and lower back pain. It can lead to serious kidney disease with decreased urine volume, collapse and death. There are several different serovars of Leptospirosis which can infect dogs some are spread by rodents, others by wildlife and livestock. Treatment consists of antibiotics, fluid replacement and controlling the vomiting (see Rebound). An untreated animal that recovers can become a carrier and shed the disease for up to a year. There are four strains of Leptospirosis. The available vaccines (Galaxy and Duramune) will protect against the more common strains.