When to Give New Puppies Wormer Shots?

Although many people don't realize it, deworming should start early in a puppy's life. Most puppies carry worms and their immune systems are still too immature and weak to fight the infestation. In the first weeks of life, a puppy should be dewormed bi-weekly. Once they are eight weeks old, the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists recommends that they be placed on a monthly deworming schedule.

  1. Dewormer Schedule

    • A puppy should be given their first dewormer shot at two weeks of age. After this, they should receive shots at four, six and eight weeks. After eight weeks, they should be placed on a monthly deworming schedule. Monthly deworming should continue for at least the first six months of life. Although some vets recommend that dogs be dewormed monthly for their entire lifespan, the majority recommend deworming adult dogs only when there is reason to suspect that they may be infested.

    Prepare for the Cost

    • Many owners do not adhere the recommend puppy deworming schedule due to the costs associated with veterinary care. However, deworming is absolutely essential to a puppy's health and prospective owners should take into account these veterinary costs before adopting. Each deworming shot can cost anywhere from $15 to $30. Call several veterinary clinics in your area for exact price estimates. If you are already a puppy owner but cannot afford to take your pet to vet's office, look into administering the treatments yourself. Some vets will make up a dewormer kit for you to take home, requiring you to pay only the cost of the dewormer plus a small fee.

    Infestation Symptoms

    • Puppy dewormer shots are meant to kill specific types of common parasites. In rare instances, your puppy may become infested by a parasite that is resistant to the dewormer. Symptoms of infestation include bad breath, diarrhea or weight loss. Take them to the vet if you notice any of these symptoms. If left untreated, an infestation can cause serious health problems in your pet. To prevent infestation, don't feed your puppy or dog raw meat, keep the yard free of feces, clean their crate or sleeping area frequently and monitor what they sniff and eat on walks.

    Dewormer Side Effects

    • Most dewormers have mild side effects that last only for a few hours. Do not be alarmed if your puppy salivates, throws up or has diarrhea after being dewormed. If these symptoms persist or worsen, call your vet. Although no severe adverse reactions to dewormer have ever been reported, seek immediate veterinary attention if your dog starts having seizures or slips into a coma after being dewormed.