New Doodle Owner - Have a few question

[Rick Smith]

Hey guys, I have a few questions about our GoldenDoodle regarding it's health care.

I've read up online about all of this and was surprised at the wide number of answers I found. I'm hoping there is a more general consensus.

Jake was born on 9/1/2012

When I received him from the breeder it said he was "wormed" at 3, 5, and 7 weeks.

He also received 2 Vaccinations. One at 7 weeks ol (10/21/12) and one on 11/9/12 (I just found out I was supposed to get his last vaccination 3 weeks after we got him. So I need to get that asap.) 

The vaccinations that he was given was Distemper, adenoviruis type 2, parainfluenza, and parvo (the sticker they put on his records is brown and says "Nobivac 1-DAPPv."

My question is what else do I need to give him? 

There is a LuvMyPet Clinic in my area today so I thought I'd jump on it since it seemed like a great price, and no office visit! 

I know I need to give him one more round of shots, and some of said to give him the rabies now, others say later.

Also do you think I need to do a fecal and heart worm exam? I believe the breeder already did that before I got him. 

Just trying to wrap my head around what all he needs next. Thanks so much! 

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

No it is not at all "impossible" for me to say I am "for" or "against" Banfield as a whole as regardless of Vets, and the turn over of employees and Vets is very quick, but because their "policies and practices" are the same everywhere.
You can "assume" you can ask for the same vet, and hope they are on that day, or still employed there. And maybe you will get the same tech that knows how anxious your little doodle is because his last two experiences there were so traumatic by being brought "in the back" (which is their policy) so they could examine him it took 4 people to hold him down, and you can "assume" one of the four people will be there and remember him and be compassionate with this scared doodle and not force anything else on him.
You can also "assume" that you will be leaving him there for 4-5 hours in a cage, for his annual check-up, (again per policy) and that they will try to sell you every imaginable product they have in stock, even recommending their own brand of flea control and heartworm meds. So forgive me if I sound bitter and opinionated about Banfield as a whole. It has taken me and our vet 2 yrs to undo the fear and anxiety our Murphy had for going to the Vet due to his experiences with Banfield.
Our location had good reviews from others too, but who knows who those reviews were from, and who the Vets or techs were at the time?
I do hope it works for you and you have good experiences with Banfield, but I for one wouldn't grace their doors again with any animal I care about. As long as your doodle is getting the shots and check ups it needs then you are doing your part in being a good pet owner.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Wow, good to know Sue, not that I have considered Banfield.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I can't help wondering, if you have two other dogs, why not just ask the vet you are using for those dogs what shots your Goldendoodle needs and when?

[Rick Smith]

We recently moved to a new area and haven't found a vet we like on this area yet. And our other dogs regular vet isn't near is.

[Rick Smith]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I went ahead and went with Banfield (as opposed to the shot clinic.). The local one where by me actually gets good reviews so I feel ok with taking Jake there.

[Becka]

I have always been very happy with everyone at our vet clinic, which happens to be a Banfield. Every one of the vets is kind and patient, as well as the wonderful techs. They all love Sadie. They have never tried to push prescription food on us, and perhaps best of all, they are very conservative in their approach to testing and never seem to try to push too many tests at once.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

The bottom line~ I am glad we seek medical care for our animals. So many don't.  We all have different styles and preferreed ways.

I'll stick with the way I have chosen which is the very best way, I feel, for caring, for my dog. 

[Lynda Kamrath]

I think it depends on where you live and where your breeder lived.  My pup came with his rabies shot already given, but my state did not recognize the shot from the breeder's state.  All kinds of little regulations you have to consider.  I am not a vet, but I would recommend 6 months for the rabies shot.  You need to have your dog (and his records) checked out by a vet you trust and like.  It's important to have a good relationship with a vet.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Since this discussion went off-topic, in several different ways, I want to go in another direction for a silly comment.

When I was around, 10  years old, my sister had a boyfriend named Rick Smith.   She named my cat, Ricky  :)  

He was a great big ol Orange Cat.  Loved him.  He was found as a stray. We fostered him until the Humane Society placed Ricky, along with his sister in the same home.  Nine months later, Ricky returned to us, hit by a car.  Odd, he found his way back. Sad, he was hurt.  He was vetted and became a wonderful house cat.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Aww..so glad to hear that Ricky the cat had a happy ending!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

My sister ditched the guy though  :)

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

How funny, I had a guy using the same name try to scam me yesterday by using Paypal phishing e-mails.