Supplies (Veterinarian Info at Bottom):
Email: grpupp@gmail.com
Primary Recommended Resources:
Local: Costco, Petco / PetSmart, Tractor Supply
Online: Revival Animal Health, Drs. Foster & Smith, Jeffers.com, Amazon
You do NOT need a Vet for the following -
What We Use for Heartworm; Fleas / Ticks; Worming; Vaccines:
- Valuheart and Iverheart for Heartworms (generic form / SAME thing as Heartgard, but 1/4 cost)
Comes from Australia, Canada, or the UK - search online for “generic heartworm” - there are usually different dosages for the weight of your pup / dog.
- Pet Armor Plus (same as Frontline Plus) for fleas and ticks - Walmart, Costco online, Amazon
(For pups you can usually start this at 8 weeks old minimum - check instructions)
- Safeguard (this is Panacur - used for primary worming, including Whipworm - 3 days; for Giardia - 5 days; then, repeated in 3 weeks and 3 months)
- Vaccines (We use Solo Jec 5 for 5-way vaccines with a modified live Parvovirus at 7 weeks; and, Neopar modified live Parvovirus-only shots at 5 weeks … You might need a "7-way vaccine" - check with your Vet; and, while you CAN do these yourself, it does require the proper technique for injecting subcutaneously (under the skin in their neck area) and you can watch YouTube videos, or search for information … a LOT less expensive. Tractor Supply has these, as well as most feed stores.
Kuranda Dog Bed (We use these for both our adults and pups from about 4 weeks of age)
See recommended options below. They ARE chewproof (they guarantee it!). Helps prevent joint issues also.
Link: https://kuranda.com/rfsn=1658183.c9b6b0&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=KurandaPartnerProgram&utm_source=refersion
Recommended Kuranda Bed options (what we use):
Size: Medium (35x23) ... fits in a Life Stages 24x36 crate, which is what all our adults use.
Material: Heavy duty 40 oz vinyl
Frame: Almond (only color good for outdoors) - PVC (they have Aluminum, but expensive)
Amazon:
MidWest LIFE STAGES Dog Crate (24" x 36" - good for pup and adult):
(The Kuranda Medium Bed ONLY fits in this one)
[exact same crate at Petsmart - $100-$120]
Portable Fence:
[exact same fences at Petsmart - $70-$90]
30" High (recommended for pup and through adult):
Dog Toys:
We do NOT recommend most of the stuffed animals and other toys from Petsmart / Petco. They are easily destroyed by the pups. Squeaker toys are "fun", but the pups will quickly chew them up to get to the squeaker. ONLY get quality tennis balls - cheap ones, including those sold as "specific dog toys" are BAD! They have lousy "skins" that the pups get off very easily and usually end up digesting. Wilson or Penn are great (pack of 3 at walmart is less than $2. Ropes (not with "things" on them), or "Kong type material" pull toys are great. We will gradually add a few toys to this section as well.)
Kong:
(Best size for pups is medium)
Tennis Ball Launcher: (don't buy Chuck-It's balls - use regular tennis balls)
Books and other "stuff":
(Several Adoptees have recommended this for the puppies 1st nights and beyond)
A Couple more books:
The best Koontz "Golden Retriever" novel:
(Yes, really ..... Koontz' first book with Golden Retrievers; and, he is a Golden Retriever lover - GREAT book )
Medicine:
Zymox Cleanser & Medicine for ears:
(Needed for dogs that are outside a lot, swim, or heavier eared Goldens)
Ear Cleanser
Ear Medicine (Regular-most used & Plus-higher concentration)
Regular
Treats:
Nyla Bones:
Real Bones (wrapped & certified):
Vitamins: (Small & Large Quantity)
Care:
Slip Leads (MUCH better than regular clip-on leashes)
3/8" x 4' or 1/2" x 6'
(THEE best brush for general care and it's "self cleaning")
Dog Ramps for your car (REALLY helps keep your dogs joints healthy - and your back, since you don't have to lift in and out!)
(ALWAYS put a life vest on your Golden when in/near water)
Feeding:
(Especially good for fastening to cage for water and/or food - bowl slips out)
(Another version, but one above is better)
(Automatic waterers, that work)
(In case you live where the water stays cold, or even ice's)
Revival Animal Health (https://www.revivalanimal.com/):
Our PRIMARY source for both products and veterinary information by Dr. Don Bramlage. We get most of our supplies from here including vaccines, wormer, etc.
Drs. Foster & Smith (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/dog-supplies/pr/c/3307):
Miscellaneous supplies including hooves, bones, some medicines.
Jeffers (http://www.jefferspet.com/dog/camid/PET/cc/100/c2c/ln/ ):
Toys, Bones, and just about every dog supply you could every want or imagine.
They require a minimum $60 order for free shipping; and, there shipping is usually about 10 days - 2 weeks
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Veterinarians:
The BEST recommendation is your local, private, one or two Veterinarian practice - the ones that are their for the animals, and not for themselves or for making a name. The ones NOT affiliated with any larger corporation, school, or similar.
"LAST RESORT" Veterinarians; and/or, CAUTION Recommended:
Unfortunately we've found that the farther away from us, the more expensive the veterinary services! The SF Bay area especially is rampant with this; but the good news is there are a few good vets that are smaller and just want to provide some good services at a reasonable cost. It seems that vets have created their own version of a "puppy mll" in the form of a "veterinary service mills" - for example, we're sure most of you have experienced the high cost heartgard, dog foods, and flea/tick medicines at the vet's office!
Most of the good vets end up coming up our way into the Sierra foothills! It does not hurt to shop around! We've also found that many vets are somewhat "anti-breeder" and seem to charge more, or jump to questionable findings sometimes. ALWAYS get a 2nd opinion if anything is found wrong or sounds questionable!
Loomis Basin Veterinary Clinic - 3901 Sierra College Boulevard, Loomis, CA 95650-7943 (916) 652-5816 . They have lots of "expertise" and generally provide the primary emergency pet medical care for the foothill area including Placer and Nevada County's. HOWEVER, beware - they are EXPENSIVE; charging for everything (including wipes they use!).
VCA Animal Hospitals or their affiliates - unfortunately these are rampant across the country. Basically a "chain" concerned mostly with the "bottom line". See "complaintsboard.com" and "ripoffreport.com" for their story.
U.C. Davis Vets and their affiliates - this is a tricky one. While the Vets at these offices are generally highly qualified; they are also unnecessarily highly priced; and, they have been known to "find things wrong" or make adverse assumptions about a pet's health because of their focus on dealing with the more extreme health problems. They tend to have school interns / apprentices that are zealous about finding that "exciting" case; and, tend to treat a pet as a potential "test" "victim". This is not to say that there may be a very good reason to take your pet there - just be wary.
PetSmart's in-house "Banfield" Veterinary services - STAY AWAY!!! - same reasoning as VCA above; but additionally lots of lawsuits for prescribing unnecessary drugs and services
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