Dogs 

Click here to download a Puppy Guide Leaflet

A GUIDE TO PUPPIES

VACCINATIONS                                                                                                                                 Puppies should be vaccinated at 6-8 weeks and again at 10 weeks. These vaccinations will protect your puppy from potentially fatal diseases – Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus and Leptospirosis. The vaccine provides your puppy with antibodies to help fight the diseases. Yearly boosters throughout the life of your dog will be required to keep the level of antibodies at a protective level.

WORMING                                                                                                                                        

Should be done every month using Advocate Spot on or Milpro until your puppy is 6 months old. Please ask us for further advice.

Worms (roundworm and tapeworm) can be picked up by your puppy when sniffing and walking where other dogs have been. The dog will then clean itself and ingest worm eggs and larvae which remain alive for months and sometimes years after they have been passed. Worms are not always obvious unless the animal has a heavy worm burden so remember – just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean that they’re not there!

FLEAS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Treat every 4 weeks with Advocate (or use a Seresto collar which will last for up to 7 months) and use an environmental spray as required. This will protect your puppy from adult fleas and your home against flea eggs and larvae. Remember, fleas are not only unpleasant for you and your puppy but can also cause potentially serious health problems, such as anaemia. Fleas also carry tapeworm.  A Seresto collar will also protect your puppy from ticks.

NEUTERING       

Females – 3 months after the end of their first season. Having your dog spayed will reduce the risk of mammary tumours and prevent womb infection.

Males – Between 6 and 24 months. Prevents testicular cancer, prostate cancer and other associated illnesses and also helps reduce undesirable behaviour.                                                                      

If you wish to discuss the procedure, please do not hesitate to contact us.

 

MICROCHIPPING                                                                                                                                           

 A small microchip, about the size of a grain of rice is implanted under the skin of the neck. In the event of the animal going missing, and being rescued, the animal can be scanned by the dog warden, at veterinary surgeries, RSPCA or other rescue centres and you will then be contacted.                                                   

For example – 1) Dog goes missing 2) Picked up by dog warden or handed in to vets or rescue centre   3) Scanned 4) Ring database 5) Call you to collect your dog.

FEEDING                                                                                                                                                 Always feed a good quality brand of complete puppy food, well balanced with the correct nutrition your puppy needs. We recommend Hills Vet Essentials, as it provides advanced and complete nutrition for puppies and other life stages.

INSURANCE                                                                                                                                                 

We recommend that you insure your puppy.  Check the terms and conditions of your policy carefully to ensure the policy is adequate for your needs.

PET HEALTH CLUB   

Pay monthly and spread the cost of your dog's routine preventative healthcare. Visit our Pet Health Club tab for more information.                                                                                                         

 

The first 16 weeks are a very important “formative period” in your puppy’s life. Try and devote as much time as possible in this period to developing the human-pet bond.                                                                                                   

Do this by handling (including feet, ears, grooming and teeth brushing), play, training, and socialisation.

 

IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT ANY ASPECT OF YOUR PET’S HEALTH, PLEASE TELEPHONE US AND WE WILL TALK YOU THROUGH IT.

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