Puppy Care
Vaccinations
When should my pup have a vaccination? Often your puppy will have received their first vaccination between 6 and 8 weeks of age.This is only a temporary vaccination only but is a good start.
To provide ongoing protection a second vaccination at 12wks of age and a third one at 16wks will give the best immunity against the contagious viral diseases puppies can be exposed to.
It is important to keep your puppy confined at home after their second vaccination and to remember that they will not be fully covered until they have received their last needle.Some diseases,particularly Parvovirus can persist in the environment for a long time and your pup can become infected even without direct contact with another dog.
To provide ongoing protection a second vaccination at 12wks of age and a third one at 16wks will give the best immunity against the contagious viral diseases puppies can be exposed to.
It is important to keep your puppy confined at home after their second vaccination and to remember that they will not be fully covered until they have received their last needle.Some diseases,particularly Parvovirus can persist in the environment for a long time and your pup can become infected even without direct contact with another dog.
Worming
Puppies should be treated for intestinal worms every 2 weeks until they reach 12 weeks of age,then once each month until they are 6 months of age and then once every 3 months.
Worming every pet in your house regularly is the best form of preventing any transmission of worms to you or your family
Heartworm disease is another parasitic worm that can cause serious problems in dogs.It is a blood-borne parasite transmitted by mosquitoes.Fortunately it is easy to prevent and we have a range of preventative medications available including spot-ons,chewable tablets and even an injection.
Many of these are all-in-one products that cover intestinal worms, heartworm and fleas. Examples of these are Advocate, Revolution and Sentinel.
Worming every pet in your house regularly is the best form of preventing any transmission of worms to you or your family
Heartworm disease is another parasitic worm that can cause serious problems in dogs.It is a blood-borne parasite transmitted by mosquitoes.Fortunately it is easy to prevent and we have a range of preventative medications available including spot-ons,chewable tablets and even an injection.
Many of these are all-in-one products that cover intestinal worms, heartworm and fleas. Examples of these are Advocate, Revolution and Sentinel.
Flea Treatments
There are a variety of flea treatments on the market and are now very easy to apply. It is important to make sure the flea treatment you use is safe to use on puppies and is a product with a modern active ingredient as fleas have developed resistance to many of the older products.
Feeding
Feed a high quality premium puppy food (eg. Royal Canin, Eukanuba,Advance or Hills),particularly in the early months while your puppy is growing.
Many of the lesser quality foods don’t provide your puppy with the nutritional properties that are vital for your growing puppy’s development. We stock a wide range of foods and are more than happy to provide advice to help find a diet to suit your puppy.
Remember to provide fresh clean water at all times,being particularly vigilant in the warmer months.
Many of the lesser quality foods don’t provide your puppy with the nutritional properties that are vital for your growing puppy’s development. We stock a wide range of foods and are more than happy to provide advice to help find a diet to suit your puppy.
Remember to provide fresh clean water at all times,being particularly vigilant in the warmer months.
Steralisation
Speying (sterilising a female dog) and castration (sterilization of a male dog) can be done from around 5-6 months of age. It is a day procedure with your puppy being dropped off early morning and being picked up that same evening.
Not only does this operation prevent unwanted pregnancies but it also has a variety of health benefits for your puppy,including reduction and in some cases prevention of reproductive cancers and other serious diseases.
Not only does this operation prevent unwanted pregnancies but it also has a variety of health benefits for your puppy,including reduction and in some cases prevention of reproductive cancers and other serious diseases.
Pre-School Classes
Enrolling into puppy pre-school is a big step on the way to having a happy,socialised,well-adjusted dog.
Puppy pre-school not only provides your puppy with the chance to have fun with other pups in a safe,controlled environment,but it also allows for them to learn basic obedience and how to interact with other dogs and people in a well mannered way.
We run puppy classes with Emma. Please phone us on 9296 9981 for more information.
Puppy pre-school not only provides your puppy with the chance to have fun with other pups in a safe,controlled environment,but it also allows for them to learn basic obedience and how to interact with other dogs and people in a well mannered way.
We run puppy classes with Emma. Please phone us on 9296 9981 for more information.
Microchipping
A Microchip is a small chip about the size of a grain of rice that is implanted under your pet's skin,usually between the shoulder blades.
Many a wandering pup has been returned home with the aid of the microchip
Collars can come off and tags can wear out but microchips are a permanent form of identification and nearly all vets, pet shelters and your local council have scanners.
Many a wandering pup has been returned home with the aid of the microchip
Collars can come off and tags can wear out but microchips are a permanent form of identification and nearly all vets, pet shelters and your local council have scanners.
Insurance
We suggest you consider pet insurance for your new pup as accidents and illness do occur.Sometimes our four legged friends get themselves into mischief of a serious nature that can be quite involved and expensive to treat.
We do suggest though that you shop around and consider each insurer thoroughly.
We do suggest though that you shop around and consider each insurer thoroughly.