Para Hills Veterinary Clinic: Puppy Care

Vaccination

pups require a series of vaccinations to shield them against some typical infections which can be fatal. Dogs then need an annual booster vaccination to continue this protection.

                * 6-8 weeks – c3- Parvovirus, Distemper, Adenovirus

                * 12 weeks – c5 – Parvovirus, Distemper, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, and Bordetella Bronchiseptica

                * 16 weeks – c5 – Parvovirus, Distemper, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, and Bordetella Bronchiseptica

Worming

Intestinal worms can be transmitted from dogs to humans, especially children and can bring about serious health complications. Puppies can be born with intestinal worms or pick them up from their mother soon after birth and if left untreated, can be fatal. Please observe that not all worm preparations are effective against all types of worms.

Worm puppies:

 

                * Every 2 weeks until 12 weeks of age, then

                * Every month until 6 months of age, then

                * Every 3 months

Fleas

Fleas can cause skin disorder, anaemia and tapeworm infestation in your pup. Washes, powders and collars usually only kill the fleas that are on the animal at the time of application and before long a flea infestation builds up again from an infested environment. There are a range of excellent “spot-on” preparations that are very efficient, last for a whole month and kill fleas before they can even bite your puppy.

 

Heartworm

Heartworm is transmitted by mosquitoes, so your dog does not need to be in contact with other dogs to become infected. The worms reside inside the heart and can grow to 30cm in length, interfering with circulation and ultimately causing heart failure and demise. Usually there are no outward indicators of the disease until it is fairly advanced and although there are treatments obtainable the disease is typically still fatal as the damage to the heart is permanent. Pups should start heartworm prevention at 12 weeks of age. There are many different products available – either monthly tablets or “spot-ons”, most of which also protect against a range of other parasites, or the convenience of the once annually Proheart injection.

 

Proheart Injection

This injection is offered once a year in adult dogs, but has to be given a little more often in pups:

                * 1st dose 12 weeks (when due for final puppy vaccination)

                * 2nd dose 6 months (when desexing is recommended)

                * 3rd dose 15 months (when 1st annual vaccination is due)

                * Then every 12 months

 

Feeding

pups need extra calcium and phosphorous when they are growing, to develop healthy bones and muscles. A good quality “puppy” food will have these additional vitamins in the correct ratio and should make up at least 2/3 of your puppy’s diet. Pups need to eat puppy food right up until they are 6 – 18 months of age depending on their type. Large breed puppies should eat a puppy food specially formulated for their high growth rate. RAW bones should be fed from an early age, as chewing helps preserve healthy teeth and gums. NEVER FEED COOKED BONES. Chocolate, onion, garlic, grapes and fatty food should not be fed to dogs, as these may have fatal consequences.

 

Desexing

We advise that male and female dogs are desexed at 6 months of age. There are a number of important reasons for this:

                * Reduces the risk of an unwanted pregnancy and the number of    unwanted puppies

                * Makes dogs more receptive to training (especially male dogs) and can make dogs less territorial and less aggressive

                * Lowers the threat of mammary tumours in females

                * Eliminates the risk of uterine infections (pyometras) in female dogs which are fatal if not treated

                * Eliminates the threat of testicular cancer and lessens the risk of prostate problems in males.

 

Female pups will come into season from 5-12 months of age depending on their breed. Female dogs DO NOT need to have a season before being desexed. In fact the risk of developing malignant mammary tumours is only 0.5% in pups that are speyed before their first season. This jumps to 8% in puppies speyed after their first season then to a 26% risk after their second season.

 

Microchipping

This involves injecting a small microchip under the skin at the back of the neck. This microchip contains a number which is linked to your details in a data base, so that you can be reunited with your dog if they are ever lost. A good time to do this is at desexing when the dog is already under anaesthetic, but the microchip can be implanted anytime.

 

Puppy School

It is very important that dogs are socialised with other animals and people from an early age to prevent behavioural complications later in life. Puppy school is a fantastic way to start this, as well as learn about puppy care, basic training and puppy behaviour in an enjoyable small class environment.

 

Pet Insurance

Pet insurance gives excellent piece of mind that your dog will be able to get the treatment that is necessary if any unforseen health problems should arise. There are several different companies which offer pet insurance with a wide assortment of different policies available. It is important to select a policy that will best suit your circumstances.