The Basics of Puppy Care.
When you get a new puppy, there is a lot to learn. This is a basic check-list of things you need to do:
- Vaccinations – your puppy should be vaccinated at 6-8 weeks, 10-12 weeks and 14-16 weeks of age. The type of vaccine appropriate for your pet will be discussed with you by your vet, but should include Parvo, Distemper and Hepatitis as a minimum. If your dog will be seeing a lot of other dogs such as on walks, when groomed or going into kennels, Canine Cough vaccination may be recommended as well
- Intestinal Worms – your puppy should be wormed monthly until 6 months of age, then every 3 months for life. This is to protect your puppy form worms, but also people. Many dog worms can be passed to people, which can then cause severe illness
- Flea control – a good quality flea treatment is important to control fleas. Most are given monthly
- Heartworm – heartworm is not normally covered by intestinal wormers, as it lives in the main blood vessels between the heart and lungs and is spread by mosquito bites. Fortunately we are a low risk area for heartworm, but we recommend using prevetion against this potentially fatal disease. Prevention should start from 12 weeks of age
- Food – a good quality food is essential for a healthy animal. If you have a large breed dog, it is important to use food designed for large breeds to minimise the risk of growth problems. Make sure you keep an eye on your puppies weight. You should be able to feel the ribs quite easily but not see them if yur dog is an ideal weight.
- Insurance – we are able to do so much more for animals than ever before, but with that comes a much higher cost. Insurance is a way of protecting yourself against large vet bills, and may be the difference between giving your dog the best treatment and needing to euthanase your pet
- Exercise – moderate exercise is important. Don’t do too much too soon. Excessive exercise when young can lead to problems with hips and other joints, so easy does it until fully grown
- Training –training your dog right from the start will give you a well behaved, enjoyable dog. Your dog will also love the mental stimulation.
If you have any questions, give your vet a call. We are always happy to discuss your pets care with you.