New Dog

Adding a new member to the family can be quite exciting. However, a new pet comes with a lot of responsibility. The first step to bringing your puppy or dog into your home is to understand how to care for them and offer them the best start in life. Giving your puppy the right start to life builds a foundation for a happy and healthy new member of your family. Some key steps in any new pet are;

As you may already know, vaccinations are an essential part of the process when getting a puppy. Sometimes you will receive a puppy that has already had certain vaccinations. This will vary according to where you got your puppy from. If you have been told that your puppy has received their vaccinations, it is important that you ask for a vaccination card distributed by a veterinarian for verification that vaccinations were administered. If they have not received any, it is the first step you should take when bringing a puppy home.

Vaccinating your puppy should be a priority and here is why:

The mother provides her puppies with antibodies through her milk. As the puppies get older and begin to wean, their immunity will not be as strong. The antibodies may have a neutralising effect if mixed with vaccinations. Thus, it is of high importance that your puppy not only receives vaccinations, but also that they are administered at the correct time. Contact our clinic and find out what is the perfect vaccination schedule to keep your puppy healthy.

There are a few diseases that are harmful and potentially lethal to your puppy if they are not protected through vaccination. These include parvovirus, hepatitis, canine cough and distemper.

Read more about vaccinations.

Pet insurance is definitely something you need to consider. Surgeries and 24-hour care tend to be quite expensive and sometimes becomes over a thousand dollars per day. No new pet owner enjoys carrying the burden of possible health costs and that’s why a reliable insurance is so essential. The rate you pay for insurance will depend on particulars, however if you have any questions or are in need of recommendations, you can contact our clinic.

Worms are extremely common in younger dogs. There is a possibility that they can eventually pose a threat to the well-being of your puppy. Worms can become quite large which can be fatal if not treated.

You can deworm your pet at the same time as vaccinations to keep them protected. It is also important that you maintain a clean environment for them to live in, which should be clear of any faeces that may be contaminated. If you need more information about worm treatment and avoiding infestation, you can contact us for advice.

These pests are not rare in the environment of pets. These can also become harmful if not maintained appropriately. To ensure you are giving proper care for your puppy, you should also find a suitable treatment for ticks and fleas. We can assist with treatments and methods of keeping your pet and their home tick and flea free.

Desexing is something you need to consider as your pet begins to mature, usually around 4-6 months of age. The purpose of this procedure is to stop your pet from being able to reproduce. There are multiple reasons as to why you should choose to desex your puppy;

• Prevent specific illnesses such as uterine infection, testicular cancer and prostate disease.
• Reduce the risk of females getting breast cancer.
• No unwanted puppies.
• Lessen aggression and wandering in males.
• Female dogs will not have a “heat cycle” after desexing.
• Higher possibility of a healthy and longer life.

Your pet’s personality should remain the same. Ensure that you keep your pet on a healthy diet and well exercised to reduce weight gain. Hormone changes can result in a slower metabolism which is why it is important to keep them healthy post-surgery. You can desex your dog at any age. It is recommended, however, that female dogs are desexed before their first menstrual cycle, as this also reduces the possibility of breast cancer.

Read more about desexing your dog.

Puppies begin to mature much faster than a human. Naturally, the older they get, the more care they will need. Dogs usually live between 8-16 years. Their lifespan varies according to their breed, size and underlying conditions. They are more likely to get age related illnesses at a younger age since they age so rapidly. These diseases include cancer and diabetes.

Health checks should be done annually. This will allow you to ensure your pet remains healthy and to pick up any illness early. Thus, you can treat illnesses before they progress to life threatening.

Annual checks are also useful to talk to your vet about nutritional advice and other information you may need to keep your pet healthy. Feel free to ask your veterinarian questions that you may have about anything regarding your pet’s well-being. You can book your pet’s annual checkup at our clinic.