HEARTWORM:

A killer disease spread by mosquitoes. Prevention of this disease is simple. Dogs should be put onto heartworm prevention no later than 4 months of age.

There is a choice of daily, monthly or a yearly injection.

We recommended a yearly heartworm injection at 6 months old.

Dogs over 6 months of age should be tested before going onto medication. If not, severe reactions and possibly death can occur.

Dogs which test positive for heartworm can be successfully treated depending on the age and condition of the dog.

DESEXING:

There is no advantage in bitches having a litter or first season. Having your dog desexed while he/she is young does not mean he will get fat and lazy. That depends on how he/she is fed and exercised.

It prevents roaming and fighting habits developing, and with females reduces the risk of mammary cancer occurring. It is best done at 6 months for both males and females.

Older females if not speyed can also develop a womb infection which can be life threatening at worst and at best will mean surgery.

To make an appointment please contact us and we will be happy to answer any further questions you might have.

In Summary at 6 months old we can desex, repair umbilical hernias, remove any remaining temporary teeth, remove dewclaws, microchip, and give a heartworm injection.

MICROCHIP

Local Government requires our dogs and cats to be microchipped by 12 weeks of age. This came into force July 2009. In some circumstances we will delay the procedure until dsexing time under anaesthetic.

The chip helps to find get your pet back when lost. Ask the our Team for more information.

GOOD FEEDING:

We recommend Eukanuba Dry Puppy Food which is specially formulated for small, medium or large breeds. Raw chicken necks or wings for healthy teeth and gums.

Dehydrated liver or pig's ears make good healthy treats. Feed puppies four times a day to 8 weeks, then three times daily to 12 weeks then twice daily thereafter (once daily after 6 months of age if wanted).

When changing diets it is important to change gradually over five days to avoid tummy upsets. The small breed puppies can be fussy.

Do Not Feed dogs chocolates, onions, macadamia nuts, grapes, sultans or raisins.

PUPPY PRESCHOOL:

FLEAS:

It is important to have good flea control from the beginning. Fleas accumulate in the dog's environment and progressively become harder to control.

We highly recommend the monthly tablet Comfortis . It lasts 1 month and can be given from 14 weeks of age. Advantage can be used on pups from 2 days of age .

Some chemicals cannot be used with others. Always check labels of chemicals before using them in combination with others.

Please CONTACT OUR SURGERY FOR ADVICE if unsure. Washing the dog's bedding should be done weekly and periodic environmental treatment with insecticidal flea foggers should be done before summer.

TICKS:

Paralysis Ticks are not prevalent on the Peninsula. If your dog does leave the Peninsula area and have contact with bush areas the dog may pick up a paralysis tick. There are several products to minimise the risk of tick paralysis. FRONTLINE TOPSPOT used fortnightly is the most convenient. Always do a thorough body search for several days if your dog has been in a bush area. Tick collars can also be used (alweasy check minimum age requirements).

AFTER-HOURS PET EMERGENCIES: