VACCINATIONS:

There are a number of infectious diseases that affect puppies. Several are serious and indeed can be fatal. Fortunately, it is possible to protect against them by the use of vaccines. We recommend the following course, which will protect against Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza and Bordetella.

This level of vaccination is required for local boarding kennels and dog obedience classes.

When we vaccinate puppies, we always include a thorough health check.

First shot: 6-8 weeks old……C3 Vaccine (usually done while still with their mother)

2nd shot:10-12 weeks …….C5 Vaccine

3rd shot:14-16 weeks …….C5 Vaccine

Next booster: 12 months later at 16 months of age…….C5 Vaccine

INTESTINAL WORMS:

We recommend the following schedule using a good broad spectrum allwormer (MILBEMAX). Many tablets and liquids sold in pet shops and supermarkets do not kill all worms.

Between 3 to 8 weeks old……WEEKLY (The number of tablets depends on their weight)

8 to12 weeks old……EVERY 2 WEEKS

3 to 6 months old……..MONTHLY

THEN…….. every 3 MONTH FOR LIFE

If you see worms……..do it more often.

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.

We recommend monthly tablets at first (MILBEMAX), then an annual injection(PROHEART SR12) when they are being desexed at 6 months of age. 

DESEXING:

It’s not true that allowing a female dog to have a season or a litter first will prevent them from getting fat. Only a good diet and plenty of exercise will do this.

Desexing is best done at 6 months of age for both males and females. While your pup is with us for the day being desexed, we can also repair umbilical hernias if present, remove any remaining temporary teeth, remove extra dewclaws, microchip, and give a heartworm injection.

Having their desexing operation is a milestone in your puppy’s life and we strive to give you both the best possible experience.

MICROCHIPPING:

When your puppy is microchipped a small implant is permanently injected under their skin, which can be scanned for a unique number that is recorded on a database with your contact details.

If your puppy is already microchipped before you bring them home, it’s important to change the contact details on the database as soon as possible.

Queensland Government Law requires our dogs and cats to be microchipped by 12 weeks of age.

GOOD NUTRITION:

For puppies, we recommend a PREMIUM DRY PUPPY FOOD, which is formulated for small, medium or large breeds. It can be softened with warm water to make it easier to eat.

Feed puppies four times a day until 8 weeks of age, then three times daily to 12 weeks, then twice daily thereafter. At 6 months of age they can be fed once a day.

When changing diets, or introducing anything new, it is important to change gradually over five days to avoid tummy upsets.

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

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 recommend the ACTIVYL Spot-on monthly treatment, which can be used safely from 8 weeks of age. NEXGARD is a chewable monthly tablet for fleas and ticks, that is very effective and safe from 8 weeks of age. ADVANTAGE spot-on can be used on pups from 2 days of age, so is a safe option for younger pups.

Some chemicals cannot be used with others, so always check labels of products before using them in combination with others. Please contact our surgery for advice if you are unsure.

PUPPY PRESCHOOL:

Puppies that have graduated from our Puppy Preschool classes rush into the surgery, with their tails wagging, confident, and excited to see us. They have positive memories of visiting the vet and this helps to make future experiences more successful.

Puppy Preschool is a socialisation class that also introduces you to the early stages of obedience training.

Here are a few important points on caring for kittens.

VACCINATIONS:

We routinely immunise against Cat Flu and Feline Enteritis.

These diseases are sadly still common among the unvaccinated cat population, and very contagious through casual contact with other cats.

FOR KITTENS:

At 8 weeks old………….FLU/ENTERITIS/CHLAMYDIA VACCINE

At 12 weeks old………..FLU/ENTERITIS/CHLAMYDIA VACCINE

At 16 weeks old………..FLU/ENTERITIS/CHLAMYDIA VACCINE

Kittens older than 12 weeks still require 2 initial vaccines for protection.

For Adults: Annual FLU/ENTERITIS/CHLAMYDIA BOOSTER

Remember Boarding Catteries require vaccinations to be current.

There are also vaccines available against Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (Cat AIDS) and Feline Leukaemia (FeLV). Cat AIDS is especially a problem with any cat that goes outside. These vaccines can be incorporated into the routine vaccine programme.

INTESTINAL WORMS:

We recommend worming cats for roundworm, hookworm and tapeworm:

Between 3 to 8 weeks old……..WEEKLY

Between 8 to 12 weeks old.……EVERY 2 WEEKS

Between 3 to 6 months old……..MONTHLY

THEN………….. 3 MONTHLY FOR LIFE

(N.B.) If worms are seen, worm them anyway.

A GOOD BROAD SPECTRUM WORMER (eg. Milbemax) IS THE BEST WAY TO WORM YOUR PET.

MANY TABLETS AND LIQUIDS SOLD IN PET SHOPS AND SUPERMARKETS DO NOT KILL ALL WORMS.

HEARTWORM:

Every cat exposed to mosquitoes may be at risk. There is no treatment, only prevention, which can be a once a month tablet (MILBEMAX) or a monthly spotton application (REVOLUTION).

DESEXING:

Desexing helps prevent roaming and fighting habits developing, especially in Tom Cats. There is no advantage in Queens having a litter. Queens can come into season as early as 6 months (sometimes earlier).

We recommend desexing both male and female cats at 5-6 months of age.

MICROCHIPPING:

Can be done at the same time as desexing, or vaccination.

GOOD NUTRITION:

Rules:

1. Kittens cannot survive on raw meat only.
2. A good variety of food between 6 and 12 weeks of age means a less fussy adult cat.
3. Always introduce a new food a little at a time to start, otherwise upset tummies may follow.
4. We recommend a well-balanced PREMIUM DRY FOOD

How Often to Feed:

• 4 times daily to 8 weeks old
• 3 times daily 8 to 12 weeks old
• Then twice daily (maybe once daily after 6 months).
• Do not feed purely dry food to a male cat.
• Always have fresh water available.

FLEAS:

There are many products on the market; we recommend the topical spot on formulations (REVOLUTION).

But remember you must do two things for total flea control:

1. Attack fleas environment where they breed i.e. anywhere the pets spend time (carpet, bedding)
2. Treat ALL pets in the household.

Always check labels of chemicals before use. Some chemicals cannot be used with others and cannot be used on cats.

Never use permethrin products such as Advantix or Permoxin on cats.

POISONS:

Cats are very susceptible to many products including some that are safe in dogs. eg DETTOL, ASPIRIN, PARACETAMOL.

GROOMING and TRAINING:

Regular grooming is essential, particularly for long-haired cats. Start grooming your kitten early on so that it becomes an enjoyable bonding activity and part of routine care.  Grooming removes dust, dead skin, grass seeds and reduces the amount of fur shed during the moulting season in autumn and spring.

Kittens are very playful and curious and love to develop their instinctive hunting behaviour by chasing toys.  Play time is a good opportunity for you to teach your kitten good manners.  Occasionally hunting games turn into play aggression – make sure that the fun ends if their claws come out.  If they do something naughty, such as sharpening their claws on the furniture, give them a gentle spray with a water pistol.  It is important that your kitten doesn’t turn their hunting skills on the local wildlife.  Place bells on your cat’s collar and keep them in at night to make sure that the native animals are safe.