Dogs
To keep your puppy or dog happy and healthy, there are some basic requirements that you should meet. The following is a list of must-do's to keep your pets disease free, and give them the best chance for a long and healthy life.
Vaccination
Puppies are required to have 2 vaccinations 4 weeks apart. The first vaccination can be given at 6-8 weeks. The diseases that we vaccinate against in dogs are canine hepatitis, distemper, parvovirus and parainfluenza and bordatella. Parainfluenza and bordatella are collectively called canine cough (kennel cough). It is mandatory to get your dog vaccinated against the above diseases if they are going into kennels, or participating at dog obedience classes. A yearly booster vaccination is then given in order to provide an ongoing immunity. At the annual visit a full health check will also be preformed and any problems discussed.
Worming
There are two main groups of worm found in the dog - gutworms and heartworms. Gut worms include round, hook, whip, and tapeworm. Gutworms cause local irritation to the gut and can lead to weight loss, diarrhoea and general ill thrift. Of particular importance in Adelaide is round worms, as this can be passed to humans and lead to blindness. Worming is recommended at 2 weekly intervals until the puppy is 12 weeks of age, then monthly until 6 months, and then every 3 months as an adult.
Heartworm is a worm that is approximately 15-20cms in length and the adult worm lodges in and around the major blood vessels in the heart & the lungs. This can potentially lead to a blockage of these vessels, which in turn can kill the dog. Heartworm is transmitted by mosquitoes. Heartworm is easily prevented by a variety of different methods including daily tablets, monthly tablets, chewable tablets or spot-on formulations. There is now a once a year injection for prevention of heartworm as well.
Feeding
Puppies require a well balance puppy formula, up until they are at least 6-8 months of age. Large breed puppies are recommended to be fed a puppy or growth formula up until 12-18 months of age because they have a longer growing period. Puppy formulas have a higher calcium and protein content for growing muscles and bones. Puppies should be fed two to three times a day up until 4-6 months of age. We stock a wide range of both dry and tinned preparations in the 'Hills' range. Hills is a superior dog food because it is nutritionally balanced, highly palatable food containing antioxidants, essential for natural defences.
Raw bones such as quartered marrow bones, lamb shanks, and chicken necks and wings, as well as greenies, are also recommended for providing healthy teeth and gums.
Desexing
Desexing is recommended for those dogs which are not going to be used for breeding. Desexing can be performed from six months of age onwards. Several benefits include prevention of unwanted litters, a reduction in breast cancer and uterine infections in the females and a decrease in aggression/roaming behaviours and prostate/testicular cancers in the males. Sterilisation is a day procedure, with attention paid to optimum pain management.
Microchipping
A microchip is the size of a grain of rice, which is injected under the dogs skin. It carries a code unique to you and your pet. This code is enforced onto a national computer database and appears on a certificate of identification given to the owner. Microchipping is the most effective form of permanent identification. A microchip scanner is passed over the dog to reveal the unique code. The operator can read the code on the scanners display and then refer to the national computer database to identify your name, address and phone number. The microchip scanners are in routine use by veterinarians and animal welfare organisations such as the RSPCA, and Animal Welfare League of South Australia.
Flea Treatment
Fleas are a common external parasite, which love to live in your dogs coat. Fleas can be readily killed by several different methods. One of the most effective treatments is a spot on product applied on the skin at the back of the neck. The two most effective products we recommend are revolution or frontline plus. Both of these products are easy to use and will kill 98-100% of adult fleas within 24 hours, and will continue killing fleas for a further month. These products are easy to apply and have an extremely wide safety margin. Fleas can be found on your dog all year round.