1. Vaccinations
- 6 – 8 weeks of age
- 12 weeks of age
- 16 weeks of age
Then annually for life.
This vaccination protects against viral diseases: Parvovirus, Distemper, infectious canine Hepatitis and Canine Cough, which includes Parainfluenza virus and Bordetella bacteria.
2. Intestinal Worms
- Transmitted from mother to puppies at birth
- Picked up from their own and other dogs faeces
- Worms include Round, Hook, Whip and Tapeworm
- Worm 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks of age, then 4 months, 5 months, 6 months
- Then every 3 months for life
- Sentinel/ Interceptor also treat Round, hook and whip worms monthly
- Roundworm and hookworm can cause blindness in children
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3. Heartworm
- Transmitted by mosquitoes from one dog to another
- Prevention by a monthly tablet or spot on or a yearly injection once they are greater than 6 months of age
- Should begin prevention in tablet form from 12 weeks of age
- Animals older than six months need a blood test before starting
- Heartworm can be treated if it is diagnosed early
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4. Desexing
Desexing male and female dogs prevents diseases just like vaccinations and worming.
The best time to get your dog desexed is between 16 to 22 weeks of age.
At 16 weeks if you have a large breed dog or a dog susceptible to hip dysplasia get a PennHIP radiograph to diagnose hip dysplasia.
If Distraction Juvenile Pubic Symphydesis(JPS) surgery to improve hip laxity at same time as desexing.
Desexing female dogs prevents:
- Mammary cancer if desexed before their first season. Otherwise there is a 4 x increased chance after each season.
- Disease of the uterus especially pyometron – a deadly bacterial infection.
- Disease of the ovaries especially ovarian cancer
Desexing male dogs prevents
- Testicular cancer – the most common tumour in male dogs.
- Prostate disease especially
- Infection, cysts and enlargement
- Tumours around their anus called perianal adenomas
- Hernias
- Male dogs are more likely to wander and get into fights and get hit by cars.
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5. Microchipping
From 1st July 1999 Microchipping is compulsory for all puppies by 12 weeks then they must be registered with the council by 6 months.
- A microchip is the size of a grain of rice that is injected under the skin between the shoulder blades.
- An individual number that corresponds to one animal only is contained within the microchip and is read by a special microchip scanner.
- If your dog gets lost without its collar, a microchip may be the only identification that ensures your dog gets returned home
- Microchipping may save your dogs life!
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6. Diet
How much?
Let your puppy eat for ten minutes only
<12 Weeks – feed 3 times daily
3-9 Months – free twice daily
>9 Months – feed once daily or give 2 smaller meals
What to feed?
The best balanced diet for their teeth and body is a ¾ dry food and ¼ mix of rice, vegetables, and meat etc. Raw veal, lamb or beef leg bones for medium to large dogs. Raw chicken wings for small dogs.
3 golden rules for bringing up large puppies:
- Don’t over feed – 10 minutes only then take food away.
- Don’t add calcium to an already balanced diet.
- Don’t over exercise – ie. Leash walks only until fully grown at 16 months.
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7. Fleas
Each flea after biting lays approximately 1000 eggs in 20 days. To eradicate fleas we need to treat two areas
All animals, either:
- Spray Frontline monthly, or
- Spot on Advantage/Advocate or Revolution every month, or
- Flea rinse Permoxin weekly
Treat the environment either:
- Program/ Sentinel in food monthly, or
- Flea bomb house and spray yard in September
PUPPY TRAINING
with Tom Wilson
OUR FOUR WEEK COURSE USING POSITIVE, MOTIVATIONAL METHODS COVERS THE FOLLOWING –
- SOCIALISATION – PLAY WITH OTHER PUPPIES AND EXPOSURE TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE
- BASIC OBEDIENCE – SIT, STAY, DOWN AND COME WHEN CALLED
- TOILET TRAINING
- TEACH YOUR PUPPY GOOD MANNERS
- PREVENT A BITE
- PROBLEM SOLVING
All the family is welcome!
Classed at VetMed Randwick. For details call (02) 9398 1222