New Puppy & Kitten Program
New Puppy
Whether it is your first puppy or a new addition to the current family, it is always exciting to bring home a new furry friend. You want what is best for the little one and hopefully are able to spend many years with your pet. The best way to make sure your pet has a chance at a long and healthy life is to ensure a good start.
Some of the main aspects you need to look at for your puppy
Vaccinations
Vaccinations are available against parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis and canine cough. Your dog will need an annual health check and vaccination.
Worming
Most puppies are born with worms or contract them from the mother’s milk. Worms can make puppies quite ill and in severe infestations cause fatalities. Puppies need worming every 2 weeks until they are 12 weeks of age then monthly until they are 6 months old. As older dogs they will need worming every 3 months so every change of season is a good mental trigger to remind you it is worming time.
Heartworm prevention is also essential for the mozzies that spread this disease are common around our area. Treatment starts as early as 3 months of age and continues for life. Long lasting Proheart SR12 injection is recommended.
Ticks and Fleas
You vet can assist with advise on treatment for your pup to prevent ticks and fleas. These parasites can cause irritation, allergies and skin problems in puppies. Some ticks can even cause paralysis and death. Make sure to check your puppy regularly, even if you are using preventatives.
Speak to one of our veterinarians about which product is most appropriate for your pup.
Desexing
This is recommended for puppies at around 6 months of age. Desexing helps curb inappropriate behaviours such a marking, aggression and roaming. It also prevents unwanted litters and reduces the risk of a variety of potentially fatal diseases later in life.
Microchipping
This is a simple process with a small chip being placed between the shoulder blades, under the skin of the puppy. Your details are registered on a database and linked to the number on the chip. This helps reunite lost puppies with their owners faster if they get lost.
Diet and Nutrition
Our vets can assist with guidance on the best diet for your puppy to ensure optimal nutrition for health and growth. Puppies eat 3 small meals a day until they are around 4 months, then 2 meals a day. At 6 months to a year you can swap to 1 large meal a day if preferred.
Socialisation and Training
We recommend that your puppy undergoes socialization and training in a controlled environment such as a puppy school preferably between the ages of 12 to 16 weeks. This is the optimal time to train a puppy, but it is never too late to do some obedience training and socialization with others to improve behaviour.
A New Kitten. What Now?
Cute, furry kittens are lovely additions to the family. When you bring a new kitten home, you want what is best for their health and wellbeing for years to come. There are some aspects to look at to improve your pet’s chances of living a healthy, happy and long life.
Some of the main aspects you need to look at for your kitten
Vaccinations
There are a number of serious and even deadly diseases that can be prevented by vaccinating your kitty. These include: feline herpes virus1, feline calicivirus, panleukopenia virus, feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukaemia. The first three should be given to all kittens at 8 weeks, 12 weeks and 16 weeks of age. The latter 2 vaccines should be given to cats that spend time outdoors. Adult cats should ideally have boosters annually or at a minimum every 3 years.
Worming
Intestinal worms can make a kitten very ill and in severe cases even cause death. Kittens need to be dewormed every 2 weeks until they have reached 12 weeks of age. Then deworm monthly until they are 6 months old. From 7 months on you can deworm every 3 to 6 months for their entire lifespan. Speak to our vets about the best solution for your kitten.
Fleas and ticks
Fleas can cause skin irritations and allergies without you even being aware of them. There are ticks that can cause paralysis and death. It is important that you check your pet regularly and use preventatives.
Desexing
Avoid fighting, wandering and territorial spraying by having your kitten desexed at 16 weeks of age. This also helps prevent your cat acquiring FIV infection (cat AIDS), prevent unwanted litters as well as reducing the risks for certain cancers and infections such as pyometra. The process is routine and is generally completed within one day.
Microchipping
Safeguard your kitten by having it microchipped. The chip is placed under the skin, between the shoulder blades of the kitten. Each chip has a unique number. The number is then linked in a database back to your details. This allows for your pet to be scanned if found and be reunited with you sooner.
Diet and Nutrition
To ensure proper health and growth for your kitten, you should be feeding a premium brand made from high quality ingredients. Speak to your vet about the right product for your kitten to ensure all dietary needs are adequately met. Your kitten will need 3 meals a day until they are 5 to 6 months old. You can then go to twice a day feeds.
