Your Puppy

Harvey puppy NEW PUPPY HEALTH CHECK – On your puppy’s first visit the vet will carry out a thorough health check. They will discuss a vaccination course to protect your puppy against Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza and Leptospirosis. We can start vaccinating against these conditions from 8 weeks of age, a second vaccination is required 2 weeks later. Your puppy will be able to go out 1 week after the second injection. To maintain, protection some of the diseases require a yearly booster vaccination whilst others need to be boosted every 3 years. These vaccinations can be given at your dog’s yearly health check. Our records and your vaccination card will alert us to which booster is needed.

WORMING – Your puppy should have been wormed by the breeders. It is very important that you continue to worm your puppy regularly to control roundworms initially and tape worms later. The Practice can supply wormers in tablet form or as a spot-on. We recommend that you worm your puppy monthly until 6 months of age, then a vet or nurse will help you to put together a worming plan to suit your dog.

DIET – It is essential that they are fed a diet which is formulated to give balanced growth and development. ‘Complete’ diets specifically designed for puppies are ideal because they contain the correct balance of nutrients for your growing puppy. The Practice staff can advise you on the best type of diet. If your puppy has any specific dietary requirements our nurses are always available to help and advise you.

FLEAS – are irritatingly common! But regular treatment with the right product can get on top of them. TICKS are also a problem in this area especially on the moors. We stock proven products for the treatment of fleas and/or ticks, usually in the form of ‘spot-ons’ or sprays. Our staff at the surgery are always available to advise you on which product would suit your puppy and how frequently it should be applied. Treatments for reducing flea numbers in the house are also available; this is a very important part of flea control as more than 95% of the flea’s life cycle occurs in the environment!

MICROCHIP IDENTIFICATION – A microchip is the size of a grain of rice and is implanted under the skin. It provides a permanent and unique identification for your puppy which is registered on a central database. A handheld scanner is used to read this unique number. Lost animals are routinely scanned and if they are chipped they are only a couple of phone calls away from being reunited with their family. Your puppy should also wear an engraved identification tag which is attached to the collar. These tags come in various sizes and shapes and can be ordered at reception.

INSURANCE – If your puppy has an accident or a serious illness the vet’s bill for the treatment can soon add up to hundreds of pounds. To take away the financial worry at a critical time, we strongly recommend that you consider getting insurance to cover any medical treatment that may be necessary.

SOCIALISATION AND PUPPY PARTIES – It is important that young puppies are exposed to other dogs, people, sights and sounds to ensure that they become manageable social adults. There is a surprisingly brief period in which this socialisation works (before 18 weeks of age) so it is important not to miss it. To help at this vital stage you will be invited to a series of puppy parties at the practice where they will mix with other puppies and owners; these are run by vets and nurses who are on hand to advise on training and health care.

SIX MONTH CHECK UP – Once your puppy reaches 6 months of age we recommend you attend a check up with one of our vets. They will discuss your puppy’s development, progress, changes to the worming regime and neutering.

ADOLESCENT CLINICS – When your puppy is about 9 months old you will receive an invitation to attend an adolescent clinic with our one of our nurses. This gives you the opportunity to ask advice on any routine health matters from feeding to dental care.

GROOMING – Some breeds of dogs will need regular grooming and clipping. Our resident groomer, Mandy Edwin, is available to give you advice on how frequently your dog should be groomed. Please ask at reception for more details.

RECOMMENDED READING:
‘The Perfect Puppy’ by Gwen Bailey (available at reception)
Do not hesitate to contact the practice on 01837 52148 for any advice, we are always happy to help.