Health, Care & Grooming Guide

Common Dog Diseases

Vaccinations

Puppies require a series of vaccinations to protect them against some common infections which can be fatal. Dogs then require an annual booster vaccination to continue this protection.

* 6-8 weeks C3- Parvovirus, Distemper, Adenovirus

* 12 weeks C5 - Parvovirus, Distemper, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, and Bordetella Bronchiseptica

* 16 weeks C5 - Parvovirus, Distemper, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, and Bordetella Bronchiseptica

Heartworm

Heartworm is transmitted by mosquitoes, so your puppy does not need to be in contact with other dogs to become infected. The worms live inside the heart and can grow to 30cm in length, interfering with circulation and eventually causing heart failure and death.

Generally, there are no outward signs of the disease until it is quite advanced and although there are treatments available the disease is usually still fatal as the damage to the heart is permanent. Puppies should start heartworm prevention at 12 weeks of age.

There are several different products available - either monthly tablets or "spot-ons", most of which also protect against a range of other parasites, or the convenience of the once yearly Pro-heart injection.

Pro-heart Injection:

This injection is given once a year in adults dogs, but has to be given a little more frequently in pups:

* 1st dose - 12 weeks (when due for final puppy vaccination)

* 2nd dose - 6 months

* 3rd dose - 15 months (when 1st annual vaccination is due)

* Post 15 months - Then every 12 months

Worming

Intestinal worms can be transmitted from dogs to humans, especially children and can cause serious health problems. Pups can be born with intestinal worms or pick them up from their mother soon after birth and if left untreated, can be fatal.

Please note that not all worm preparations are effective against all types of worms.

Worm puppies:

* Every 2 weeks until 12 weeks of age, then

* Every month until 6 months of age, then

* Every 3 months

Fleas

Fleas can cause skin disease, anaemia and tapeworm infestation in your puppy. Washes, powders and collars generally only kill the fleas that are on the animal at the time of application and before long a flea infestation builds up again from an infested environment. There are a number of excellent "spot-on" preparations that are very effective, last for a whole month and kill fleas before they can even bite your dog.

Grooming

Note: Puppies will need to be blow dried once bathed as they still won't be able to regulate their own body temperature until they're a few months old.

Care Guide

De-sexing

We recommend that male and female dogs are de-sexed at 12+ months of age. There are several important reasons for this:

* Reduces the risk of unwanted pregnancy and the number of unwanted puppies

* Makes dogs more receptive to training (especially male dogs) and can make dogs less territorial and less aggressive

* Reduces the risk of mammary tumours in females

* Eliminates the risk of uterine infections (pyometras) in female dogs which are fatal if not treated

* Eliminates the risk of testicular cancer and reduces the risk of prostate problems in males.

Female dogs will come into season from 5-12 months of age depending on their breed. Female dogs DO NOT need to have a season before being de-sexed. In fact, the risk of developing malignant mammary tumours is only 0.5% in dogs that are spayed before their first season. This jumps to 8% in dogs spayed after their first season then to a 26% risk after their second season.

Puppy School

It is very important that puppies are socialised with other animals and people from an early age to prevent behavioural problems later in life. Puppy school is an excellent way to start this, as well as learn about puppy care, basic training and puppy behaviour in a fun small class environment. Please note that your puppy will be required to have their up-to-date vaccinations to be allowed to join in and participate in certain programs.

Pet Insurance

Pet insurance gives excellent piece of mind that your pet will be able to get the treatment that is necessary if any unforeseen health problems should arise. There are several different companies which offer pet insurance with a wide range of different policies available. It is important to select a policy that will best suit your situation. We would recommend RSPCA Pet Insurance.

Adjustment – It doesn’t happen OVERNIGHT

The 3/3/3 rule is a general guideline for the adjustment period of a pup/dog after adoption, everyone is unique and will adjust differently.

3 Days: To Decompress

• Feeling overwhelmed

• May feel scared/unsure of what’s going on

• Not comfortable enough to be themselves quite yet

• May not want to eat or drink

• Shuts down and hides under furniture

• Test the boundaries

3 Weeks: To learn your routine

• Starts settling in

• Feels more comfortable

• Realises this could be a forever home

• Figures out their environment

• Gets into a routine

• Let their guard down, may begin to show true personality

• Behaviour issues may start to appear

3 Months: Start to feel ‘AT HOME’

• Finally feels completely comfortable in new home

• Begins to build trust and a true bond

• Gains a complete sense of security with their new family

• Sets into a routine