The GOOD NEWS is that the disease is completely and easily preventable. Puppies are started on prevention from 8 weeks of age and MUST be kept on prevention for life. There are many choices of prevention available right here from the Hospital. Some examples are listed below.
The most convenient is a yearly heartworm injection that is often given at the same time as the annual vaccination.
The heartworm injection is given at 12 weeks of age (at the same time as vaccination), 6 months of age (at the same time as desexing) then just once a year with the annual check up and vaccination. There is no risk of lapsing with prevention as a reminder is sent out annually.
Most owners are happy that they no longer have to remember to give monthly prevention!!!
Revolution is a liquid that is applied to the skin at the back of the neck every month. It also provides protection against fleas.
Heartgard is a monthly meat flavoured chewable which many dogs regard as a treat.
Sentinel Spectrum is a flavoured tablet that is given once monthly which also protects against fleas and all four types of intestinal worms.
Intestinal worms
The four types of intestinal worms that infect puppies and adult dogs are roundworm, hookworm, tapeworm and whipworm.
This is a diagram of the common roundworm.
Roundworm infection is very common and most puppies are infected from a very young age from their mother. Infection may cause vomiting, diarrhoea, bloated abdomen and ill thrift.
For this reason, all puppies need to be wormed every 2 weeks until 12 weeks of age, then monthly until 6 months old and then every 3 months for life. An allwormer such as Popantel, Drontal or Canex that target all four types of intestinal worms needs to be used.
Can these worms be passed to humans?
Roundworm eggs can be ingested by humans, especially children. These eggs do not develop into adult roundworms in people, however migration of the immature worm larvae can cause potential damage to organs and tissues. Due to this potential hazard, as well as infection of the dog, regular worming of all puppies and adult dogs with an allwormer is essential. In addition, children should be taught to always wash hands prior to eating. Daily disposal of “doggy doo” from the yard is also advisable.
Fleas
Fleas continue to be a very common problem in all dogs and cats. Flea bites can be a serious problem for both the animal and human members of the household. Many pets become allergic to the flea bite, leading to Flea Allergy Dermatitis which can have long term serious consequences for the pet. Signs of the disease include dermatitis, self trauma, hair loss, excessive licking and chewing and depression in severe cases.
As part of the flea’s life cycle, they must bite a pet and ingest some of its blood so that they can lay their eggs. When the flea bites, it injects some of its saliva which is what the animal becomes allergic to. Pets that have flea allergy dermatitis only need to be bitten by one flea to start the whole cycle of dermatitis off again.
The adult flea only makes up 5 % of the total flea population. The rest of the population is made up of eggs and larvae in the animal’s environment, which are not visible to the naked eye. Therefore if we see only a small number of adult fleas, we know there is likely to be a large infestation already present in the home. Fleas require a warm environment to complete their life cycle which explains why they are more of a problem in the warmer months. However heating our homes during winter ensures year round infestation of our pets and our homes. For this reason, we strongly advise using effective flea control all year round. It is much easier to prevent fleas than get rid of them once you have an infestation.
So what can I do to control fleas on my pet and in my home?
There are several very effective easy to use products available to eliminate fleas on your pet. Most of these products are safe to be started at 8 weeks of age.
Frontline Plus and Advantage are applied to the skin between the shoulder blades once a month
Revolution is a liquid that is applied to the skin between the shoulder blades every month.
It also protects against heartworm as well as sarcoptic mange and ear mites.
Desexing
If you are not intending to breed from your new puppy, we advise desexing at 5-6 months of age. This has advantages for both male and female dogs.
Desexing a male dog removes the sexual urge which means they are less likely to wander if they smell the scent of a bitch in season. This reduces their chances of being involved in an automobile accident/road trauma. Desexing also reduces aggressive tendencies due to reduced levels of the male hormone testosterone. It also reduces the incidence of some
diseases including prostatic disease and perianal tumours in adult male dogs.
A desexed female dog will not come into heat or season and will not be able to become pregnant. Desexing also provides certain health benefits such as decreased risk of mammary (breast) cancer as well as preventing diseases of the uterus such as pyometra.
Owners quite often ask about the old wives tale that states that all female dogs should be allowed to have one litter before desexing to improve their temperament. There is no scientific proof to support this theory and we do not routinely advise it.
Owners also ask about potential weight gain post desexing. Careful feeding of a good quality, complete diet to meet the caloric needs of all pets helps to control weight gain. Overfeeding and lack of exercise are the main causes of weight gain in companion animals, not desexing.
Desexing is a surgical procedure that requires a general anaesthetic. The pet is admitted to the hospital for the day, and these procedures are able to be booked on any day Monday to Friday. Please phone if you would like an estimate of cost for desexing your puppy.
Please feel free to discuss any questions you may have regarding the pros and cons of desexing with any of our experienced staff.
Microchipping
Microchipping is the best way to permanently identify your puppy should they go missing. Unfortunately, many pets that turn up at animal shelters and council pounds have lost their collars and ID tags, making it impossible to reunite them with their owners. Microchipping eliminates this problem.
As of April 2007, all new pet registrations with local council will be required to be microchipped. Some councils are also electing to make it compulsory that pets must be microchipped for re-registrations.
Implanting a microchip is a very straight forward procedure. The tiny ID chip is placed between the shoulder blades beneath the skin. This can be performed in a routine consultation without the need for sedation. Alternatively it can be implanted while they are under anaesthesia for their desexing surgery.
We then register you and your pets details with a nationally accredited and Victorian Government approved Registry called Central Animal Records (www.car.com.au)
If your pet goes missing and ends up at a pound, shelter or vet clinic, a scanner is used to identify the animal and the owner is contacted to organise a reunion.
Feeding your puppy
Puppies need to be fed a complete and balanced diet that is appropriate for growth and development.
“Growth” or “Puppy formulas” have been developed to ensure the correct levels of protein, fats and carbohydrates for optimal growth and muscle development as well as the correct ratios of calcium and phosphorus for bone development. It is imperative that puppies are not given too much calcium in their diet as this can lead to skeletal deformities and diseases. Just as too little calcium can lead to very weak and easily bruised bones.
We strongly advise feeding a premium puppy food such as Eukanuba, which is made from the highest quality protein and energy sources, to promote optimal health of all body systems.
Eukanuba puppy food also contains DHA.
What is DHA?
Eukanuba Puppy food is available in three specific types to meet your puppy’s needs; Eukanuba small breed puppy, Eukanuba medium breed puppy and Eukanuba large breed puppy as pictured above. We can advise on the best one for your puppy as well as the age to which your puppy should be fed puppy food.
DHA is a critical brain-building omega-3 fatty acid which is vital for optimal development of the brain, nervous system and visual function in both human babies and young puppies. Eukanuba Puppy Foods contain the highest levels of brain building DHA, with as much as 3-10 times more DHA than oth
er leading brands. The potential benefits to puppies include better socialisation into the family environment, higher trainability and possibly reduced destructive behavior.
We also carry the Hills Science Diet range of premium foods here at the Hospital. Other premium foods can be ordered in on request.
Feeding Tips
Always change a puppy’s diet slowly over 5-7 days as sudden changes of diet can lead to gastrointestinal upsets.
Some puppies are lactose intolerant so avoid giving puppies cows milk. In fact, they have no need for milk as their calcium requirements are fully provided by feeding “puppy or growth” diets.
Guidelines for the amount to feed are provided on the packaging of commercial food. Ask us for advice if you are still unsure as to the amount to feed.
Use the following recommendations as a guide for feeding your puppy:
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6-12 weeks old Feed 3 times daily
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3-9 months old Feed twice daily
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9-12 months old Feed once or twice daily
Feeding should always be monitored and adjusted according to body weight and condition. Just as we do not want your puppy to be underweight, we also have to be careful they do not become excessively overweight as this can lead to problems with skeletal and joint development as they get older.
Puppy preschool for socialisation
Puppy Preschool classes are a fun, interactive five week training programme designed to give your puppy the best start in life.
The main aims of Puppy Preschool are:
To encourage your puppy to socialise with both puppies and people. It has been scientifically proven that puppies that are well socialised with other puppies between 8-16 weeks of age are more likely to develop into friendly well behaved adult dogs. Puppies that are isolated and have little outside contact during this critical early age are at a higher risk of developing behavioral problems later on. For this reason puppy preschool is strongly advised for all puppies to enable them to socialise in a fun, stress free environment.
- To start basic obedience training for you and your new puppy
- To provide important information and advice about health care for your puppy including nutrition, parasite control and veterinary care.
- To provide a fun, positive experience for your puppy when visiting the Hospital. This can reduce anxiety for your pet when visiting us in the future.
This is a group photo of one of our puppy pre-school classes.
Our classes are run over five consecutive Wednesday nights by Ron Williams, an accredited Delta Instructor and member of the Australian Pet Dog Training Association. The classes are held between 7.30 and 8.30pm and all members of the family are invited to participate. Bookings are essential.
If you would like to find out more, please phone and speak to one of the nurses.
Dental Care
Puppies get their first set of teeth or their temporary teeth in the first few weeks of life. Their permanent or adult teeth are usually all through by 6-7 months of age. When puppies are teething, they like to chew and it is not uncommon to find temporary teeth that have fallen out!
Dental disease is a major problem in adult dogs, so teaching your puppy early to look after their teeth can have major benefits. Puppies should be encouraged to chew on dental aids such as rawhide bones, pigs ears etc. We can give more advice on dental health care needs for your puppy.
Council Registration
All dogs and cats over three months of age need to be registered with your local council. All new registrations after April 2007 must also be microchipped in order to be registered. Please ask if you would like further advice.
Housing your puppy
It is essential to ensure you provide your new puppy with a warm, comfortable environment which is free from exposure to the elements, including wind. This is easy if you intend for your puppy to sleep inside. If your dog is to be an outside dog, a quality waterproof kennel will be needed to provide shelter and security.
Toilet training your puppy
Teaching your pup not to soil inside the house can be fairly easy if you follow a few straightforward guidelines. These are set out below although in order for toilet training to proceed without too many hiccups you really need to stick with it and remain patient.
Try to get in the habit of using one particular word or phrase when taking your pup out to the toilet. As your pups goes to the toilet repeat this word over and over. When they are completely finished make sure you calmly praise the pup. Try not to get too excited when praising your pup as this can lead to an ‘ accident’ occurring just when they’ve done the right thing.
Young puppies only have very small bladders and as such they need to go to the toilet quite a few times each day. Try to anticipate these times and take your puppy outside before they get the chance to go inside! As a rough guide most puppies will go to the toilet when they first wake up, after they have eaten or had a drink and when they calm down after playing.
Often we find that a puppy goes outside and is suddenly distracted. They are too busy exploring their environment to get down to business! Should this occur, put your pup on a lead to ensure they can’t wander at will. Trying to remain outside for at least five minutes each time you take your puppy out will also encourage them to use the time effectively.
Bathing and Grooming
Many people believe puppies need frequent bathing, however this is not the case. In fact, the best guideline to follow is to bath when needed but groom often.
Bathing
A p
uppy’s skin and coat is very different from human skin and hair and it is therefore best to avoid using any human products on your puppy.
Products such as eucalyptus wool wash will strip protective oils from the coat and also introduce high levels of eucalyptus into the bloodstream, potentially causing poisoning of your pup. Many human shampoos and soaps contain chemicals and fragrances that will irritate a pup’s delicate skin.
It is quite normal for pups to have a ‘puppy smell’ and bathing is only necessary if they are extremely dirty.
When it is necessary to bath your pup please ensure that you only use products that are clearly labeled as suitable for puppies.
Grooming
Regardless of your puppy’s breed, grooming can be carried out on a regular basis by all members of the family. Even the very youngest child can be taught how to brush the puppy under adult supervision.
Any puppy which will need to have regular, professional grooming when they are older should be introduced to puppy clips as early as possible. A puppy clip normally involves a groomer clipping the face, paws and tail of the puppy to get them used to the sights and sounds associated with a grooming salon.
When grooming your puppy at home make sure you use a soft brush which will not cut or tear at the puppy’s skin. A bad experience with brushing at this stage in the puppy’s life will only serve to make grooming an 
unpleasant experience for everyone as the pup gets older.
When grooming your pup it is the ideal time to check them over for any injuries or infections that they may have picked up during the course of their day. Check your puppy’s ears to ensure they are clean and pleasant smelling, check the feet for cuts and grazes, check the eyes to ensure they are clear and bright and check the bottom to be sure it is clean. Attention to these areas on a regular basis can often save you costly trips to the vet.
Don’t forget that the main purpose of grooming at this age is not to keep your puppy immaculate, but to allow them a chance to get used to being brushed and handled by you. Any puppies who get distressed at being groomed should be handled gently and only by an adult.
Children and Puppies
Having a dog within the family has been shown to generally have a positive effect on children, improving their self esteem and sense of responsibility whilst giving them both a playmate and a confidante. It is important however, that all children are taught to treat a new pup with kindness and respect. A puppy is not a toy and children should never be allowed to treat them as such.
Below are some pointers to help your child develop a good relationship with their new puppy.
Never allow even the very youngest children to hit or chase your puppy as habits learned early in life can be carried through the childhood years and beyond. A puppy will quickly learn to fear your child and may even respond by biting.
Encourage children to help with feeding the puppy as this will help to establish them as higher in the family hierarchy than the pup, whilst also teaching them responsibility.
It is generally only a good idea to give children full responsibility for feeding when the puppy has learnt basic commands such as sit and stay and will respond to the child’s command. Giving young children this responsibility too early on in the pup’s life may create anxiety within the child, causing them to retreat from the responsibility rather than enjoy it.
All puppies need a place to retire to when they wish to be left alone. This is particularly important when there are children in the house. It is essential that all children within the family are taught to respect this area and that they are not allowed to pester the puppy when he or she retreats here. Whilst saying this, it is also necessary that the puppy will accept removal from this area by an adult should the need arise.
While your puppy is still quite small it is a good idea to show children how to pick them up correctly. Start by standing facing the side of the puppy. Place one arm around the front of the pup’s chest and follow this by scooping the other arm under the pup’s bottom and lifting him or her into your arms. When holding the puppy make sure they are held against the body as this tends to give the puppy a feeling of security.
Taking your puppy for a walk once it is old enough is one of the many joys of pet ownership. Allowing your children to participate is beneficial to both them and the puppy. The important thing to remember here is that young children should always be supervised when walking the puppy. Let them take the lead in ‘safe’ areas such as a park, but be sure to keep a firm hand on the lead yourself when walking near busy roads. All too often children get pulled off their feet by a boisterous pup and the last thing you want is for this to happen where there is a danger of anyone being run over.
As you are probably aware it is illegal for you to allow your dog to defecate in public places without cleaning it up. Teach your children right from the beginning that going for a walk includes having to pick up any faeces. By the time they are old enough to take the dog alone cleaning up will be a natural part of the walk.
Always try to involve the children in obedience training. Most obedience clubs will encourage children to participate and if you find that the club you go to doesn’t, perhaps you need to find a club that does! Children need to learn that obedience training is a necessary part of owning a puppy and they should be encouraged to join in under supervision.
Puppy safety
Puppies will always try to eat what they shouldn’t. It is important to be aware that many common products and objects found in and around your home may be harmless to humans but can cause serious problems for your new puppy.
Listed below are some of the obvious and not so obvious items to take care with.
Poisons
Some common poisons are listed below:
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Battery Acids and Polishing Agents.
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Alcoholic Drinks
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Toiletries -including perfume and aftershave.
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Drugs and Medications -including over the counter preparations.
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Pesticides
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Insecticides
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Antifreeze -this has a very sweet smell, making it extremely attractive to puppies.
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Rat, Mouse and Snail poisons – It is important to note that PET SAFE poisons are deceptive. The safety is related to the product being less attractive to pets. These products, however, are still toxic if they are ingested and remember, some puppies are not too fussy about what they swallow
Toxic Plants
Some toxic plants are listed below:
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Mistletoe
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Azalea
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Wisteria
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Impatiens
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Hyacinth
Most puppies will ignore these plants but if your pup takes a liking to chewing sticks or plants remove the toxic varieties wherever possible. If this is not practical try putting a fence around these to make that part of the garden a ‘no go’ area for your puppy.
Foods
Avoid feeding your puppy the following foods:
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Spicy foods and Curries
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Raw Meats
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Chocolate – (as little as one chocolate bar can make an average size dog very sick. Cooking chocolate is even more dangerous and can be fatal!)
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Raw Onions – (given in excess can produce a form of anaemia)
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Cooked Bones – (cooking bones makes them less digestible and far more likely to splinter when chewed.)
Keep out of reach of puppies
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Polystyrene trays
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Food wrap
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Plastic Bags
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Rubber Bands
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Socks
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Electrical Cords (the use of a bitter spray eg.woundgard can be helpful to discourage a persistent puppy)
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Jewellery
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Marbles / Leggo (Any children’s toys that are small or have small components need to be put well out of reach.)
Pet Safe Toys
Puppies do need plenty of entertainment but try to avoid anything that can be swallowed or has sharp pieces. Small balls, Sticks, Frisbees (unless specifically designed for dogs), Children’s toys and Tennis Balls should all be avoided. Fragments from any of these items can be easily ingested, lodge in your pup’s airways or puncture their skin.
Some of the toys that we do recommend you allow your puppy to play with are set out below. These can be purchased from the clinic or ordered in at your request.
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The ‘Kong’ range of toys
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Buster Cubes
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Pet Frisbees
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Rope Bones
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Large Solid Rubber Balls
