Who Are the Port Kennedy Vets?

At Port Kennedy Vets, we understand, value, and respect the special nature of the bond between an owner and their pet. We aim to provide the best quality healthcare for your pets in order to maximise their quality of life. Pets are a part of the family and we know that when they suffer, you suffer. That’s why we dedicate each day to relieving pain and restoring health as quickly and comfortably as possible.

Highly Qualified Staff

We currently have 7 highly skilled veterinary surgeons on the team, as well as our two owners who have more than 70 years of veterinary experience between them. Our surgeons have all dedicated their education and careers to animal care – we have a genuine passion for looking after your pets.

Friendly Service

Our reception is staffed by a mixture of qualified veterinary nurses and students, so you can be sure that caring for your pet is their number one priority. We understand how worrying it can be to visit the vet, both for owners and their pets, and we aim to make clinic visits as easy and comfortable as possible.

All-Round Care

Our team of support staff includes two groomers, two kennel hands, and a puppy school trainer. We pride ourselves on providing a service that looks after all of the needs of your pet from their first visit to their senior years. Our qualified veterinary surgeons offer advice on all aspects of pet care including nutrition, behaviour, dental care and preventative treatments to ensure excellent all-round care for all patients.

Modern Technology

We believe that keeping up with technological developments is vital in order to provide the highest standard of care to your pet. We are proud of the exceptional standard of our clinical facility, which includes a dedicated dental suite, a wide range of anaesthetic and pain relief methods, medical monitoring equipment, and a modern sterilisation autoclave.

A Community Vet

Port Kennedy Veterinary Hospital has been operating under its current owners for 18 years, growing from a small one-vet treatment centre to the large and busy centre we are today. We believe in supporting the next generation of vets, which is why we offer many work placements throughout the year to give students the hands-on experience they need to succeed in the veterinary world. In order to give back to our community, we offer free seminars on animal wellness and provide educational support to local schools.

To make an appointment at Port Kennedy Veterinary Hospital, call us now on 08 9524 6644 or visit our contact page for more ways to get in touch.

Veterinary Care for Puppies

Just like babies, puppies need constant care for their first few months of their life to monitor behaviour and keep them safe. Your puppy should make its first visit to the vet before it reaches 10 weeks old – the longer you wait, the more you put them at risk.

Puppy care involves a range of preventative treatments and checkups, all of which are included in our Puppy Wellness Package. To learn more about how your vet can care for your puppy, read the information below.

 

Vaccinations

Vaccines are a vital part of your puppy’s care to help prevent serious disease. There are two classes of vaccine – core vaccines, which should be given to every puppy, and supplementary vaccines, which are only recommended for certain dogs and situations.

The three core vaccines offered at Port Kennedy Veterinary Hospital are distemper (a viral disease affecting the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems); canine adenovirus type 2 (an infectious respiratory disease) and canine parvovirus type 2 (a virus infecting the intestines). The first vaccine for a new puppy will be recommended at around 8 weeks, with regular boosters for the first few months.

 

Deworming

Many puppies are born with intestinal parasites inherited from their mother. Your dog should be wormed every few weeks for the first few months, and then every 3 months from then on. This treatment should be completed regardless of whether worm droppings are visible as sometimes the evidence of intestinal worms is too small to be seen. If left untreated, these parasites can cause anaemia and weight loss, so preventing their growth is vital.

 

Desexing

Spaying or neutering your puppy provides health benefits for your pet and lifestyle benefits for you. It prevents pets from fighting or roaming and makes them more relaxed and affectionate, as well as eliminating the risk of certain cancers. The ideal time for a surgical spaying is between 4 and 6 months of age before your puppy reaches sexual maturity.

 

Teething

Your puppy’s first teeth will begin to erupt after just a few weeks, with the teething processing lasting a few months. Ensure your dog maintains great oral health with regular brushing and dental check-ups at your veterinary clinic. Preventing gum disease and tooth decay is simply a matter of monitoring your pet’s diet and keeping teeth strong by chewing on raw or dental bones on a weekly basis.

If you’d like to arrange vaccinations for your puppy or purchase a wellness package, call Port Kennedy Veterinary Hospital now on 08 9524 6644 or visit our contact page for more ways to get in touch.

 

Wellness Package for Cats & Dogs – What’s Included

Visits to the vet for your pet’s regular checks, cost of pet food, pet accessories, grooming and training can be quite expensive to keep up with. Luckily, Port Kennedy Veterinary Hospital offers wellness packages for cats and dogs in an effort to save pet owners money in the long run without neglecting their pet’s health. View our infographic to see what’s included in the package.

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The New Puppy Owner’s Guide

Port Kennedy Veterinary Hospital Puppy Preschool

Becoming a dog owner is a very exciting occasion – we bet you’re super excited about the latest addition to your family and can’t wait to get him or her home! Caring for a new puppy or  dog is a great way for kids to learn about responsibility, compassion empathy and how to interact with other animals. Dogs offer a wealth of companionship and loyalty to people, as well  as the opportunity for fun and increased activity. Life’s never boring with a dog in the house!

If your new canine friend is still a puppy there are some important things you’ll need to know, to ensure you’re giving him or her proper care and attention needed for the best start at a  long and healthy life.

To help you look after your new little canine friend properly, we’ve put together some important factors you’ll need to consider for your puppy’s wellbeing. Port Kennedy Wellness Package has been designed for puppies and dog to provide affordable health care for your pet.

Have a look at this practical owner’s guide about basic health and care for your puppies and dogs-

Bringing Your Puppy Home

It’s important to have a space already set up for your puppy before you bring him or her home. This will help them feel settled and safe, and allow them to rest and sleep in their own comfortable space.

Have some toys and playthings in their area to entertain them; this also helps them to know that this area is theirs. The laundry can be a good choice, providing a quiet room that isn’t a major thoroughfare of the house.

If you have children, they’ll no doubt be excited and wanting to play with this new family member. But make sure they know that puppy will need its sleep and quiet time, as it becomes settled in its new home. Supervise children, and introduce other pets gradually and carefully.

Exercising Your Dog

Regular exercise is very important for your puppy’s health and wellbeing. Make daily walks part of your new routine – your dog will look forward to exploring its new neighbourhood with you and will receive the stimulation and physical activity it needs to grow healthy and strong. Once initial Vaccine course is completed, seek guidance from your vet.

Puppy Training

Dogs require more training than most other pets, so be prepared to invest time in your puppy’s behavioural development and socialisation. Between the ages of 3 weeks to 17 weeks is a particularly critical time, influencing their behaviour as adult dogs. Also by attending dog training at Port Kennedy Vets owners learn what motivates their dog, differnt methods to ensure great outcomes.

Puppy pre-school classes at this age can be great for learning to socialise with other dogs and people, in different environments.

Your puppy should also learn to entertain themselves at home, with playthings and toys to keep active and avoid boredom. You can hide toys stuffed with dog treats around the house, especially when you’re not at home.

Puppy Toilet Training

The best way to toilet train your new puppy is by reward-based positive reinforcement – giving lots of praise and a reward when they go in the correct place. Make sure this area is easily accessible and your dog has frequent opportunity to use the space.

Be patient with your puppy and don’t ever punish them if they’re not getting it straight away. Your training will be far more successful if reinforced positively and patiently.

Dog and Puppy Vaccinations

Your new puppy will need to be vaccinated to protect against infectious diseases such as parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis and canine cough. Some of these diseases can be fatal, so vaccinations are extremely important. We run Vaccinations for Dogs and puppies between at 6-8 weeks, then 12 weeks.

As well as vaccinations, you need to factor in desexing, microchipping, dental health checks, regular worming and flea control, as well as any emergency vet treatment in case of accident or illness.

Preventative Healthcare for Your Dog

Before you go ahead and adopt a new puppy or dog, make sure you’ve carefully considered whether you can responsibly care for them. You’ll need to invest both time and money into your dog’s wellbeing – owning a pet is a long-term responsibility so make sure you’re committed to looking after your new friend for life, providing a safe and comfortable forever home.

Port Kennedy Veterinary Hospital offers a range of affordable wellness packages that provide regular preventative care for your dog’s health. Regular check-ups ensure ongoing good health for your dog, and by preventing illness and disease in the first place you’ll also be saving money on potentially expensive vet bills.

Monthly payment plans will take a lot of the financial stress out of owning a pet, giving you 100% peace of mind that you’re looking after them properly, and have somewhere to turn to in case of emergency. You’ll also have compassionate and skilled vets always on hand to offer you guidance and support in looking after your puppy. Now go spend some time with your new best mate!