Essential Vet Care for Puppies: Health Tips & Checkups Guide
Vet Care for Puppies: Just like babies, puppies need constant care for the 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 severe 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 specific 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 is recommended at around 8 weeks, with regular boosters administered 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, then every 3 months thereafter. This treatment should be completed regardless of whether worm droppings are visible, as the evidence of intestinal worms can sometimes be 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, while also eliminating the risk of certain cancers. The ideal time for 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 process lasting a few months. Ensure your dog maintains excellent oral health by brushing regularly and visiting your veterinary clinic for dental check-ups. 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 every week.
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.
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