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Vaccinations & Health Care

Vaccinations

It is important for your puppy's health and well being that they are vaccinated. Usually, first vaccinations are usually given at 8 - 9 weeks with the second at 12 weeks. You should discuss your puppy's vaccination programme with your vet.

Dental

Good oral health is essential to your puppy's overall health and wellbeing. Buy a toothbrush and paste specially formulated for animals. Do not use human toothpaste as the white froth created when brushing can cause puppies to panic and may also irritate their stomach if swallowed. Not all puppies will allow their owners to brush their teeth. If it causes you or your puppy distress there are other alternatives to keep your puppy's teeth in tip top condition. Feeding a nutritional dry food such as Pets at Home Puppy Complete, helps to keep teeth clean, gums firm and breath fresh. There are also a variety of dental treats that can aid the elimination of tartar build up and bad breath.

BathingBathing

There are many ways to keep your pup in tip top condition; Pets at Home has a number of foam shampoos, powders, wipes and sprays that all offer different benefits. Most people favour a mild puppy shampoo, a towel and some patience! Bathing 2 or 3 times a year should be enough, as bathing to often may dry their skin.

Worming

The roundworm is a big threat to puppies who are likely to pick up the parasite from their mother via her bloodstream or her milk. The larval stage of the worm can lie dormant and migrate to the mammary glands when the host becomes pregnant, travelling through the mother's milk and causing the puppy to become infected. Puppies with heavy infestation of roundworms will develop pot bellies and possibly sickness or diarrhoea. Worming treatments can be administered in tablet form. Your puppy should be treated for roundworms every 2 weeks from 3 - 12 weeks and then every 4 weeks from 12 weeks - 6 months. Thereafter, we recommend your worm your puppy every 3 months throughout its adult life.

Fleas

Fleas bite and feed on a puppy's blood causing itching and irritation that can lead to medical problems. There are a number of ways you can effectively treat your puppy for fleas without resorting to the vets:-

  • Flea drops are the most effective preventative treatment. A small amount of liquid dropped onto your puppy's neck will kill all fleas on contact.
  • Flea tablets are an oral treatment that kill all fleas when they bite. They are suitable for puppies over 4 weeks.
  • Powders are effective if used frequently and worked through the coat thoroughly.
  • Sprays are effective for killing fleas but don't target ticks. Sprays are suitable for puppies over 12 weeks.

Tip - Don't forget to treat your puppy's bedding for fleas too. Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) sprays are the most effective as they kill fleas before they hatch.