New Puppy Care

Vaccinations

Puppies require a series of vaccinations usually starting at 6 weeks to protect them from Parvovirus, Hepatitis, Distemper, Leptospirosis and optionally Kennel Cough. These diseases, except for Kennel cough, are sadly almost always fatal. Your puppy will also be given a health check at the same time to detect any problems.

• Puppies should be kept exclusively indoors/on your fenced section until 10-14 days after their final vaccination which is done at 10-12 weeks. Protection from diseases may not be absolute until after this time.

Worming

Puppies need to be wormed every 2 weeks from 2 weeks of age, then monthly from 3 months of age to prevent a worm burden from developing. Good worming products include Milbemax and Drontal. When they are 6 months old you can start them on the adult worming regime of every 3 months.

Flea Treatment

All year round preventative flea treatment is necessary for Northland due to the high environmental challenge. Advantage is safe to use from 6 weeks of age and Frontline Plus is safe from 8 weeks of age.

Nutrition

Puppies have a very sensitive digestive system and are prone to tummy upsets when they go to a new home, due to the stresses of weaning, leaving mum and the littermates, travel and dietary change. To help avoid diarrhoea introduce any new diet slowly over 7-10 days mixing it in with the old food. All puppies need to be fed a diet that is complete and balanced. Check what you are feeding - if it does not contain both these words ‘complete and balanced’ the diet does not contain all the nutrients and vitamins for optimal health. Puppy food should be fed until 12 months of age, however, large/giant breeds will need to be fed puppy food for longer.

Neutering

Neutering is usually done at 5-6 months of age. We recommend all dogs should be neutered (unless used for breeding purposes) which helps control the already overburdened animal population as well as preventing health problems.

Microchipping

Microchipping is now compulsory for all dogs born after 2006 except working dogs. We generally do this at the last vaccination and you receive a discount if you get the microchip implanted at the same time as another procedure. Microchipping is invaluable for identifying bored young dogs that escape while their owners are at work!!

Remember to ask for a free Hills Best Start Kit when you bring your puppy in for its first vaccination!