PUPPY INFO
New Puppy Information
Puppy Vaccinations
These are usually given at 8 weeks, 12 weeks and 16 weeks of age and protect your puppy against Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, ParaInfluenza, Bordetella Bronchiseptica and Leptospirosis.
Flea and tick control
Paralysis ticks (Ixodex Holocyclus) on the eastern seaboard of Australia remain a risk to our dogs and cats. This is particularly so in Spring and Summer. Whilst the Inner West of Sydney remains relatively paralysis tick free we strongly advise for all our patients to be on tick preventatives. We recommend Bravecto as a tick preventative. This medication comes in an oral as well as a topical form. From December 2023 this will also be available as an annual injection.
Fleas can be found in indoor and outdoor environments and feed on our pets (and sometimes us). They then return to the environment to lay up to 40-50 eggs per day.As fleas bite to feed they can also cause a lot of itching and, in some cases, severe skin allergies.To protect your puppy (and your house) flea prevention can be used to kill fleas before they have a chance to lay eggs.
There are several brands of flea control available, some which are more effective than others. Again, we recommend Bravecto for flea control.. This medication comes in an oral as well as a topical form. From December 2023 this will also be available as an annual injection.
Heartworm prevention
Puppies are treated at 2-3 months, 6 months and then at the same time their annual vaccinations with a proheart injection.
Worming your puppy
Puppies should be given worm treatment once every 2 weeks from birth to 12 weeks of age; then monthly until they are 6 months old and then every 3 months for life.
Worming treatment can be bought from many sources. However, you need to ensure the worming treatment you get for your puppy protects against all worms. We recommend Milpro for intestinal worming.
Feeding your puppy
There are many diets available for puppies from home cooked preparations to commercially prepared diets.
WIth commercial diets you can choose between wet food (tinned or pouched food) or dry food (biscuits).
Early in life puppies need to eat often. They need enough food to help with growth but have limited space in their stomachs so manage best with small meals fed often.
At Enfield vets we recommend feeding 4 equal meals daily until 3 months of age, then 3 meals daily until 6 months of age.
At 6 months of age your pup can be fed twice daily which can be continued for life.
The amount you need to feed depends on your pup’s breed and age as well as the food you feed.
Please always ensure your puppy has access to a supply of fresh water.
Microchipping and Registering your puppy
Having chosen your new puppy, the last thing you want to do is to lose him or her! Puppies are inquisitive and can wander if they get out: unfortunately, they can also get lost on their adventures. Microchipping is the ideal way to identify your puppy and register him or her as yours. It is also a legal requirement in NSW.
Unlike collars the microchip is a permanent implant which sits under their skin.
If a puppy is scanned (by a dog warden or vet) and a microchip is found your puppy can quickly be identified and safely returned to you.
For more information about about both microchipping and registration follow the link:
Desexing
Unless you are planning to breed from your puppy we encourage you to have them neutered.
There are a number of health benefits to pet neutering which are explained in detail on our Pet desexing page.
New Dog insurance
Keeping your puppy healthy is your priority (and ours)!
However, accidents can happen, and puppies can become unwell.
Insuring your puppy for accident and illness means you can have peace of mind that, if you need to take your puppy to the vet, you do not have to worry about the cost of their treatment.
Choosing the right insurance is very important. Please see the link below for the pros and cons of pet insurance:
httpss://www.choice.com.au/money/insurance/pet/articles/six-things-you-need-to-know-about-pet-insurance
Training your puppy
From toilet training to teaching your puppy to ‘roll over and play dead’ there are lots of things puppies can learn!
Training your puppy is also a great way to develop your close relationship.
It will help your puppy feel confident and safe and give you increased enjoyment over the years as you share your dog’s life – a disobedient dog is no fun!
Puppy classes are an ideal introduction to training. Please ask our nurses for some recommendations.
Grooming your puppy
Looking after your puppies coat and skin helps keep him or her healthy.
Starting grooming when they are young will help them to accept this and many even enjoy their grooming! For puppies that will need regular grooming we recommend you get them used to their face and feet being touched everyday. You can get them used to having scissors and clippers near their face by exposing them to these daily when they are young (without using them!).
What your puppy needs will depend on their breed and coat type.
Our nurses will give you full advice, just ask!
For those pups who need a professional groomer there are several to choose from; again, just ask our reception team for recommendations.
When can I take my puppy out for a walk?
Your puppy is safe to go out for a walk 14 days after their second dog vaccinations.
However, your puppy can go outside to an enclosed garden that other dogs do not have access to before they have their dog vaccinations.
Puppies must be at least 10 weeks old to have their second vaccination and this is given between 2-4 weeks after their first vaccination.
Visit our pet vaccinations page for more information and answers to frequently asked questions.
What about treats for my puppy?
In general, your puppy doesn’t need treats as long as you feed a good diet. However, giving your puppy treats can be a great way to help with training. To prevent overfeeding, consider using the biscuits from their dry food quota for the day as the training reward. Your puppy will be just as happy!
Can I give bones to my puppy?
Your puppy has baby teeth just like children and feeding bones is not recommended. Whilst feeding raw bones to adult dogs can help maintain a healthy mouth, they can also cause severe wear and tear on their teeth. Bones can sometimes splinter and, if swallowed, can cause your pet harm. If you’re going to use bones, never feed cooked bones, only raw ones.
Tooth brushing is by far a better way to keep your dog’s mouth healthy. Introducing your puppy to daily brushing will help get them used to having their teeth brushed- which we would recommend (as a dentist does for us!).