During the COVID pandemic, many people have chosen to take on a new puppy or kitten. Owning a new pet can be a very exciting (and busy!) time for pet owners. There are some crucial health care measures that need to be taken to ensure your new fur bundle gets the best start in life.
Moving to a new home can be a stressful time for a puppy or kitten. This stress combined with their immature immune system can make them prone to illness and disease. New puppies and kittens should visit one of our hospitals to see one of our vets for a free health checkup to ensure they have the best chance of settling into their new home smoothly. Our vets will conduct a full physical examination, check for common congenital problems and discuss important health care measures to keep your new puppy or kitten healthy and happy.
Puppies and kittens need a balanced, premium quality pet food. Puppies and kittens grow and develop rapidly and have very different nutritional requirements to adults. For example, puppies and kittens require additional calcium and energy to facilitate proper growth of bones and muscles. It’s essential that you discuss the best nutritional plan for your puppy with a trained veterinary professional. Our vets will make sure your new pet receives the right nutritional advice and a free trial of premium puppy or kitten food.
Parasite control is also very important for puppies and kittens as they are more likely to be carrying gastrointestinal worms at this stage in their life. A worming tablet should be given every 2 weeks until 12 weeks of age, every month until 6 months of age and then every 3 months for life.
Heartworm prevention for dogs is even more important – the best way to prevent heartworm is with injectable medication administered by your vet, this removes the possibility of forgetting to give a dose as one missed monthly heartworm dose can result in heartworm infection. Puppies need to start this heartworm prevention medication at 12 weeks of age, they will then need a booster at 6 month of age and then need repeat injections every year at the same time as their annual vaccinations.
Tick and flea prevention is also a must. The newer oral and topical flea and tick preventatives and tick collars are highly effective and very safe even in puppies and kittens. These products prevent these parasites for extended periods. Paralysis ticks can be rapidly fatal for dogs and cats of any age, and are especially prevalent on the Northern Beaches.
Vaccinations are also imperative to prevent deadly infectious diseases. During the vaccination consultation, the veterinarian will also complete a full physical examination to ensure your puppy or kitten is healthy and fit for vaccination. Puppies and kittens need vaccinations at 6-8 weeks of age, 10-12 weeks of age and 14-16 weeks of age. After these vaccinations are completed your puppy or kitten will then be able to safely mix with older animals without the risk of acquiring these infectious diseases.
If you have a new puppy or kitten contact your local Sydney Animal Hospitals for a free health check by a Vet and a free trial of premium puppy or kitten food.
For more information contact your local Sydney Animal Hospitals on:
Newtown (02) 9519 4111
69-73 Erskineville Road Erskineville
Inner West (02) 9516 1466
1A Northumberland Ave Stanmore
Norwest (02) 8883 0411
Unit 8, 1-3 Celebration Dr Bella Vista
Kellyville (02) 8883 0533
106 Windsor Rd Kellyville
Newport (02) 9997 4609
1 Palm Rd Newport
Avalon (02) 9918 0833
710 Barrenjoey Rd Avalon Beach
As seen in the September Issue of Pittwater Life Magazine
Click here to read the full issue
Blog written by Dr. Ben Brown Director Sydney Animal Hospitals – Northern Beaches
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