Puppy & Dog Health Care
We believe our puppies deserve the best start to set them on the road to a long, happy, healthy life.
We have an extensive health program, vaccinating regularly as our dogs are often exposed to many unknown dogs and to keep immunity high in bitches before breeding. We de-worm/de-flea monthly and feed a very high quality and scientifically balanced diet. Our pups our raised in our home with our other dogs as well. Below is a summary of our program for all puppies and a few health considerations.
Health Checks
Having a yearly checkup at time of vaccination with your veterinarian will allow for any potential health problems to be detected early, in many cases even before you as an owner are aware of any issues. Early detection of many conditions will lend to better treatment and a better outcome. Annual check ups should include checking a dogs teeth for signs of tarter or other dental issues. Your dogs teeth are like your own, and ignoring tarter build up, believing it to be normal, can lead to severe gingivitis and tooth problems that can be painful for your dog (as in humans). Please note your dogs baby teeth should be shed by approximately 6 months of age. If they are remaining beyond this your vet may need to intervene. It is also advisable to have annual blood tests run on pets older than 7 years to detect many diseases before clinical signs can be seen. The Royal College Of Veterinary Surgeons have 'Find A Vet' service to help locate a veterinarian in your area.
We believe our puppies deserve the best start to set them on the road to a long, happy, healthy life.
We have an extensive health program, vaccinating regularly as our dogs are often exposed to many unknown dogs and to keep immunity high in bitches before breeding. We de-worm/de-flea monthly and feed a very high quality and scientifically balanced diet. Our pups our raised in our home with our other dogs as well. Below is a summary of our program for all puppies and a few health considerations.
Health Checks
Having a yearly checkup at time of vaccination with your veterinarian will allow for any potential health problems to be detected early, in many cases even before you as an owner are aware of any issues. Early detection of many conditions will lend to better treatment and a better outcome. Annual check ups should include checking a dogs teeth for signs of tarter or other dental issues. Your dogs teeth are like your own, and ignoring tarter build up, believing it to be normal, can lead to severe gingivitis and tooth problems that can be painful for your dog (as in humans). Please note your dogs baby teeth should be shed by approximately 6 months of age. If they are remaining beyond this your vet may need to intervene. It is also advisable to have annual blood tests run on pets older than 7 years to detect many diseases before clinical signs can be seen. The Royal College Of Veterinary Surgeons have 'Find A Vet' service to help locate a veterinarian in your area.
Vaccination
Our puppies receive their first vaccination at 3 weeks of age for Kennel Cough. Kennel Cough is an upper respiratory infection which is highly contagious, particularly in young animals. Although some causes of this infection (Parainfluenza) is also covered in the primary vaccination course, Bordetella bronchiseptica is another important cause of this disease which should be protected against. We booster every 12 months depending on likely exposure and arrival of puppies. Onset of immunity is 3 days for Bordetella and 7 days for canine parainfluenza virus. At 6 weeks of age they receive initial vaccination against Canine Distemper Virus, Canine Parvovirus (types 2a, 2b & 2c), Canine Adenovirus (type 1 & 2), Leptospira Icterhaemmorhagiae, Canicola, emerging Bratislavia & Grippotyphosa, and Canine Parainfluenzavirus with Versican Plus DHPPi/L4. A booster is given at nine weeks of age and so your primary vaccination course is complete before you pick up your puppy. This vaccine gives proven protection despite the presence of maternal antibodies at the earliest opportunity against Distemper, Parvovirus (types 2a, 2b & 2c) & Adenovirus (type 1 & 2) at 9 weeks of age to allow for important early socialization. Immunity for Leptospirosis follows at 13 weeks of age. Leptospirosis is spread in urine of infected wild or domestic animals or contaminated soil and water (particularly after heavy rainfall). Luckily it is rare in the UK but has been reported. Because of how it is spread, careful socialisation with other dogs is pretty safe to begin as soon as you collect your puppy in controlled environments before 13 weeks of age. All of these diseases can be fatal, so early vaccination and ongoing boosters are very important.
After its first course of vaccinations, immunity for Parvovirus, Distemper & Adenovirus will last 3 years. Parainfluenza & Leptospirosis components will require annual boostering. Keep the vaccination certificates safe as you may need to show them at boarding kennels, dog-training classes or if you take your dog abroad.
Deworming
We have thorough de-worming and flea control program for our dogs. Our puppies are treated regularly during their early life. At 2, 5, & 7 weeks of age, puppies are treated for control of roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, tapeworms (Taenia spp.), and the protozoa Giardia with Panacur oral suspension. These are all important and common parasites of young puppies. Treatment should be repeated at 12 weeks of age so as to prevent egg laying by late maturing worms. At 6 weeks of age, Stronghold is administered for treatment of gastro-intestinal parasites, fleas (important in life cycle of tapeworm species), heartworm, ear mites, biting lice and sarcoptic mange. We advise continuing treatment monthly with Stronghold. Finally we treat with Drontal every six months from 6 months of age to give a complete control program for parasites including tapeworm species. Consult your veterinarian for his/her recommendations for continued protection for internal parasites, fleas and ticks and establish a plan that suits your individual needs that will continue throughout the dog’s life. Following a good de-worming schedule and keeping a clean yard (to avoid contamination of the ground with worm eggs) will help ensure a healthy pet.
Our puppies receive their first vaccination at 3 weeks of age for Kennel Cough. Kennel Cough is an upper respiratory infection which is highly contagious, particularly in young animals. Although some causes of this infection (Parainfluenza) is also covered in the primary vaccination course, Bordetella bronchiseptica is another important cause of this disease which should be protected against. We booster every 12 months depending on likely exposure and arrival of puppies. Onset of immunity is 3 days for Bordetella and 7 days for canine parainfluenza virus. At 6 weeks of age they receive initial vaccination against Canine Distemper Virus, Canine Parvovirus (types 2a, 2b & 2c), Canine Adenovirus (type 1 & 2), Leptospira Icterhaemmorhagiae, Canicola, emerging Bratislavia & Grippotyphosa, and Canine Parainfluenzavirus with Versican Plus DHPPi/L4. A booster is given at nine weeks of age and so your primary vaccination course is complete before you pick up your puppy. This vaccine gives proven protection despite the presence of maternal antibodies at the earliest opportunity against Distemper, Parvovirus (types 2a, 2b & 2c) & Adenovirus (type 1 & 2) at 9 weeks of age to allow for important early socialization. Immunity for Leptospirosis follows at 13 weeks of age. Leptospirosis is spread in urine of infected wild or domestic animals or contaminated soil and water (particularly after heavy rainfall). Luckily it is rare in the UK but has been reported. Because of how it is spread, careful socialisation with other dogs is pretty safe to begin as soon as you collect your puppy in controlled environments before 13 weeks of age. All of these diseases can be fatal, so early vaccination and ongoing boosters are very important.
After its first course of vaccinations, immunity for Parvovirus, Distemper & Adenovirus will last 3 years. Parainfluenza & Leptospirosis components will require annual boostering. Keep the vaccination certificates safe as you may need to show them at boarding kennels, dog-training classes or if you take your dog abroad.
Deworming
We have thorough de-worming and flea control program for our dogs. Our puppies are treated regularly during their early life. At 2, 5, & 7 weeks of age, puppies are treated for control of roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, tapeworms (Taenia spp.), and the protozoa Giardia with Panacur oral suspension. These are all important and common parasites of young puppies. Treatment should be repeated at 12 weeks of age so as to prevent egg laying by late maturing worms. At 6 weeks of age, Stronghold is administered for treatment of gastro-intestinal parasites, fleas (important in life cycle of tapeworm species), heartworm, ear mites, biting lice and sarcoptic mange. We advise continuing treatment monthly with Stronghold. Finally we treat with Drontal every six months from 6 months of age to give a complete control program for parasites including tapeworm species. Consult your veterinarian for his/her recommendations for continued protection for internal parasites, fleas and ticks and establish a plan that suits your individual needs that will continue throughout the dog’s life. Following a good de-worming schedule and keeping a clean yard (to avoid contamination of the ground with worm eggs) will help ensure a healthy pet.
Diet
Our puppies are fed Eukanuba Dry Puppy food, as our bitches are throughout pregnancy. A high quality puppy food like this should be maintained through the puppy’s first year of life with a gradual change to adult dog food of similar quality at that time. We feed Eukanuba Sensitive Skin dry dog food. A great deal of research has been put into these diets to provide optimal nutrition for a growing dog's needs. The amount of food needed daily of such a high quality and highly digestible diet will be small in comparison to other feeds and help maintain a healthy coat and good condition. When comparing to cheaper brands, the difference in outlay per day will be minimal. You will be rewarded in the time a bag will last, the health of your pet and clean up on the other end by purchasing a high quality food. Any change in diet should be done gradually.
When our puppies leave for their new homes they are being fed 4 feeds spaced throughout the day. At 10 weeks of age they can be reduced to 3 feeds daily until the puppy is 6 months old. Fresh clean water should be available at all times. Regular scheduled meal times will also aid in house training as the times your puppy is likely to need to go outside will be more predictable. It may be tempting to feed your puppy treats from time to time, but ensure this stays as a ‘treat’ and not a regular occurrence. If you feed treats to your puppy or dog, this should be factored into his daily feed intake to prevent an overweight pet. If used in conjunction with training, we advise using part of your dogs regular total daily kibble as rewards and feeding less at meal time. This ensures a balanced healthy diet.
Neutering
Unless you are going to breed from your dog, you will no doubt consider neutering it which we would advocate. This has both health and behaviour benefits. In bitches, spaying reduces the incidence of mammary tumours, if carried out at an early age (before first heat), and it ensures no phantom pregnancies, womb infections (pyometra), ovarian tumours or, of course, unwanted pregnancies. In male dogs, castration removes the risk of prostate problems and testicular cancer and can reduce aggressiveness and hypersexual behaviour. Discuss neutering with your veterinarian for full benefit and risks and for the best time to proceed. If you do decide to pursue breeding, we advise and ad-hear to guidelines that bitches under 20 months or over 8 years should not produce a litter, that a bitch does not produce more than one litter in a 12 month period, and that a bitch has no more than 4 litters in her lifetime.
Our puppies are fed Eukanuba Dry Puppy food, as our bitches are throughout pregnancy. A high quality puppy food like this should be maintained through the puppy’s first year of life with a gradual change to adult dog food of similar quality at that time. We feed Eukanuba Sensitive Skin dry dog food. A great deal of research has been put into these diets to provide optimal nutrition for a growing dog's needs. The amount of food needed daily of such a high quality and highly digestible diet will be small in comparison to other feeds and help maintain a healthy coat and good condition. When comparing to cheaper brands, the difference in outlay per day will be minimal. You will be rewarded in the time a bag will last, the health of your pet and clean up on the other end by purchasing a high quality food. Any change in diet should be done gradually.
When our puppies leave for their new homes they are being fed 4 feeds spaced throughout the day. At 10 weeks of age they can be reduced to 3 feeds daily until the puppy is 6 months old. Fresh clean water should be available at all times. Regular scheduled meal times will also aid in house training as the times your puppy is likely to need to go outside will be more predictable. It may be tempting to feed your puppy treats from time to time, but ensure this stays as a ‘treat’ and not a regular occurrence. If you feed treats to your puppy or dog, this should be factored into his daily feed intake to prevent an overweight pet. If used in conjunction with training, we advise using part of your dogs regular total daily kibble as rewards and feeding less at meal time. This ensures a balanced healthy diet.
Neutering
Unless you are going to breed from your dog, you will no doubt consider neutering it which we would advocate. This has both health and behaviour benefits. In bitches, spaying reduces the incidence of mammary tumours, if carried out at an early age (before first heat), and it ensures no phantom pregnancies, womb infections (pyometra), ovarian tumours or, of course, unwanted pregnancies. In male dogs, castration removes the risk of prostate problems and testicular cancer and can reduce aggressiveness and hypersexual behaviour. Discuss neutering with your veterinarian for full benefit and risks and for the best time to proceed. If you do decide to pursue breeding, we advise and ad-hear to guidelines that bitches under 20 months or over 8 years should not produce a litter, that a bitch does not produce more than one litter in a 12 month period, and that a bitch has no more than 4 litters in her lifetime.