Vet Instructions When You Get A New Puppy/Kitten

Vaccinations:

Puppy: 6 weeks, 9 weeks, 12 weeks (then annually)
Kitten: 9 weeks, 12 weeks (then annually)

Dogs and Cats should be vaccinated against Rabies at 12 weeks and then annually according to the State Vet.

REMEMBER THERE IS NO CURE FOR RABIES. RABIES KILLS HUMANS AND ANIMALS. IF THERE IS AN OUTBREAK AND YOU CAN NOT PROVE YOUR ANIMAL HAD VACCINATIONS, THE STATE VET MAY EUTHANISE YOUR ANIMAL ON THE SPOT.

De-worming:

Every 3-4 weeks until 6 months of age, then every 3-4 months as an adult.

• Treatment according to age and weight of pup/kitten.

If your pet has worms (you may not always see it in their faeces), they may develop a slight diarrhoea after de-worming, but there should be no blood in it, the animal should not be ill/off food and the diarrhoea should pass within 12-24 hrs.

Puppies do have occasional bouts of vomiting/diarrhoea, but they should not be ill/off food, there should not be any blood in the diarrhoea/vomit and it should pass within 12-24 hrs. = remember they are like babies – dehydration kills them. Rather have them checked by the vet if you have any concerns.

Flea & Tick Treatment:

Every 4 weeks with a safe and effective treatment according to the puppy’s/kitten’s weight and age.
FrontIine Spray – Can be used on 2 day old pups/kittens
FrontIine Plus – From 8 weeks of age
Advantix (DOGS) – also repels flies – from 7 weeks of age
Revolution (CATS) – From 6 weeks of age (does not kill ticks, but does ear mites – common problem in cats)

** The difference (and often price difference) between products usually relates to the product efficacy (what percentage of flea/tick burden it will kill after treatment) and product safety margin ( how easy it is to poison/kill the animal with this product)**

If you ever change a puppy/kitten’s diet, do it gradually over a period of 5 days by phasing the one diet in and the other out (mixing). This will prevent intestinal upset. All puppies should be on a puppy diet suitable for their age, breed and size. Puppy/kitten diets have a different energy/protein and calcium formulation to make sure the growing pup/kitten has all the nutrients available for correct development and so avoiding problems as an adult.

Large breed puppies (who will be over 25 kg as adult i.e. Boerboel, German shepherd etc.) need to be on a LARGE BREED PUPPY DIET. This will control their growth so that they reach their adult weight at around 12 moths and not at 6 moths, so as to avoid strain on their immature joints. This will help prevent joint problems later in life! Many dogs are euthanised at an early age due to weak joints, especially hips – by feeding the correct diet you can try and prevent this from happening.

(Source: Cullinan Animal Hospital)