Puppy information
A new puppy is an exciting event but one with great responsibility. This leaflet aims to
give you advice on how to protect your puppy from disease and ensure your puppy goes
on to grow into a healthy adult dog.
We wish you the best of luck with your new puppy and hope that you have many happy
and healthy years together. We are always on hand to help with any queries you may
have so please feel free to ask any of the Swanbridge Veterinary Group staff if you require
any additional information. We have a website www.swanbridgevets.com that contains
useful information, opening times and contact details if you ever need to speak to us.
VACCINATIONS
It is important to vaccinate your puppy to prevent diseases caused by harmful and potentially fatal
infections such as Parvovirus. The first vaccination can be given from seven weeks of age with a second
vaccination three weeks later. Your puppy should not mix with any unvaccinated dogs or go out on
walks until a week after the second vaccination. The primary vaccination course should then be followed
by a yearly booster to maintain your puppy’s immunity and enable a full annual health check to be
carried out.
We also advise vaccinating your puppy against Kennel Cough, which is a potentially serious respiratory
tract infection. It can be caught from other dogs when out and about, not just in kennels. This can be
done at the second vaccination and then repeated yearly.
PARASITE CONTROL – WORMS, FLEAS AND TICKS
Puppies can become infected with worms from their mother and from their environment. To help keep
them worm free, we recommend worming monthly until they are six months and then every three
months as an adult dog. Depending on your puppy’s age and size we will recommend a suitable wormer
for you to administer. Not only will this keep your puppy healthy, but it will also help prevent you
catching worms from your puppy too.
Fleas and ticks are common parasites that your puppy can catch. We advise the use of a monthly
spot-on treatment that will help prevent infestations on both your puppy and in your home. We use
only the most effective veterinary spot-on treatments unlike some less effective brands that can be
purchased from the high street.
FEEDING
We advise you feed your puppy a complete puppy food. Your puppy should be fed 3-4 times daily and
should always have fresh water available. By feeding a good quality puppy food you will help your puppy
to grow at the correct rate and have a healthy immune system. We supply a range of different puppy
foods for different ages and sizes, please feel free to ask your vet about these.
NEUTERING
We recommend you get your puppy neutered at six months of age. By neutering you will help reduce
the chance of your female dog developing mammary cancer in later life and prevent womb infections.
Your female dog does not need to have a season before being neutered. Male dogs that are neutered
are less likely to have prostatic problems in later life, will not develop testicular cancer and are less likely
to roam.
SOCIALISATION AND TRAINING
Between the ages of 6-16 weeks your puppy will be going through the ‘socialisation’ period. This is a
time when your puppy is learning whether people, objects (cars, hoovers etc.) and different
environments (home, the park, the vets etc.) are good or bad. It is important to expose your puppy to
lots of different things during the socialisation phase in a fun and positive way to prevent fear and
anxiety in later-life. We run ‘puppy parties’ to help your puppy socialise in a safe environment and also
advise you consider a course of puppy classes to continue with their training.
MICROCHIPPING
We recommend you get your puppy microchipped. The microchip enables your puppy to be reunited
with you if lost and it will be a legal requirement to have all dogs microchipped from April 2016.
INSURANCE
We strongly advise you take out pet insurance for your puppy. We hope that your puppy remains
healthy throughout his/her life but in the evident of illness, the cost of veterinary care can be high.
There are many advanced procedures such as MRIs and complex surgeries that can be life-saving and by
taking out insurance you can ensure your puppy always gets the best possible care and treatment. We
offer four weeks free insurance with Pet Plan, please feel free to ask your vet about this.
The Swanbridge Veterinary Group, Tranby Lane, Swanland, HU143NG.
Tel: 01482633888, Fax: 01482 634576, Email: info@swanbrigevets.com