Your puppy's best start in life
If you are, or are about to be, the proud mum or dad of a new puppy, congratulations! To help you on your rewarding life journey with your pet, here is some basic advice on nutrition, vaccination, worms and fleas.
Nutrition
Proper feeding of a growing puppy is essential for optimum development and will give the best start to a long and healthy life. Consistently feeding the wrong food can cause nutritional imbalances which can lead to disease. A young animal's nutritional needs are very different from an adult's and must be met by the small amount of food that a small stomach can hold. The ideal puppy food should be complete and balanced, which means it should contain all essential nutrients in the correct ratio. To allow for the huge growth during the puppy stage, the food should also be energy-dense, easily absorbed and utilised. Always use a puppy-specific food, and ensure the food matches breed size (small, medium or large).
Before you collect your new bundle, purchase the food the breeder has been using. This is because young puppies have very sensitive tummies and a sudden change of diet can cause diarrhoea, which can lead to dehydration, a very serious condition in young animals. If you do want to change the diet, do so over 7 to 10 days, gradually reducing the old food and increasing the new one.
Vaccinations
There are many diseases that can be fatal to puppies. Fortunately, we have the ability to prevent many of these by the use of very effective vaccines. In order to be effective, these vaccines must be given as a series of at least two injections, three to four weeks apart, with the last vaccine given at 10 weeks of age or greater. Puppies can be vaccinated from 6 weeks of age.
Worms
Most puppies become infected with worms before they are born or later through their mother's milk. We recommend that puppies should be wormed from 2 weeks of age, every 2 weeks until 12 weeks old, then every month until 6 months old, then every 3 months thereafter. In puppies under 12 weeks old, always ensure worming tablets kill hookworm, roundworm and whipworm. After 12 weeks of age, tablets should also kill tapeworm. kittens.
Fleas
However cold it is outside, the temperature and humidity inside your house are ideal for supporting an entire population of fleas. With female fleas laying up to 50 eggs a day which fall off your pet into areas of your home or kennel, flea infestations can happen within a few weeks, often year-round. There are many products on the market which kill fleas, but you should always ensure they are safe for the age of your kitten. At Totally Vets, all our products are safe to use from 8 weeks of age, with some safe from just 2 weeks of age. The best way to prevent fleas in puppies up to weaning is to deflea their mother at regular intervals. However, in the case of infestations in very young puppies, consult your vet as soon as possible as these can be fatal. The key to eradicating fleas after weaning is to apply products regularly as indicated, and year-round. Flea bites can cause allergies, which in turn can be the start of a life of skin problems and vet visits. By ensuring your pet is treated regularly, your home and pet will be flea-free.
For further information on puppy nutrition, vaccination, worms and fleas, please see our friendly reception team who will be delighted to give you advice and help you choose the best products for your new pet.
