Worming, Vaccinating & Neutering your Puppy

Worming

Healthcare is an important part of owning a puppy. When you first pick up your puppy from the breeder ensure you ask what worming protocol and products have been used. Puppies should be wormed regularly using a veterinary approved wormer such as Panacur or Drontal. Puppies should be wormed according to the data sheet of the product but, as a guideline they should be wormed at 2weeks, 5weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks of age. They should then be wormed monthly until they are 6 months of age. After this, they should be wormed every 3-4months.

As well as worming, dogs should be deflead regularly throughout the year. A product such as Frontline is ideal. Frontline spot on can be used from 8 weeks of age as long as the puppy weighs over 2kg. If you need to treat a younger puppy then frontline spray can be used.

Vaccinations

As with worming and flea treatment, vaccinating your puppy is also very important for preventative healthcare. Your puppy may have had his first vaccination before he comes home but you should check with your veterinary surgeon what further vaccinations are needed. As a guideline, most puppies need two sets of vaccinations at 8-10 weeks of age and 10-12 weeks of age. A dog then needs yearly booster vaccinations which is also an ideal time to chat to your vet about any concerns or questions you may have.

Neutering

Neutering a dog is important if you don’t want your dog to have babies. Neutering can also help prevent healthcare problems such as uterine cancers and mammary cancers as a dog gets older.

Castration of male dogs is carried out under general anaesthetic form around 5-6 months of age. Spaying of female dogs is either carried out at 6 months of age or 2-4 months after the end of a season. Both neutering procedures are strongly recommended if you do not want to breed from your dog.

When you get your puppy home, register with a local veterinary practice and book them in for a check up a few days later. This will be an ideal time for you and your vet to discuss worming, vaccination and neutering as well as answer any other questions you may have to ensure you and your puppy’s early days together are enjoyable as well as informed.