What should your dog be vaccinated against?

• Parvovirus
• Distemper virus
• Adenovirus types 1 & 2
• Parainfluenza & Bordetella (canine cough)

Vaccination schedule

• 1st vaccination: 6–8 weeks
• 2nd vaccination: 10–12 weeks
• 3rd vaccination: 14–16 weeks

After the puppy course, your dog will need a yearly booster (C5) for life.

Intestinal worms can cause diarrhoea, weight loss, anaemia and poor growth, and some can be passed on to people. Many young puppies carry large worm burdens, and in severe cases worms can make a puppy so sick that it can be fatal.

How often should I worm my puppy?

• Every 2 weeks until 12 weeks of age
• Monthly until 6 months of age
• Every 3 months for life

Products we recommend

• Drontal / Paragard – a quality tablet (Paragard is flavoured) that treats roundworm, whipworm, hookworm and tapeworm.
• Nexgard Spectra – a monthly chew that prevents heartworm, fleas and ticks, and treats most intestinal worms (does not treat tapeworm).

Heartworm is spread by mosquitoes. One bite from an infected mosquito passes larvae into the bloodstream, which travel to the heart where the worms grow and mature.

Mosquitoes are found both inside and outside the home, so keeping your dog indoors doesn’t reduce the risk. Prevention is better than cure, and we recommend heartworm prevention all year round.

Most intestinal all-wormers do not protect against heartworm, so check your labels carefully.

Products we recommend

• Proheart injection – given at 12 weeks and 6 months of age, then at each adult vaccination.
• Nexgard Spectra – a monthly chew that prevents heartworm, fleas and ticks, and treats most intestinal worms (does not treat tapeworm).

Did you know the average female flea lays 50 eggs a day? And the fleas you can see on your puppy are only about 5% of those living in your home and yard.

Flea numbers can get out of control very quickly. A consistent, year-round flea control program will keep your puppy comfortable and flea-free.

Products we recommend

• Bravecto – a chew given every 3 months to prevent fleas and ticks.
• Comfortis – a monthly tablet that starts killing fleas within 30 minutes, with 100% knockdown in 4 hours.
• Nexgard – a monthly chew to prevent fleas and ticks.
• Nexgard Spectra / Comfortis Plus – as above, with added protection against heartworm and intestinal worms (except tapeworm).

Paralysis tick season is usually during the warmer months, although we do see ticks in winter too. The tick injects a toxin that causes paralysis, starting in the back legs and spreading through the whole body. Affected dogs may also have breathing difficulties, gagging or vomiting.

High-risk areas around Hervey Bay

Craignish, Dundowran, Toogoom, Burrum Heads, Booral, Sunshine Acres and Takura.

Search your pet for ticks every day and use a tick preventative as recommended.

Products we recommend

• Bravecto – a chew given every 3 months to prevent fleas and ticks.
• Nexgard – a monthly chew to prevent fleas and ticks.
• Nexgard Spectra – a monthly chew that prevents heartworm, fleas and ticks, and treats most intestinal worms (does not treat tapeworm).

Whatever your puppy’s size, getting qualified advice on feeding helps support healthy growth and a strong immune system.

A high-quality, premium dry food gives your puppy the right balance of nutrients. Its fixed formula also helps minimise diarrhoea and upset tummies.

Many budget foods use a variable formula that changes with the cost of animal protein and grains. Some contain artificial colours, and most are higher in fibre, which means lower digestibility and fewer nutrients absorbed.

We stock Hill’s Science Diet for your convenience, and we’re happy to recommend other brands available from pet shops.

Good to know

• Feed puppy food until 12 months of age.
• Puppy milk and home-cooked diets are not recommended.

Desexing helps prevent roaming, aggression and unwanted litters. It also reduces the risk of cancers of the testicles and prostate in males, and the ovaries and mammary glands in females.

There’s no need to let a female have a litter to ‘settle her down’ – this has no effect on temperament.

When should I desex my puppy?

Males and females: 5–6 months of age.

It’s the law

Desexing is now required under Fraser Coast Regional Council rules. Please talk to our team for more information.

Read the council guidelines: Fraser Coast animal registration.

Puppy Preschool is a 4-week course for puppies aged 7 to 16 weeks – the age when they learn the most. It covers most areas of general puppy care in a fun, friendly and social setting for you and your puppy.

Bookings are essential.

Helping your puppy become ‘vet friendly’

As well as Puppy Preschool, there are simple things you can do at home to reduce stress and anxiety around vet visits:

• Handling practice – get your puppy used to being examined by gently touching their paws and between their toes, lifting their lips and tail, and feeling their legs and tummy.
• Car rides – take short drives and reward your puppy so they get comfortable in the car.
• Drop in for a weigh-in and a treat – show them the clinic isn’t always about needles and thermometers!
• Stay calm – lead by example. Dogs are very intuitive.