Although you may think caring for a dog is expensive, the cost of not caring may be a lot worse…  Caring for your canine friend is very easy, once you know what you need to do…    The first year is the most important in terms of health care, as puppies haven’t yet developed a strong immune system and are actively growing.

                     ALWAYS REMEMBER, PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE

 

 VACCINATION

Vaccinating your pet against the common diseases/viruses  such as ‘parvo virus’, will  save you money in the long term by preventing the disease.

To ensure adequate protection against parvo virus it is important to commence a vaccination program from as early as 6 weeks of age and carry through with the program until it has finished at 14-16 weeks of age.  The puppy course consists of 3 injections 3-4 weeks apart.  In high risk areas, such as Emerald and the Central Highlands, a 3rd booster at 14 -16 weeks is highly recommended

The standard (core) vaccination that is recommended at Gray St Veterinary Clinic is called a ‘C4’ in dogs.  This vaccine prevents against

• Canine Hepatitis (Viral Liver disease)
• Canine Distemper Virus  (Viral Brain disease)
• Parvovirus (Viral Vomiting and Diarrhoeal disease)
• Parainfluenza Virus (Viral Influenza – not Kennel Cough)

You also have the option of vaccinating against other diseases such as Kennel Cough, Tetanus and Leptospirosis.

Kennel Cough is a  highly infectious respiratory virus, transmitted between unvaccinated dogs within close contact (typically within kennels – hence the name).  A  ‘C5’ vaccination prevents against the core diseases mentioned above, as well as ‘Bordetella Brochiseptica’ (the causal agent of Kennel cough).   This vaccination is not a requirement unless you intend to place your dog in boarding kennels,  however be aware roaming dogs with Kennel Cough may still transmit the virus to your unvaccinated dog that is within its yard if it comes in contact with the infected dog.

Tetanus is caused by Clostridia tetani, a bacteria that causes muscle contraction resulting in general stiffness of the entire body.  Dogs can get tetanus from an infected wound caused by a penetrating metal or wooden object, pig wound or dog fight.   Properties that have had cases of tetanus in cattle or horses are at greater risk and all animals should be vaccinated for Tetanus including dogs and cats if there has been a previous outbreak.

Leptospriosis and Coronavirus vaccine is also available for dogs. Lepto is spread by rodents and areas with lots of water laying around, dogs at higher risk of getting Lepto are dogs that run in and around cane farms, banana farms, and headlands of cotton farms.

Food for thought…..

The money spent on vaccinating your pup/dog is only 1/12th of the money spent treating a sick dog with Parvo….if they survive….

 

HEARTWORM

The first thing to understand about heartworm is that it is very different to all the other intestinal worms.  Heartworm is transmitted by mosquitoes, as tiny worm larva