CONGRATULATIONS
ON GETTING YOUR NEW PUPPY
At PetMedics, we are here 24/7 if you have a problem with your pet, but we would prefer to keep your new puppy fit and well, and for you to enjoy many happy, healthy years together.
Here is our check list for starting out on the right road with your new pet.
8 WEEKS OF AGE OR OLDER
• Bring your new puppy into one of our three surgeries for his/her first vaccination, and worming treatment. Remember to keep your puppy in your home until they have had all of their vaccinations. Your puppy can play in your garden as long as no unvaccinated dogs have been there.
 • Now is the ideal time to begin your puppy's socialisation and training. Remember puppies learn by playing, they learn much more rapidly when you encourage their good behaviour, than when you punish their bad behaviour. This is also a good time to get them used to lots of different people.
• Now is the time to start brushing your puppy's teeth, this will help keep them healthy. Dental disease can be painful and cause nasty infections, regular teeth brushing and dental checks with a nurse will help prevent this. The nurses at PetMedics will show you how to start.
• It is time to start thinking about pet insurance. Here at PetMedics we recommend all owners take out insurance, to get you started we provide four weeks free pet insurance from Pet Plan, please ask at reception for your free cover note when your pup is vaccinated.
• This is also the time to start thinking about nutrition. There are many dog foods available and the choice can be very confusing, we recommend you feed a well known make of branded dog food which is specially formulated for the appropriate stage of your dog's life (i.e. puppyhood), this ensures that you will be providing your puppy with all the nutrients it needs to grow at an appropriate rate. We have a large choice of dog foods available in our pet shop, (based at PetMedics Wardley), along with anything else you may need for your puppy, and our pet shop staff are able to offer advice and answer any questions you have.
10 WEEKS OF AGE, OR 2 WEEKS AFTER YOUR PUPPY'S FIRST INJECTION
• Time for your puppy's second vaccination. Remember you must wait one more week before taking your puppy out to play with other dogs. Your dog will need his/her first booster vaccination in one year's time; we will send you a reminder card when this is due.
• Time for the kennel cough vaccine. Kennel cough is a common problem in dogs, and can affect animals that have never been near a kennels - it can cause a nasty cough. We recommend you vaccinate your dog every year against kennel cough, even if it isn't going into kennels.
• Time to start with regular preventative flea treatment. Unfortunately fleas are a year round nuisance, which can cause real problems for you and your pet. This is why we advise you use a regular preventative product throughout the year. At PetMedics we can advise you about the best products to use.
• When your puppy can go out and play you want to make certain you don't lose them. Microchipping provides the best chance of getting your pet back if you are ever unfortunate enough to lose them. Here at PetMedics we provide this peace of mind for under £20. |
11 WEEKS OF AGE, OR ONE WEEK AFTER YOUR PUPPY'S SECOND INJECTION
• Your puppy can now go out and play with other dogs.
12 WEEKS OF AGE
• It is time to worm your puppy again. Worms are extremely common in puppies, and can cause problems for growing puppies, as well as causing serious disease in humans, which is why we recommend regular worming with a veterinary prescribed product. Because your puppy is growing quickly we recommend you make an appointment with a nurse to check your puppy's weight, so we can ensure it receives just the right amount of wormer.
• Now is the time to think about pet insurance again. As dogs do not have the benefit of the NHS you have to pay for any treatment your pet needs - pet insurance allows you to have complete peace of mind with regards to vet's bills if your pet is ever unfortunate enough to have an accident or become seriously ill and need veterinary treatment. We strongly recommend you get your pet insured, ideally with a life long policy, (which will cover your pet for any condition for the rest of its life), there are numerous pet insurance companies available for you to choose from.
16 AND 20 WEEKS OF AGE
 • Worming time again. Please feel free to make an appointment with a nurse to check your puppy's weight, this not only ensures we prescribe just the right amount of wormer, but also that your puppy is growing properly. It also allows your puppy to get used to coming to the vet's and to being handled, (and cuddled!) by our staff.
6 MONTHS OF AGE
• Time for a free adolescent health check with one of our nurses. The nurse can check that your puppy is in the best possible health, and advise you on ongoing care for your puppy as it reaches adult hood. They can also answer any questions you may have about your pet's health and wellbeing.
• Time for worming again. Now your puppy is 6 months old we recommend worming needs to be done at least every 3 months, for life. However, if your pet is in contact with children, or has access to public or farm land we recommend it is wormed every month against roundworm, some flea treatments worm your pet along with preventing fleas, at PetMedics we can advise you about the best products to use.
• Time to think about neutering. Neutering is an important preventative care procedure for your pet. The team at PetMedics will be able to talk to you about this, and advise you on the best time to neuter your pet.
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