Eden Veterinary Practice Pets

Your New Puppy
	With any new pet there are always lots of things to consider. The most common are listed below to help you. If you have any queries on these or other subjects please do not hesitate to contact us. We also offer a free pre vaccination health check for all pups.
Vaccination
We very strongly recommend vaccination of all pups. Routine vaccinations provide protection against 5 separate diseasesand these are Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza and Leptospirosis. All would be potential serious and sometimes even fatal. Puppies receive 2 vaccinations 2-4 weeks apart and we will normal start these from 8 weeks old, along with a full health check and discussion on general care. After this they will require an annual booster to keep their immunity up. In addition to these vaccines if a dog will be going into kennels we can vaccinate against kennel cough. This is a disease spread easily between dogs in close contact. There is a lot written in the press about vaccination but it is a vital part of health care. If you have any concerns please ask to speak to a vet to discuss these.
Worming
Most young pups will have a low level of worms which have been passed on from their mother. It is therefore important for your health as well as the pups that they are wormed every 2-3 weeks up until 12 weeks of age. After this they should be treated every 3-6 months with a complete wormer.
Feeding
All pups should ideally be fed on a good quality complete puppy food. However any changes in diet should be made gradually to avoid upsetting their stomach. Always ask when you pick up your pup what it has been previously fed on to allow you to do this. Puppy food should be fed until 6 to 12 months and then a junior food until 18 months. We also have different diets for dogs with more special requirements eg sensitive stomach/ large breeds.
Identichip
This small chip, the size of a grain of rice is placed under your pups skin. The chip carries a unique number corresponding to its owners details. If your pup was found, any vet, police or rescue centre would scan it immediately and be able to reunite you. We can place these chips at any age.
Insurance
This is an important consideration with all pets. With advances in medicine we are able to successfully treat more conditions than ever as well as offering referral to top specialists, however this can come at a cost. There is a vast range of insurance policies available and we can only advise on plenty of research before you select one. The length and quality of cover are very variable.
Neutering
Known as castration for males and spaying for females, we recommend this for all dogs which will not be used for breeding. Males are routinely castrated from 6 months old whilst bitches are spayed after their first season. As well as preventing unwanted litters neutering has a range of important health and behavioural benefits. These include greatly reducing the risk of certain types of cancer.
Training
This is one of the most important and enjoyable areas of puppy ownership. You can start as soon as you get your pup home with gentle handling, play and toilet training. After they are fully vaccinated going to puppy classes is a great way for you both to socialise and learn.
Finally
We would like to wish you a long and happy future with your new friend All the staff at Eden Veterinary Practice.

Eden Veterinary Practice, Cupar Trading Estate, Cupar, Fife, KY15 4SX Telephone (01334) 650888

Your New Puppy