The Veterinary Health Centre Ltd
4 Greenways, Lytham, St Annes, Lancashire, FY8 3LY United Kingdom
Tel: 01253 729 309

Info Pack - Dogs

Your New Puppy

Puppies start to loose their teeth around 14-16 weeks. This starts with the front incisors. Dogs have 42 teeth. There is an incredible range in the bite power between dogs, ranging from 120lb to 1500lb per square inch - so watch out!

Around six months all 42 teeth should have broken through the gum and by 9 months will be fully grown.

1 in 4 dogs are allergic to fleas so it is highly likely that your dog will scratch with fleas. Fleas carry tapeworm. Use flea a flea protection recommended by your vet regularly to prevent infestations.

Puppies should not go out for walks until 1 week after the end of vaccinations. This is because the puppies immunity is not complete until then. It takes 2 weeks for the body to react to the first vaccine and 1 the second time. It is, however safer to go for your puppy to play in your garden, so long as it is well fenced. Your puppy can also play with other dogs as long as their vaccines are up to date.

• There is now a rabies vaccine available for both dogs and cats allowing then to travel abroad.
  
• It is currently illegal for anyone other than a veterinary surgeon to dock tails.
  
• All pets where available should have some kind of health insurance.

Spaying Your Bitch

Bitches will come into season around 6 to 12 months depending on the size of the dog. Giant dogs tend to be later. Normally bitches all have 1 to 2 seasons pre year. Seasons last 3 weeks and the bitch will spontaneously release a large number of eggs. Mating is best on the second day that they accept or stand for the male (normally day 15).

Bitches are spayed at 6 months, preferably before the first season. Some vets prefer after the 1st due to outdated thoughts that spaying before puberty can result in micro vulva (or small vulva [lascae])

Spaying before the second season almost completely reduces the risks of mammary tumors. After the second season there is little benefit.

Advantages of spaying

Reduced risk of mammary tumors.
Fewer unwanted pups.
No bleeding.
No uninvited Romeo at your door.
Reduced risk of infected womb (pyometa).

Disadvantages

It is possible that your bitch may need medication for urinary incontinence.
Some dogs such as cocker spaniels and setters develop a 'fluffy coat'. It loses it's sheen.

Castrating Your Dog

Dogs should be castrated around 6 months. Puberty does not happen over night. Sexual behaviour may occur as early as 8 weeks. At this stage it is often part of dominance behaviour.

Remember that many of the so called behaviour problems seen are actually unwanted dog behaviuor. It is absolutely normal for the dog! Castration reduces sexual drive, urine making, running away (when sexually orientated), and male to male aggression.

Castration also removes the risk of testicular cancer and prostatic problems. A testicle or testicles that have not descended into the scrotum should be removed. Mainly because they are 13 times more likely to develop a testicular tumour and also it is suspected that there is maybe hereditary link. The male could pass this onto their male puppies.

Come and discuss any behaviour problems e.g. wrecking the house or barking in the car with our nurses - free when you are a registered client.

Feeding Your Dog

4 times a day until 12 weeks.
3 times a day until 6 months.
2 for ever!

The stomach empties in 90 minutes. 22½ hours is a long time to be hungry!

It is a good idea to clean you pets teeth from babyhood - ask our nurses for a free demonstration.

Puppy parties are run at the surgery. Get a chance to look around, let the puppies play, enjoy cold refreshments whilst you have an informal chat with the nurses. The puppy parties are a good way to get your puppy used to people and socialised. The single biggest reason for euthanasia in young dogs is unwanted social behaviour. Make sure you don't leave it too late.

Older Dogs

We have many drugs to help your dog through his senior years. Senility is now a recognised problem in old dogs. Vitamins help to improve the blood supply to the brain and selgin can help alter behavioural problems.

Never add any calcium supplements to your dogs diet unless recommended by your vet. Most commercial puppy foods are very well balanced.

Puppy Vaccinations

Protects your dog against:

- Parvo
- Distemper
- Leptospirosis (icterohaemonhagica and camicola)
- Hepatitis
- Para Influenza
-Adev Virus

There is a kennel cough vaccine, given up the nose available from 12 weeks. Vaccines give protection for 6-10 months.

Puppy vaccinations are done at 8 and 12 weeks.

The Veterinary Health Centre Ltd
4 Greenways, Lytham, St Annes, Lancashire, FY8 3LY United Kingdom
Tel: 01253 729 309
Company Reg. Number 5507480 Incorporated in England. VAT number 636464523