So you’ve taken the plunge and gone out and brought a new puppy or kitten. If your new to ownng a pet, or even if you’ve only had adults pets previously, then it might seem there is a lot to learn. To help simplify things we’ve written a summary of the things we most get asked about at our Sydney Animal Hospitals clinics. This can be used as a quick reference to the procedures that need to be done in the first six months of a puppy’s or kitten’s life.
Vaccination
Vaccinating the puppy and kitten is vital in the avoidance of many infectious diseases.
Both puppies and kittens need to be vaccinated at eight weeks, 12 weeks and 16 weeks, then annually. For some dogs, like rottweillers, who are more susceptible to some viruses, you’re vet may suggest a 20-week vaccination depending on the prevalence of the disease in the area you reside.
Puppies are vaccinated against parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis and kennel cough.
Parvovirus causes bloody vomiting and diarrhoea. It can be fatal. Distemper damages the lungs, brain and nerves. Hepatitis causes liver damage and kennel cough can cause pneumonia. This vaccination is called a C5.
Kittens are vaccinated against cat flu and enteritis. Cat flu is caused by a feline herpes virus and a calicivirus and has similar signs to human flu. The enteritis virus causes vomiting and diarrhoea. This is called an F3.
None of these viruses are transmissible to people.
Worming
There are two types of worms that affect dogs and cats:
- Intestinal worms
- Heartworm
Intestinal worms include roundworm, whipworm, tapeworm and hookworm. These are very common and nearly all puppies and kittens will develop an intestinal worm infection. The pet may appear normal or be bloated and may have diarrhoea or vomiting. Intestinal worms are transmitted by faeco-oral route. That means pups and kittens infect themselves when they touch other animal’s bottoms or faeces.
Intestinal worms are easily treated with an 'all wormer', available from your Sydney Animal Hospitals vet.
Puppies and kittens should be wormed:
every two weeks up to the age of 12 weeks
then once a month till they are six months
then three to four times a year.
Heartworm is a more serious parasite infection. Mosquitoes spread heartworm.
A mosquito bites an infected dog/cat and sucks up some blood with microscopic heartworm larva. The mosquito then bites your pet, transmitting the larva into you dog or cat. The larva then travels through the skin to the bloodstream and into the heart. As the larva travels, it grows, eventually developing to the size of a spaghetti noodle and blocking up the heart. Untreated, this will lead to serious illness and possibly death. All pets should be given heartworm prevention from the age of 12 weeks old.
For dogs, we recommend a monthly treatment till six months of age, then a nine-month injection, and then an annual injection along with a vaccination at 15 months. The heartworm prevention injection is repeated each year.
Cats can be treated monthly with either oral heartgaurd for cats, or Revolution top spot drops on the back of the neck.
If your pet is more than one month late for its heartworm treatment, then a heartworm test is recommended.
Toys
Puppies and kittens love to play with toys and chew on things. It is important they chew the right object. Don’t give a pup an object to chew similar to something you own. For instance, we know of a new pup – Merv – given an old shoe to chew. Merv thus thought all shoes were fair game and three pairs of shoes later Merv's owner was down to a pair of thongs. Rawhide chews, dentabones are excellent to chew and give the teeth a good workout.
Toilet training
Kittens
Choose a litter tray that is easy for your kitten to climb in and out of.
Consider putting two litter trays in different areas of the house (away from food and disturbance).
Clean the tray daily.
Place the kitten in the litter soon after meals or when it is showing signs of needing the toilet, then praise it immediately after.
Puppies
Take your puppy outside first thing in the morning, after meals, last thing at night and whenever it is excited.
Look for signs of when it needs to go to the toilet, e.g. sniffing, walking in circles, and going to the door.
Praise your pup when it goes to the right spot.
Remember that praise is best for any type of training. Smacking your pet or rubbing their nose in it's mess will only make your pet scared of you. This will not only affect the bond you have with you pet but also can encourage the undesirable behaviour you are trying to eliminate.
Diarrhoea
Puppies and kittens often develop diarrhoea when you first take them home. This can be due to something as simple as changes in the diet, stress or something more serious like viral infections or parasites. If the diarrhoea lasts more than 24 hours or your pet seems unwell, then you should consult your Sydney Animal Hospitals' vet immediately.
Fleas
It is important to keep your pet flea free. Fleas are not only irritating to you new pet but also the scratching and self-trauma can lead to skin diseases and allergies.
The itchiness caused by the flea comes from its saliva. Just because you don’t see a flea, it doesn’t mean your pet hasn’t been bitten. They act like mosquitoes.
We recommend either Frontline or Revolution for the treatment of fleas. It is much easier to prevent fleas than it is to treat the problem once an infestation has set in. We recommend all-year-round flea treatment.
Our Sydney Animal Hospitals staff will be happy to help you with instructions and dose rates for your new pet.
Feeding
Always feed your puppy or kitten in the same place with its own bowl with fresh clean water nearby.
Until four months, feed your puppy and kitten three to four small meals a day. Feeding them just one large meal can cause their stomach to distend and may induce vomiting or diarrhoea. From four months old, you can reduce the frequency to two to three feeds per day.
Kitten food is suitable up to around 12 months of age.
Puppy food should be fed up to six months, then change to a growth variety till 12 months, then onto adult types of food.
Puppies and kittens love the taste of cow’s milk, but unfortunately have problems with its digestion. Milk contains a sugar called lactose and most animals are lactose intolerant, leading to stomach upsets and diarrhoea.
There are now special types of puppy and kitten milk varieties available that are lactose-free and safe for your new pet. These are available in most pet shops and supermarkets.
Pet insurance
Accidents happen. Dogs run off in parks, cats get out windows, other not-so-friendly animals can enter the home. Even with the best care and intentions animals do get sick and hurt. Just like us. Unfortunately there is no tax payer-funded medical scheme for animals. So when a pet needs veterinary assistance, it comes from your pocket. That’s why pet insurance is such a great idea. Pet insurance works like private health cover, except it covers much more.
Often when your pet is ill or has been in an accident, it comes at a time where finances are a bit tight. Pet insurance gives choice. It allows you to have the freedom of treating your pet to the level you desire. Many companies offer pet insurance. Ask your vet to recommend one. Beware of insurance companies offering pet insurance with you house policy. If you make a claim it may send up your house insurance rates. It is better to keep them separate.
Puppy School
What you teach your pup in the first few months will lay the foundations for their behaviour for life. That’s why puppy school is such a great idea. Puppy school teaches you how to teach your pet. It helps define the nature of the relationship you develop with your pet. Puppy school is often the first time your new pup integrates with other dogs. It gives them socialisation skills. Puppy school is an excellent teaching facility for both the dog and the owner. It only takes one night a week for four to six weeks and you're both well on the way to being trained.
It seems as there is a lot to remember, especially in the first six months, but we can assure you, it’s worth every minute.
Regards
Dr Angela Phillips
BVSc, MVS, MACVSc
Inner West veterinary hospital