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First Vaccination Checklist

Everything you need to know about vaccinating your new pet

Puppies

Vaccination

The vaccination course is made up of two injections, four weeks apart. Your puppy will be fully protected one week after their 2nd injection (ie. five weeks from today.)  
Your pet will then require booster injections yearly to keep them fully protected.
If your pet will be mixing with other dogs regularly or going to kennels, then we would also recommend kennel cough vaccination.

Worming

We recommend monthly worming until your puppy is 6 months old, then routine worming every 1-3 months for the rest of their life, dependent on lifestyle.

Flea products

There are numerous different flea products available. The best one for your pet depends on factors such as the other pets in your household, and your lifestyle. We recommend year round prevention, rather than waiting until you get an infestation, which can then be much harder to resolve.

Diet

We recommend feeding a puppy food, for the first year of your pet’s life. If your dog is expected to weigh more than 25kg as an adult, then we advise ‘large-breed’ puppy food. This prevents rapid growth which can cause skeletal problems.

Microchipping

It is a legal requirement that all dogs are microchipped by 8 weeks of age. 

Neutering

The current recommendation is that bitches can be spayed anytime after 6 months of age. There is a greater protective effect against mammary tumours if this is done before the first season. If they are spayed after a first (or subsequent) season, then the procedure must be done 3-4 months after the season. Dogs can be castrated when they start to show male behaviour (such as cocking their leg to urinate).  This age varies depending on breed and can be anything from 10 months of age.

Socalisation

Up to 18 weeks of age, everything your puppy experiences, it is more likely to accept as normal. So it is important to ensure your puppy meets lots of people, and other dogs, as well as being exposed to a variety of experiences (such as car journeys).  To help with socialisation we run ‘Puppy Parties’, a course of 4 sessions, run weekly for 4 weeks.

Pet insurance

Pet insurance allows your pet to have the best possible treatment, without the financial burden. Small regular monthly premiums are much easier to afford than unexpected large bills. There are lots of different types of pet insurance, but we recommend lifelong policies, which will cover your pet for life, not just for the duration of the policy year. If you haven’t already got insurance in place then we can arrange a free, no obligation, four week policy, which protects your pet against accidents, as it leaves our practice.

Six month puppy check

With the vaccination course you are entitled to a free check when your puppy reaches 6 months of age. As well as a full health assessment our nurses can answer any questions you may have.
 

Kittens

Vaccination

The vaccination course is made up of two injections, three weeks apart. Your kitten will be fully protected one week after their 2nd injection (ie. four weeks from today.)  
Your pet will then require booster injections yearly to keep them fully protected.

Worming

We recommend monthly worming until your kitten is 6 months old, then routine worming every 1-3 months for the rest of their life, dependent on lifestyle.

Flea products

There are numerous different flea products available. The best one for your pet depends on factors such as the other pets in your household, and your lifestyle. We recommend year round prevention, rather than waiting until you get an infestation, which can then be much harder to resolve.

Diet

We recommend feeding a kitten food, for the first year of your pet’s life. 

Microchipping

Ideally all pets should be microchipped, to help identify them if they are lost or stolen. 

Neutering

We tend to neuter cats (spay females and castrate males) from 6 months of age. However if siblings are living together we can carry out neutering slightly earlier to prevent any undesired matings.

Socalisation

Up to 18 weeks of age, everything your kitten experiences, it is more likely to accept as normal. So it is important to ensure your kitten meets lots of people, as well as being exposed to a variety of experiences to prevent nervousness later in life.  

Pet insurance

Pet insurance allows your pet to have the best possible treatment, without the financial burden. Small regular monthly premiums are much easier to afford than unexpected large bills. There are lots of different types of pet insurance, but we recommend lifelong policies, which will cover your pet for life, not just for the duration of the policy year. If you haven’t already got insurance in place then we can arrange a free, no obligation, four week policy, which protects your pet against accidents, as it leaves our practice.

Six month kitten check

With the vaccination course you are entitled to a free check when your kitten reaches 6 months of age. As well as a full health assessment our nurses can answer any questions you may have.