VACCINATIONS

Dogs are vaccinated to protect against six important canine diseases. Protection against Canine Distemper, Parvovirus, Hepatitis and Para influenza virus is given as one vaccine, and in addition we offer separate vaccinations against Leptospirosis and Kennel Cough. Leptospirosis is a zoonoses and therefore can infect humans, so it is important to protect your dog from these bacteria. Kennel cough is especially recommended if you are likely to board your dog, as the disease is particularly prevalent where a large number of dogs are kept within the same air space.

When to vaccinate:

We advise that puppies receive a course of three vaccinations starting from the age of 6 weeks then a booster at 9 weeks and a final booster at 12 weeks. Vaccination for leptospirosis should be given at 9 and 12 weeks and the kennel cough vaccine should be given once at 12 weeks. Adult dogs need an annual booster for each vaccine to stay protected.

Dogs will need to have up to date vaccinations before they can be boarded at kennels.

FLEAS

Fleas are common external parasites capable of causing minor irritations to severe allergic skin reactions. While they are more prevalent in the warmer summer months, it is best to treat your dog regularly all year round. The treatment of choice for fleas is the new "spot-on" products, which are applied to the back of the neck. Seek advice from our nurses to help you to buy the most suitable brand for you and your dog. Best practice is to treat your dog monthly or two-monthly, depending on which product you use.

ENDOPARASITES (WORMS)

There are four types of worms in New Zealand dogs. They are roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms and whipworms. A contaminated dog may have no obvious symptoms, however, large infestations of worms commonly cause vomiting and diarrhoea with an overall loss of condition, and poor growth in puppies. If your pet is infected you may be able to see live worms in faeces and vomit. Worms can be spread to humans, especially children, by either ingesting eggs from your pets coat or from soil contamination.

 It is therefore important to treat your animal with wormer regularly. One dose will kill all the worms in your dog at time of treatment. We recommend treating adult dogs every 3 to 6 months. With puppies, because worm infestation is more problematic, a more aggressive approach is needed. Treat puppies every two weeks until 3 months old, then again at 4, 5 and 6 months of age, and after that treat as adult dogs.

 We now have flea treatments available that also treat your animal for worms at the same time. The product is applied (at home) on the skin once monthly and unlike worming pills will protect your dog continuously the whole month. However, these products are not effective against tapeworm, so giving one worming pill at the yearly booster vaccination is a good idea.