New Puppys

Before you get your puppy we suggest you pop down to your nearest clinic to pick up some puppy food and some treats and toys to help it settle in.

The first step to take when you get a new pup is to allow a few days for it to adjust to its new surroundings and also for you to become acquainted with your new pup’s health status. After a few days, you should bring your puppy to your nearest Veterinary clinic to be checked by the Vet. At this stage you will be advised on all aspects of your puppy’s welfare and health care. This is the most important stage of your puppy’s life as the way you start your health care is the way you should plan to continue. Below are brief descriptions of the essentials that you need to be aware of when beginning with a new puppy. Further information can be found on our separate factsheets or simply asking any one of our staff, after all that is what we are here for.

1. Vaccinations: The vaccination course for puppies can start at 6 weeks of age and ends at 10-12 weeks of age with their adult shots. Puppies should not be allowed access to public areas e.g. parks until after this. Puppies are vaccinated for Parvovirus, Distemper, Leptospirosis, Hepatitis and Parainfluenza. Annual boosters are given thereafter to maintain immunity.  These are all fatal diseases and vaccination is the only effective prevention.
2. Worming: Most puppies have roundworms. The most obvious sign of this is a puppy with a potbelly. These worms are harmful to children and can cause blindness. We recommend that you treat puppies every 2 weeks until 12 weeks of age, then every month until 6 months old and thereafter every 3 months.
3. Feeding: This is a vital aspect of your puppy’s health and is important to start on a right footing from an early stage. There is a huge range on foodstuffs available both tinned and dry, of variable quality. We strongly advocate the feeding of dry foods over tinned food. The quality of the food that you choose is very important and will determine your puppy’s overall development.
4. Neutering: We recommend neutering for male and female dogs not intended for breeding. There is a lot of misinformation about neutering. This should be discussed with the vet at the time of vaccination. It is important to be fully and correctly informed as to the effects of neutering. We recommend, if you don’t intend breeding, that all bitches be neutered either before their first heat when they are six months of age. The time of first heat ranges from between 6 – 10 months. There is no evidence of temperament change, although neutered bitches (especially larger breeds) can put on weight if their diet and exercise is not properly monitored. Neutering your bitch will reduce the incidence of breast cancer to 0.5%, eliminate womb infections, false and unwanted pregnancies. Their life expectancy is also extended. Neutering male dogs reduces aggression, wandering, mounting and urine marking. The incidence of prostate problems and anal tumours is also reduced.
5. Training: One of the most important parts of owning a pet. Training starts at day 1. House training and toilet training are the first things you will train your dog. We recommend also teaching your dog some basic obedience, at least sit, stay, down and leave it! One of the most important things to teach your puppy is to come when it is called. See our training fact sheets for more information.

This blog post was contributed by Liam Moriarty MVB. For more pet care advice visit www.myvet.ie.