Puppy Maintenance Programme
Below is the Vital Vet recommended puppy maintenance program.
Download Puppy Maintenance Programme (Adobe PDF)
DIET
- Puppies should be fed a puppy growth formula.
- Medium to Large breed puppies (>25kg as an adult) require a large breed growth formula to support the growth phase and joint development
- The Royal Canin Vetcare range is our preferential food
- Other foods that are premium quality are Hills Science Diet, Pedigree Advance, Eukanuba
- To ensure dental health, dry biscuits should make up majority of diet
- Feed 3 meals per day until 4 months of age and then 2 meals per day
- Small breed dogs – change to adult food at 12 months of age
- Medium breed dogs – change to adult food at 12 months of age
- Large breed dogs – change to adult food at 15 months of age
VACCINATIONS
- Due to recent canine parvovirus outbreaks, three vaccinations are required. 6-8 weeks , 12 weeks and 16 weeks of age
- Annual vaccinations are required to maintain immunity
- Please don’t take your puppy to public places (walking, dog parks, and dog beaches) until 7 days after their third vaccination.
DEWORMING (Intestinal worms) PROGRAMME
- It is important to protect yourself and your puppy against intestinal worms.
- Deworm your puppy every 2 weeks until 12 weeks of age, then
- Monthly until 6 months of age, then every 3 months for life.
- We recommend using a worming tablet or monthly use of Advocate.
FLEA CONTROL
It is important to treat all pets in the household.
Topicals:
Revolution – fleas, heartworm, ear mites
Advocate – fleas, heartworm, intestinal worms, ear mites
Oral:
Panoramis – fleas, heartworm, intestinal worms
Sentinel – fleas, heartworm, intestinal worms
HEARTWORM PREVENTION
- Dangerous disease transmitted by mosquitoes.
- Spot-on monthly treatments: Advocate or Revolution
- Monthly tablets/chews: Panoramis, Sentinel, Interceptor, Heartgard Plus
- Annual Proheart Injection
STERILISATION
- Recommended at 6 months of age
- Various health benefits:
Males: Eliminates risk of testicular cancer & greatly reduces risk of prostate cancer.
Females: Eliminates risk of uterine cancer and pyometra (a life
threatening infection of the uterus). It also greatly reduces chance of
mammary cancers.
- Behavioural benefits:
Reduces unwanted behaviours like mounting, inappropriate
urination & marking, territorial aggression. Also reduces the
desire to roam which results in many dogs escaping and being
hit by cars.
MICROCHIP INSERTION
- Strongly recommended for dogs of any age
- Lifetime, permanent identification if your dog is lost or stolen
- $Contact for Price – Includes implant & lifetime registration with the Animal Registry
PET INSURANCE
- Various companies with different options, check with your insurance
company for a plan suitable for your pet.
COUNCIL REGISTRATION
- Register with your local council/shire (City of Swan)
PUPPY SOCIALISATION
- Puppy preschool: 6-12 weeks of age (5 x 1 hour weekly sessions)
- Find out more on our Puppy Preschool page here.
Puppies older than 14 weeks of age – contact RSPCA Malaga for advanced puppy socialisation classes and early training
Vital Vet Animal Hospital