Preventative healthcare is vital
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Most people think of their veterinary practice as somewhere to bring their pet when it is sick or injured, but the vast majority of our time is spent on PREVENTATIVE HEALTH CARE in areas such as;
- Vaccination
- Feeding
- Worming
- Flea Control
For more advice and information on pet care CLICK on a heading before checking out the surgery pictures below.
VACCINATION (click here)
Puppies begin their vaccination programme at 8 weeks and kittens at 9 weeks and they both finish at 12 weeks. Infectious diseases once killed thousands of pets each year but vaccination has been one of the greatest success stories of veterinary medicine, saving countless lives.
It is worth remembering that many of the pet diseases we vaccinate against are killers. Whereas a child with mumps will almost certainly get better, a non-vaccinated dog that contracts parvovirus can easily die. Vaccination has dramatically reduced the frequency of most of these diseases but none has been eradicated altogether and ALL of the diseases covered in routine vaccination are still present in Ireland.
With your puppies first vaccination course we also recommend a canine cough vaccination. Canine cough was formally known as Kennel cough. Canine cough is rarely life threatening, but it is an extremely contagious and a very unpleasant condition.
FEEDING
The first year of your pets' life is very important, and the food you choose to feed could have a direct effect on his or her future growth and development. At Fenaghy we recommend a high quality complete pet food to ensure your growing kitten or puppy obtains all the vitamins, minerals and nutrients they need. We have a range of puppy and kitten foods for purchase in the surgery.
WORMING
Regular worming protects more than just your puppy or kitten. Virtually all puppies are born with roundworms or become infected while nursing, as do kittens. As well as causing illness in puppies and kittens, some worms pose a threat to humans, particularly children.
Lungworm is a parasite that affects dogs. It was previously unknown in the UK but it is spreading and is considered a threat in many areas. It is carried by slugs and snails and can potentially be fatal. Young dogs up to 2 years are more susceptible to a lungworm infection, most likely due to their inquisitive nature.
To protect your new pet and your family, its essential to start regular worming early. We will assess your puppy or kittens needs and recommend the correct worming regime as it grows. Click here to visit the Worm Patrol web site.
FLEA CONTROL
Fleas are very common in cats and dogs throughout the UK; As our pets become more and more integrated into family life, we as vets are increasingly concerned about the control of these parasites, which are not only a nuisance, but can also affect human health.
Responsible owners always want the best for their pets in order to keep them fit and well. Keeping them parasite free by treating them regularly goes a long way towards protecting them and the family they live with, and at Fenaghy we can advise you on an appropriate parasite protection plan.
MICROCHIPPING
Even the best loved and well trained pet can go missing or get lost. The good news is that there is a simple way to ensure your pet can be easily identified wherever he or she goes. A microchip is implanted painlessly under the skin by a vet in the same way as a vaccination, and becomes a permanent means of identification.
If you are attending the practice for a routine check-up or vaccination, ask if your pet can be microchipped at the same time.
DENTAL CARE
Your puppy or kittens teeth may be healthy now but they will need your help all their lives to keep them that way. It is important to develop a good dental routine from day one, and to have their teeth checked regularly by the vet to identify any potential problems that may require treatment.
We recommend that you get your pet used to having their teeth cleaned at least three times a week, using a specially formulated toothpaste. Chewing on rawhide and other tough biscuits will help to keep the teeth in good condition, and we have various dental products that can also help, so ask us about this when you visit the clinic.
ADOLESCENT HEALTH CHECKS
We like to see your pet again for an ADOLESCENT HEALTH CHECK at around 6 months of age, to weigh them, examine their developing teeth, and discuss their nutritional needs at this time. We can review worming and flea control, according to your pet's lifestyle, and this is the time to talk about NEUTERING.
NEUTERING AND SPAYING
Unless you plan to breed from your kitten or puppy, spaying or neutering early in life is a responsible decision, not only by addressing the problem of unwanted animals, but also by reducing a number of health problems in the bitch, and hormone-related behaviour problems in the male cat or dog.
ANNUAL BOOSTER VACCINATIONS
The next opportunity we have to examine your healthy pet is when we see him or her for the annual booster vaccinations. These are necessary as protection will begin to decline after about 12 months. We will thoroughly examine your pet prior to vaccination as only healthy animals should be vaccinated. Routine health checks over the years often mean early detection and treatment of health problems.
If your dog is likely to be in close contact with other dogs you should consider having it vaccinated with a canine cough vaccine. Canine cough is a highly contagious distressing disease and can be contracted wherever dogs gather together. Vaccination against canine cough can be carried out along with the annual booster at a reduced price.
RABBITS
Rabbits are becoming increasingly popular as pets, and as with the puppy and kitten, we like to see them from an early age for vaccinations and nutritional advice. For information about rabbits and other small pets visit www.burgesspetcare.co.uk.