Preventative healthcare for your dog

Although you can’t protect your dog from all diseases and illnesses, there are several preventative ways you can minimise the risk.

Vaccinating your dog

You can vaccinate your dog against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, para-influenza and leptospirosis, many of which can be fatal if contracted and have no specific cure.  This is especially important as it’s estimated that more than half of all dogs in the UK are not vaccinated.

Your dog can start its vaccinations from eight weeks of age.  The primary vaccination course is carried out with two injections given three weeks apart. Your dog will also need an annual booster to keep immunity levels effective – if they miss this, they will need to be given the primary course again. All vaccinations should be carried out by a vet.

Flea treatments

Fleas are highly irritating and uncomfortable for dogs. To avoid getting an infestation you should use preventative flea treatment every 4-8 weeks. It’s important to use a veterinary product as these are much more powerful and effective than products sold in supermarkets. You can find these on the internet and in some pet shops in locked cabinets, as well as in vet practices.

If you have seen fleas it is important to treat your house as well as your dog. For every five fleas on your dog there will be another 95 living in your house. Fleas will only jump onto an animal to feed and lay eggs and will then live in the carpets, bedding etc.

You should vacuum all areas your dog is allowed in, including any chairs, sofas, rugs they sit on. Wash your dogs’ bedding along with your own follow this by using a household spray, paying particular attention to nooks and crannies.

Some dogs are also highly allergic to flea bites, known as Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD), leading to skin irritations, bald patches, scabby skin or spots. This often makes the dog lick or bite at themselves, causing infection and a trip to the vets.

A severe flea infestation can also cause anaemia in puppies, and the cat flea (the most common flea found on dogs) can also spread worms. Make sure you give your dog deworming medication if fleas have been seen.

Worming treatments

There are two types of worms that can affect a dog, the tapeworm and the roundworm.

Tapeworms are made up of segments and these will be passed out of a dog’s bottom. The segments can move – you may see them wriggling in the fur around your dog’s back end, looking like small, white caterpillars. Roundworms don’t have segments and can vary in size – from threadlike types which are barely visible through to the size of a common earthworm. They are often seen in a dog’s faeces.

Some dogs may show no signs of an infestation but for those who do, symptoms include: diarrhoea, anaemia, foul breath, loss of appetite, general loss of condition, failure to gain weight and in the case of lungworm, coughing. Puppies with worms often have a distended belly.

Puppies can be born with worms as they can be passed on from the mother if she is infected. The mother can be treated while she is pregnant and puppies should be given regular treatment from 8 weeks of age – see the individual product information for the correct dosage. Adult dogs should be treated approximately every six months with a veterinary product.