Heartworm - Transmitted from dog to dog via the mosquito, heartworms
are a problem in Hong Kong. Infection can be prevented by using monthly or
daily tablets given to your dog beginning at 4-6months of age. (After six
months of age your dog must take a blood test before starting on the
prevention tablets to make sure he as not already contracted heartworm).
For detailed information see our separate heartworm sheet.
Vaccinations - Against all the major viral diseases of dogs. This is very important in
guaranteeing the health of your puppy. Ideally, a first vaccination against Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus,
Leptospirosis and Parainfluenza at 2 months of
age, 3 months of age and again at 4 months of age. After the initial three vaccinations
a yearly booster is necessary to maintain continued protection for your
dog. By law, each dog must be
vaccinated against Rabies at 5-6 months of age and then every
three years it will need a booster.
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Flea and Tick
Control
This is a
large subject, which is covered in more detail in a separate section, but
there are a few very important principles which need stressing:
 Flea control
must include both the puppy and it’s environment e.g. bedding, floors, etc.
There is little effect gained by treating the puppy only.
The common
dog tapeworm is transmitted by fleas, therefore, no fleas = no tapeworms.
Ticks
transmit a dangerous blood parasite known as Babesia and can cause severe
sickness and even death. Therefore, if you live in an area where ticks are
found you must examine the dog daily and remove any ticks you might find.
Most flea
dips are dangerous to dogs under four months of age and to cats. Always read
the label instructions carefully and follow the instructions accurately.
Use a special
flea and tick preventive medication such as Frontline®
Top Spot or spray.
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Diet
and Feeding
It is
important to feed a properly balanced diet, particularly while the puppy is
growing up. Failure to do so will lead to abnormalities in the size and
shape of the body and limbs, these deformities cannot be corrected later in
life.
Feeding a
commercially prepared puppy food such as Hill’s Science Diet, Iams or
Pedigree ensures that you puppy receives a properly balanced diet. Adding
small amounts of vegetables, cooked chicken, yogurt or rice will help
enhance the flavor and prevent the diet from becoming boring. Chicken and
rice alone do not make a good diet for a dog as they are not well balanced
in minerals. After all, you do not eat just chicken and rice, you eat a
great variety of foods to make a balanced diet. Prepared dog foods make it
easy to provide a balanced diet all the time.
Frequency of
feeding is important especially in growing animals. Below is a simple chart
showing how often your puppy should be fed.
Puppies up to 12 wks - 4 meals per day
12 wks to 6 mths - 3 meals per day
6 mths to 1 yr - 2 meals per day
Adult dog - 1 meal/day + perhaps a small snack
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Allow twenty
minutes for your dog to eat each meal. Meal times should be for eating
only, avoid playing with or distracting him at this time. After twenty
minutes remove all uneaten food, especially wet food, although a small
quantify of dry biscuits can be left out between meals.
The amount of
food varies greatly with the breed and size of dog and its lifestyle. Most
good quality commercial preparations will give a guide as to how much
should be fed, however, individual animals needs do vary and you must judge
whether your puppy is too thin or always very hungry and whether he is
gaining weight adequately.
The most common fault in Hong Kong is to underfeed rather than
overfeed puppies.
Body
Care
Grooming
Proper combs are much more effective than brushes to remove dead
hair and knots. Regular grooming is essential for long haired dogs to
remove any knots before they become too large. Pay particular attention to
behind the ears and under the arms and legs, at this time it is also easy
to check for external parasites and other skin diseases. In some breeds,
such as Shih-Tsu, hair around the eyes must be kept very short to avoid
irritating the eyes and possibly causing permanent damage.
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Ears
Inspect your
dog’s ears regularly to ensure they are clean. If there is a lot of very
dark brown discharge your dog may have ear mites, if a lot of smelly, pus
like discharge occurs then a serious infection may be the cause, have your
dog checked by a veterinarian if you notice either of these symptoms.
Ear cleaning
may be done at home using a proper ear cleaner only – wipe away any waxy
discharge that you can see around the opening of the ear but do not try to
clean the ear canal with cotton buds, this can be quite dangerous to the
dog.
Teeth
Dog toothbrushes
or a soft cloth wrapped around a finger can be used to clean your dog’s
teeth, it is difficult in dogs with small mouths. Remember that puppy
teeth, which are small but very sharp, will be replaced by permanent teeth
when the dog is between 4-5 months of age. If some of the puppy teeth do
not fall out, they should be removed by your veterinary surgeon as they
will cause food particle retention and help create an unhealthy mouth.
Chewing rawhide or nylon bones help keep a healthier mouth.
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Bathing
When bathing
your pet use only a dog or puppy shampoo, human shampoos are perfumed and
unsuitable for dogs, the best shampoos are soap free. Normally bathing on a
one to two week interval is enough unless instructed otherwise by your
veterinary surgeon. Make sure that all shampoo is thoroughly rinsed out of
the dog’s coat and then dry with a towel or hair dryer. In long coated dogs
a conditioner may be used to avoid tanlges and knots.
If you are
using a flea dip after shampooing apply it while the is still wet but do
not rinse it off. Do not let your dog lick its self before it is completely
dry, again a towel or hair dryer may be used.
Owning a dog
requires some work, he or she is an extra member of your family and should
be treated as such, not as a toy or animated doll. Your dog will look to
you for guidance on how to behave and will want to please you at all times.
The relationship between you can, and should be very rewarding for both of
you. If you need any advice do not hesitate to contact your veterinary
surgeon.
We wish you the best of success
with your new dog!
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