Dog Advice

At Wellpets, we highly recommend providing the best protection for your pet by means of regular vaccination against serious diseases.

Your pet will also receive a full and thorough health check with your vet before any booster or primary vaccination is given too - this is all part of the service. It is essential to make sure your pet is in tip-top condition to have their injection, and it is a perfect opportunity to discuss any other issues like parasite control, diet, or any concerns you may have.

It is important to ensure you follow advice about when your pet is due a booster vaccination. Extensive research has been carried out to show how long immunity from vaccines lasts - if your pet is overdue then they are not protected and may need to have a restart course. Your vet will be able to advise you on this. 
 
Dogs are vaccinated against:

• Parvovirus
• Leptospirosis
• Distemper
• Infectious Hepatitis

These are serious, potentially life-threatening conditions that still exist today but are thankfully less common than they used to be - because of responsible vaccination.
 
Puppy vaccinations:

Puppies have 3 vaccinations, usually at 8, 10 and 12 weeks. They must not be down on the ground outside/in public areas/exposed to unvaccinated dogs until 7 days after the 2nd vaccination.
 
Booster vaccinations:

Some insurance companies insist upon this too. We are using the most up-to-date vaccines with added cover against certain strains of Leptospirosis. If your dog is new to this vaccine, they will need a second dose 4 weeks later, which is free of charge to you.
 
Kennel Cough vaccination:

Another vaccination that is well worth considering is for Kennel Cough. Despite its name, Kennel Cough is a highly infectious cough that can be picked up anywhere (it can be airborne or picked up from plants/grass/objects where another infected dog has been).
 
The Kennel Cough vaccination is annual. Most kennels/Doggy Day Care centres insist on dogs having been vaccinated against it, and usually at least 1 week before their stay (check with the kennels you use to be sure of their rules).

Vaccinations are included in The Pet Health Club, just one of the many benefits The Pet Health Club scheme offers.

Flea Treatment for Dogs:

Fleas are the most common parasites caught by dogs. They are small, wingless insects, with back legs that are modified for jumping. Fleas cause itching, they also transmit worms, and will bite humans. The majority of a flea’s life cycle (approx. 95%) occurs off the animal – in your home and environment. Adult fleas feed on your pet’s blood and lay thousands of microscopic eggs each which fall off into the environment. It is important to understand the flea life cycle when choosing a flea product, to ensure it's targeted at treating both the pet and the environmental load.

You can help protect your dog from fleas with correct advice and treatment. We generally do not recommend non-prescription products as they are not effective. Speak to our friendly vets and nurses who can advise and provide you with safe, effective flea prevention and treatments for your dog!

Worming Treatment for Dogs:

As a caring pet owner, you will know that worms come with the territory. Pets can be suffering with worms without showing any obvious symptoms, so worming your pet is important. Worms carried by cats and dogs can pose a health risk, not just to the pet in question, but to other animals, and to humans.

Worms sound unpleasant because they are. They are parasites that live in intestines, affecting how your dog digests its food.

Tick Treatment for Dogs:

Ticks are small, spider-like arachnid parasites that feed on your pet’s blood and can cause a lot of discomfort and more serious health problems if left untreated. If you find a tick on your pet, please book an appointment so our trained veterinary staff can remove the tick with the safest agents available.

You can spread the cost of your parasite treatment across the year with The Pet Health Club.

Here at Wellpets, we recommend neutering for dogs. Dogs can be neutered from around 5-6 months of age, depending on gender.

There are many benefits of neutering which include:

• Preventing unwanted pregnancies
• Reduction of unwanted sexual behaviour
• For males it can reduce the risk of testicular cancer and prostate disease
• Reduces the risk of mammary gland tumours, ovarian and uterine cancer
• Eliminates the risk of pyometra, which can be a life-threatening infection of the womb and is common in older female dogs that haven’t been spayed.

For more information about neutering, please contact us.

Pet Health Club members will also receive 20% off when their pet is neutered at Wellpets.

It is now a legal requirement for dogs to be microchipped.

Microchipping has become a very popular and safe way to identify pets - and owners - if they get lost. Microchipping involves placing a small electronic chip, the size and shape of a grain of rice, under the skin in the neck area.

If lost pets are found and taken to any veterinary practice or animal charity they will be able to scan your pet for the chip and contact you, reuniting you with your beloved pet.

Microchipping is included in The Pet Health Club.

Dental disease in dogs is very common, affecting a staggering 1 in 3 dogs, over the age of 3 years old.

Without adequate dental hygiene, dogs' teeth will develop dental plaque, formed from bacteria. If left, plaque can form tartar. The acid created by the bacteria in plaque severely damages the surface of the teeth and irritates the gums; leading to inflammation of the gums, damage to the tissues around the teeth and, potentially, tooth loss.

Signs of dental disease can include: 

• Bad breath
• Red or bleeding gums
• Dribbling
• Difficulty eating or reduced appetite
• Weight loss
• Pawing or rubbing at the face

Looking after your dog’s teeth is just as important as looking after your own. It is an important part of maintaining their overall health. Dental issues often go unrecognised but the pain they cause may have serious effects to your dog’s behaviour and general health.
Like most things, prevention of dental disease is much better than cure. Brushing should be introduced as young as possible. 

At Wellpets, we can provide special toothbrushes exclusively for dogs, and meat or poultry flavoured toothpaste! You can make an appointment for a dental check with one of our nurses or vets who can demonstrate how to brush your dog’s teeth, advise you on the best products and provide you with the correct diet to help maintain good dental health.

Additionally, we are fully equipped for any dental problem your dog may be suffering with. Our operating theatres contain compressed air dental machinery and manual dental equipment to enable efficient cleaning and removal of any damaged teeth.

If you a member of The Pet Health Club, you will also receive 10% off any dental treatment received. 

Animals have various nutritional requirements depending on their age, breed and health status. Decisions regarding your pet’s nutrition should not be made without first consulting a vet. Senior animals have significantly different requirements to young puppies or kittens. Animals with diabetes or kidney disease also have different requirements. 

One of our fully trained Wellpets vets will be able to make informed decisions regarding your pet’s diet.