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Things you need to know

All the guidance and information you need on infestation, neutering and preventing disease for your pet

Fleas

Adult fleas survive by feeding on your pet's blood. This can cause irritation and scratching but can also be the cause of more significant health problems such as allergic skin disease.

  • Fleas can be responsible for passing tapeworms to dogs and cats
  • Flea bites may also affect your family
  • Fleas breed rapidly in warm, carpeted homes - it is important therefore to treat your home and not just your pet
  • If you have more than one dog or there are cats in the household, it is necessary to treat them all at the same time as you treat your home

Worms

  • Roundworms (including Toxocara canis) and tapeworms are intestinal parasites and can be found in any dog at any age
  • In young animals, worms may cause sickness and diarrhoea, but adult dogs may show no sign of infection
  • Worming is easy, effective and relatively cheap
  • Adult dogs should be wormed routinely 2 - 4 times a year
  • Worm all dogs and cats in the household at the same time using a product purchased from your vet
  • Pregnant bitches and puppies should be wormed more frequently
  • Consult your vet before treating young or pregnant animals

You are not at risk from Toxocara canis eggs in freshly deposited faeces. The eggs only become infective after approximately three weeks. Therefore worming and cleaning up after your pet helps to reduce the risks of toxocara infection.

Ask your veterinary surgeon for further advice and available products.

It is important to treat your pets for both fleas and worms.

Neutering

Unless you have definitely decided to breed from your pet, it is better to have it neutered.

The operations are routine and may reduce the possibility of certain health problems in later life.

Male dogs may be less aggressive after neutering and get into fewer fights. Neutering may also reduce the male dogs' urge to stray.

Bitches come into season on average twice a year. During this time she will have a discharge which may be messy in the home. She will also attract many male dogs to your house and garden.

Neutering can be carried out at any age, after maturity.

Ask your veterinary surgeon for further advice on neutering your pet.

Preventable diseases

Like you, your pet can catch many diseases and infections.

Some of these diseases may be life threatening, difficult to cure and expensive to treat.

Many diseases can be prevented by annual vaccination. These include:

Dogs

  • Distemper
  • Parvovirus
  • Leptospirosis
  • Hepatitis

Cats

  • Cat Flu
  • Feline Leukaemia
  • Feline Enteritis

Every pet should be protected against these diseases.

Your dog or cat will not be boarded at a kennel or cattery unless you have proof that they have the required vaccinations.

Puppies or kittens usually start a vaccination course at the age of eight weeks of age. They should not be allowed out or mix with other pets until they are fully vaccinated.