Vaccination

Dogs should be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and kennel cough. We recommend vaccinating pups at 6-8 weeks, a second vaccination at 12-14 weeks and a third at 16-18 weeks of age. For adult dogs we have a vaccination that provides 3 years protection against parvovirus, distemper and hepatitis. Annual Kennel cough Vaccinations are still required.

Worming

Regular worming with an all-wormer is required to remove intestinal worms. Pups should be wormed every fortnight from 2 weeks of age until 12 weeks of age. They should then be wormed at 4 months of age. All dogs over 4 months of age should be wormed every 3-4 months. Please note that all-wormers do not protect your dog against heartworm.

Heartworm

Heartworm disease is caused by large worms that live in the blood vessels of the lungs and heart of infected dogs. The disease is spread by mosquito bites and mostly occurs in areas of Australia where there are many mosquitoes, and many dogs. To the best of my knowledge, it has never been diagnosed in a dog that has only lived in this area of Australia, although the situation may change as time goes by. Heartworm disease is better prevented than treated but dogs should be tested for the presence of worms before starting heartworm prevention if they are more than six months old. We currently recommend that heartworm prevention is not needed in dogs that live entirely in the Casterton area, but it should be considered for dogs from Casterton which travel.

Desexing

The desexing of both male and female dogs will not only prevent the birth of unwanted pups but will also reduce the risk of many diseases in later life. Males and females should be desexed at 6 months of age.

Microchipping

Microchipping is a permanent form of non-removable identification.  By law, all dogs in Victoria must be microchipped. A tiny microchip that is encoded with a unique number is injected under your dog’s skin. This chip can be easily scanned if your dog is lost and it is surrendered to an animal shelter or veterinary clinic. The chip will identify you as the owner and you will be contacted.

Diet

Your dog should be fed a complete and balanced diet. Meat alone is not a balanced diet. Good quality commercial dog foods are nutritionally balanced. If you wish to prepare home cooked meals for your dog, please speak to one of our staff members for additional advice. Raw meaty bones once or twice a week will help keep your dog’s teeth and gums healthy. Raw bones are less likely to splinter and cause problems than cooked bones.

Insurance

Pet insurance can help ensure your pet receives the best possible medical attention with minimal personal financial input in the event of accident or sudden illness. We strongly recommend pet insurance and there are a number of reputable companies providing pet insurance.

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