Getting a Puppy

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Here at Martin & Carr we understand that having a new puppy, as well as being exciting, can sometimes be confusing. We hope this information will help answer some of your question, but please feel free to ask our vets, nurses and receptionists if there is anything else you would like to know more about.

Vaccinations can start from 7 weeks, but we like you to have owned your puppy for at least 5 days before the first injection. You are welcome to come for a free of charge health and registration check before this. The basic puppy vaccination protects against Distemper, Canine Infectious Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza and Leptospirosis.

Two injections are given, at least 14 days apart
The youngest age to start the course is 7 weeks
The earliest age to finish is 10 weeks
Only healthy animals can be vaccinated
We also recommend Kennel Cough vaccination which can be done at the same time.

If your puppy has already started their vaccination with their breeder the protocol may be slightly different, please ask for advice. Full immunity is reached one week after the second vaccination. Before this time puppies should be carried when out and about and not allowed to mix with dogs of unknown vaccination status.
They can, however, mix with other fully vaccinated healthy dogs in places where other dogs do not go, for example, your garden. A booster vaccination is required every year.

It is now a legal requirement for dogs to be microchipped. This should be done before the puppy leaves its breeder. Please remember to change the database details from the breeder’s to your own. If, for any reason, your puppy hasn’t been chipped we can do this at the same time as the vaccinations. If you are having a full course of puppy vaccinations we do not make a charge for the microchip.

Even though your puppy is chipped it is still a legal requirement for them to wear a collar and identity tag in a public place.

All puppies are born with roundworm and they can also be infected from their mother’s milk. You will not always see them in the faeces. Worms can cause loss of condition, diarrhoea and a round belly and can be transmitted to children. It is vital to worm your puppy regularly from birth.

Fleas are better prevented than treated as they can breed in your house and cause an infestation.

We recommend Nexgard Spectra a tablet given as a treat once a month. This treats roundworms, fleas and ticks
Starting at about 6 months (or earlier if you walk in areas with a lot of livestock) your puppy should also have a three monthly treatment for tapeworm
As your puppy grows the strength of tablet will need to increase. If you come in for monthly weighing this gives your puppy a chance to have a fun relaxed encounter with receptionists and nurses and you can ask about anything that is worrying you

If you prefer not to use oral flea preparations please discuss this with a vet, nurse or receptionist.

We recommend a good quality complete puppy food; these do not need added supplements as they are complete. If you are planning to feed a different diet from your puppy’s breeder then it is important to make any changes gradually. Large breed puppies should be fed a diet specifically for large breeds.

In accordance with the World Small Animal Veterinary Association guidelines we do not recommend the feeding of raw meat to any pet.

Puppy parties are a great start to your puppy’s socialisation. Held in our Pershore practice, they are for puppies less than 14 weeks of age that have had at least one vaccination. They allow puppies to mix and learn that the vets is a fun place to be. Our nurses and a vet are able to give advice on raising your new puppy.

We limit the numbers at each party so booking is essential, call now!

It is important to gently introduce your puppy, without overwhelming them, to a variety of people and experiences in the first weeks of life and to continue this throughout your time together. Hopefully, you will have your dog for many years and time spent now will often reward you with a good mannered relaxed dog that will be less likely to exhibit anxious behaviour.
Aim to make encounters positive and fun (carry plenty of treats for rewarding positive behaviour)

Experiences you should arrange include:

Meeting different people a variety of ages including those that are loud or shy those wearing glasses or hats, people on bikes and people running. Supervise your puppy with children to ensure that everyone is learning the right thing.
This helps them develop confidence that they can cope without continual company. It is also a good idea to sometimes ignore your puppy and to leave him in a room alone if you are in another part of the house again for short periods at first
Trips in the car. Lots of short trips, ideally on a daily basis to teach your puppy that the car is not at all scary or too exciting.
Passing traffic, motorbikes and buses, crowds and countryside. Wrap your puppy up and carry him around so that once your puppy is fully vaccinated he is already used to the world outside.
Introduce sounds like the vacuum cleaner, washing machine and grooming clippers. If your puppy seems worried by the noises then re-introduce them at a distance and very gradually move closer
It is very important to do all these gradually at your individual puppies pace and not to frighten them. Also to remember that if they appear scared you should distract them rather than comfort them as you must avoid rewarding the anxious behaviour
Gentle handling of your puppy’s head, ears, mouth, paws and tail by all members of the family
Arrange meetings with friendly vaccinated adult dogs
Leave your puppy home alone, daily, just for a short period at first

We strongly recommend that all our clients take out Insurance Plans for their pets at the earliest opportunity. There is, unfortunately, no NHS for pets. We have a wide range of advanced diagnostics and treatments and a good insurance policy will allow you to take advantage of these, in the event of illness, without the worry of the expense.

We recommend Pet Plan, and can provide you with four weeks free cover when you first bring your puppy to see us. We have chosen to do this as we find they give out clients a good service.
You are, of course, free to choose another company or not to take out health insurance.

Before taking out a policy, please note:

Check the small print and level of cover carefully
Lifetime v Annual Policies

A lifelong policy will pay towards long-term conditions for the whole of the dog’s life.
Some policies, often called annual policies, only pay for the first 12 months of treatment towards a condition. This is handy for problems that are solved quickly, like a broken leg. But please be aware that if your dog develops a condition that requires ongoing medication (like arthritis, diabetes or skin allergies), the insurance will only cover the first 12 months of treatment. After 12 months they will refuse payments towards the condition, regardless of whether you claimed your money back or not.

Excess

This is the amount you have to pay towards claims, you have to pay one excess per condition per policy year. This excess can increase as your dog gets older.

Pre existing conditions

Insurers will not pay out for conditions that were known about before the new policy was taken out, or occurred in the first weeks of cover, for this reason it is not advisable to change insurance companies.

Third party cover

This safeguards you if your dog attacks someone or causes a road accident, and is essential as you are responsible for your dog’s actions and these claims can involve thousands of pounds. If you are not taking out health insurance, it can usually be added to your household insurance or you can buy a standalone policy.

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