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Advice on getting a new puppy |
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 Dear Fintan
We have two children under 10 years of age and have been thinking about getting a dog for a long time now. However we have never owned a pet and wonder if getting a new puppy is a good idea as a first pet. Any advice would be appreciated!
Catherine
Dear Catherine
There are huge benefits to pet ownership not just from a child’s point of view but for the parents also. Owning a dog will provide you with a buddy who will be faithful and loyal to you everyday, become a best friend and an integral part of family life. He will give your child a sense of responsibility in caring for the pet and help teach gentleness, responsibility and compassion. Studies have shown that children raised around animals have higher self-esteem and confidence and can cope with emotional problems better.
Proper research is essential before purchasing a pet and should involve either reading a book/article on pet ownership or researching the internet re the responsibilities involved. Important points to consider are those involved in the pet's care such as the time taken on training, walking feeding and grooming, the cost of keeping a pet such as the cost of feeding, grooming (if a type of dog that needs regular grooming at a grooming parlour), veterinary fees and the cost of kennelling if on holidays. Ensure you purchase your pup from a reputable breeder and not from a puppy farm. Checking with the Irish Kennel Club is a good idea.
The selection of a specific breed of dog to own or a mongrel requires consideration. Certain breeds eg Cavaliers, ShihTzus, Labradors and retrievers are renowned for having excellent temperments as a general rule but as with humans the very occasional pet can be a renegade. The size of the pet is an important factor if you live in a small house with a small garden there is no point having a large dog. A large dog will be stronger and need an older kid to hold and keep under control if walking in the park. Larger dogs eat more food, cost more to medicate if ill, etc so this must be taken into consideration.
Veterinary fees for the initial vaccination course for a puppy are approx €90- for the two injections required, the pup will also need worming and it is advisable to consider flea and lungworm control. Neutering will be required when approximately six months old and can cost from €145 and up depnding on size and gender. Pet insurance is a good idea as treatment options for a pet have made huge advances in recent years and you will want the very best for your family member.
Fintan
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Dear Fintan
I have a 5 month old female yorkshire terrier. I think she is due to go into heat soon but I am unsure of the signs and how long she will be in heat for?
Libby
Dear Libby
The oestrus cycle can vary with every dog. Dogs go into heat on average twice a year, but some dogs may go into heat three times and many larger dog breeds only once annually. The heat cycle lasts on average 12-21 days but again this can vary.
A female's first heat cycle will usually occur sometime between 6 to 12 months, although it may occur as early as 5 months in smaller breeds like the yorkshire terrier and as late as 14 months in larger breeds. Females can get pregnant during the first heat, though it is not advisable. Pregnancy complications are more likely at a young age.
Many bitches in heat exhibit a personality change: some females will become more affectionate with their owner while others maybe grumpy. Her appetite may change and it is not unusual for her to go off her food. Her vulva will swell and she may have a red bloody discharge for the first week which will lighten by week two and by week three the discharge will be a pinkish tan colour and very light. It is important at this time to keep your dog confined as male dogs will be eager to mate with her. If you are thinking about neutering her we can not do the surgery while she is in heat and we advice to do the surgery 3 months post heat.
Fintan
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Trying to budget for 3 pets |
Dear Fintan
I am the owner of two cats and one lively labrador. They are well cared for and we love to spoil them but with money tight, extra expenses need to be reviewed. Please can you advice me on what is necessary to keep my pets healthy?
Jennifer
Dear Jennifer
Vaccinations and parasite prevention are important parts of maintaining your pets' and your family's health. Diseases like leptospirosis (which is part of the normal annual booster vaccination) are zoonotic, meaning the can spread between animals and people. Also internal parasites can be transmitted to people. Choosing a low cost flea or worm treatment at the supermarket may save you a few euros but may not be effective at killing all common roundworms, tapeworms and fleas. Also when you come into our clinic with your pets our nurses will weigh your pet and give you the exact amount of flea and worm treatment required so you are not under- or over-dosing.
Pet emergencies should also be dealt with by a vet. Our vets and nurses are always available by phone to give advice on first aid treatment but if an animal needs to be seen it is important to seek the vets help ASAP and not to do a DIY job if you are unsure. Homemade bandages if put on too tight can act like a tourniquet causing swelling of the limb and loss of circulation. Always check with the vet before giving any human medication. Many accidental pet poisonings are caused by human medications. We all want to keep our furry friends healthy but it is challenging when you are on a budget. Talk with our vets and nurses who can best advise you on your pets' specific needs and see what should be addressed and what can wait. We are always happy to discuss these things over the phone!
Fintan
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 Dear Fintan
Last week I found a dead hedgehog in my back garden. When I picked him up to dispose of him I noticed numerous small insects (I presume!) moving through his spines. Do you have any idea what they might have been, and could they have caused this poor animal's death?
Nuala McGrath
Dear Nuala
The insects you saw were almost certainly fleas, as most hedgehogs are infested with these parasites. However they will not usually cause the death of a hedgehog but may be a problem in an old or debilitated animal. Hedgehogs can also carry the fungus which causes ringworm, so if you do have to handle one it is advisable to wear gloves!
Fintan |
Dear Fintan,
I have an eight month old collie cross who has developed a very embaressing problem. For the past few weeks he has taken to eating his own poo when he is out in the back garden! So far this doesn't seem to have caused him any obvious problems, but I am worried that he could pick up an infection.
Please help me!
Gary Boland
Dear Gary,
Coprophagia (eating faeces) is a habit which is disgusting to the owner but usually causes no real problems for the dog. Many different theories have been put foreward as to why dogs eat faeces, ranging from complex behavioural issues to the "they like the taste so they eat it" theory. Firstly it is important to establish whether there is any medical or dietary problem underlying the dog's behaviour. Many medical conditions can cause coprophagia, but most of these conditions will be accompanied by other clinical signs (eg. diarrhoea, weight loss). Also excessive feeding of fatty foods can encourage a dog to eat its own faeces, so I would encourage you to feed your dog a premium quality complete dry dog food.
In a young and otherwise healthy dog coprophagia is usually a primary behavioural problem, and the various treatment options are aimed at discouraging this unpleasant behaviour. One of the most popular recommendations is to put something on the faeces to make it taste worse. You may find it hard to imagine something that tastes worse than dog poo, so let me suggest hot mustard or Tabasco sauce. To make this treatment effective you have to treat 100% of the dog's faeces in order for him to associate the bad taste with it. Just treating some of the faeces does not work.
I find that a more effective approach is to pick up the faeces as soon as you can. In severe cases you may need to muzzle the dog to prevent him from eating his own faeces, and to be vigilant on walks to prevent him from eating other animal's faeces. Excluding access to faeces will usually help break this embarassing cycle of behaviour.
Coprophagia can have health implications for your dog. If he only eats his own faeces then he will not be exposed to any new infections or parasites, but if he eats the droppings of other animals he may be at risk. Canine hepatitis and parvovirus are two viruses that can be contracted in this way, but vaccinated dogs are well protected. However internal parasites are a real risk, so your dog should be prevented from eating the faeces of other animals as much as possible, and he should be wormed regularly.
To finish on a positive note this is often a behaviour that is associated with younger dogs, and many will simply grow out of it.
Fintan.
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