Congratulations on your new pet. Together you and your dog will embark on a wonderful journey.

Having a new dog or puppy can be a little overwhelming at the beginning: we are here to help you with any queries and to give advice on puppy training, toilet training, biting behaviour, puppy discipline etc.

There can be so many things to take on board when you get a new dog so Anicare vets have compiled a 9 point checklist to get you started.

Susan Barry, our vet in Palmerstown veterinary hospital, Dublin recently adopted a new dog and used the checklist to ensure Peggy is fit and healthy:

HEALTH AND WELL BEING CHECKLIST:

1. Vet examination- your dog will be examined from nose to tail to ensure they are perfectly healthy.
2. Vaccinations- necessary to prevent your dog from contracting a fatal disease. Boosters need to be given yearly for the rest of the dog’s life. Ensure your dog is also vaccinated against Canine cough- you vet will explain the importance of this.
3. Flea and worm treatment- many products available- always get your products from your vet. Combined flea and worm treatments, which are liquids applied to the back of the neck every month are now very popular. Flea and worm treatments keep your pet healthy and your house and family free of parasites!
4. Microchip and dog license. All dogs must be microchipped- your vet will do this. The dog license can be purchased at your local post office. Dog licenses are renewed yearly.
5. Pet health insurance- highly recommended by all of the vets and vet nurses in Palmerstown, who all have insurance for their own pets:  “it allows you to avail of all of the diagnostics and treatments without the financial constraints” says Paula Sanfey, vet nurse, Palmerstown.
6. Food- try and stick to a dry dog food, no table food, and minimal treats. Feed puppy food to puppies, adult food to adult dogs and low fat food to neutered adults. Our vet hospital receptionist and nurses are trained in pet nutrition and are delighted to advise you on the optimal diet for your new puppy / dog.
7. Neutering- although not done until 6 months of age onwards, it is good to be aware of it and its many health benefits now. Your vet will explain why this is so important.
8. Training and puppy classes. Here at Palmerstown veterinary hospital our vet nurse. Catriona Higgins. runs puppy preschool where puppies up to 18 weeks old and their owners will learn the basic commands, how to socialise with other dogs and people and all about disciplinary procedures! There are various other adult dog training courses around Dublin which we would be happy to recommend

SHOPPING CHECKLIST:

1. Dog bed, something that can be washed in the machine/ wipes clean is ideal- some people like to buy a crate for their puppy to help with the toilet training and confine them at night/ while out.
2. Dog bowls- one for water and one for food
3. Chew toys- puppies love to chew so having plenty of toys (suitable for puppy/ adult dogs) will save your house and belongings!
4. Wipes and disinfectant! – There will be plenty of accidents in the early days while and puppy is being toilet trained/ adult dog is getting used to their new surroundings.

Remember also to dog proof your house. Keep remote controls, phone chargers, electrical cables etc out of reach. You can use a baby gate to confine your dog to certain rooms/ stop them going up or down stairs.

We are always available at Palmerstown veterinary hospital to take a call and answer any queries you have. Just call us on 01 6237044

You can also pick our brains on FACEBOOK!

We are in the midst of the cold winter weather and coughs and colds are a common occurrence in us humans. These are a nuisance but rarely turn into more serious conditions.

However if your dog begins to cough it is time to seek advice from your Anicare vets as Kennel Cough, whilst rarely serious, may lead to more serious health issues if not treated early on.

The name “kennel cough” can be misleading but in fact kennel cough is so named because the infection can spread quickly among dogs that are in close contact – such as the close quarters of a kennel – but it is certainly not a disease exclusive to the kennel environment. Dogs will often pick up kennel cough from other infected dogs in the park or their neighbourhood. It is a highly contagious disease.

The symptoms of kennel cough are a persistent hacking cough and often coughing is bad enough to cause the dog to vomit, especially if a meal has just been eaten. The cough is usually made worse by excitement and exercise and often the dog will cough up pools of “white spit”. If your dog is showing these symptoms we may prescribe a course of treatment.

Susan Barry, one of our vets at Palmerstown Vet hospital, says “We see approximately 3 cases of kennel cough per week and some weeks even more if there has been an outbreak”. A simple vaccination can make kennel cough almost completely avoidable and dog owners are urged to contact their nearest Anicare vet hospital discuss their options. The kennel cough vaccination can be given at the time of the annual booster and is effective for 1 year.

Remember, with regards to Kennel cough, it is better to be safe than sorry.