Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Should I microchip my pet?
A. A microchip is a tiny implant that can be put under the pet's skin. It is a painless procedure and a permanent way of identifying your pet. Each pet gets a unique "barcode" number that is registered to a central database. Should your pet go missing and be presented to a Veterinary Surgeon or at a Pound, the chip can be read using a scanner. For more information on microchipping please visit our page here or the website www.fido.ie.
Q. When should I vaccinate my puppy/kitten?
A. This would normally commence at 8-10 weeks with a follow up injection at 12 weeks. Each consultation consists of a full health check, when we can advise you regarding worming, flea treatment, feeding, microchipping and breed specific requirements. The puppy/kitten is fully immunised 7 days after the final injection.
Q. How often should I vaccinate my adult dog/cat?
A. In accordance with the manufacturer's directions we recommend that booster vaccinations be given annually. At these visits a full clinical examination is carried out and it is an opportunity to monitor your pet's health and gain advice on your pet's wellbeing, through the different stages of his/her life.
Q. How often do I worm my dog/cat?
A. Puppies and kittens are normally wormed every 2 weeks until they are 12 weeks of age. After this it is recommended to worm them every 3 months. Visit the website www.noworm.co.uk.
Q. When should I neuter my dog/cat?
A. Dogs and cats are usually neutered from six months of age onwards. Early neutering of female dogs , considerably reduces the risk of developing mammary tumours later in life and avoids having to deal with regular cycles of being in heat or possible future uterine infections. Cats are prolific breeders and are mature at six months of age. Female cats "Queens" can become pregnant at this age, while the male cat "Tom" will develop the physical and behavioural characteristics of mature tom cats at around six months of age. It is therefore recommended that all cats be neutered at 6 months.
Q. Should I microchip my pet?
A. A microchip is a tiny implant that can be put under the pet's skin. It is a painless procedure and a permanent way of identifying your pet. Each pet gets a unique "barcode" number that is registered to a central database. Should your pet go missing and be presented to a Veterinary Surgeon or at a Pound, the chip can be read using a scanner. For more information on microchipping please visit the website www.fido.ie.
Q. What is Kennel Cough?
A. Kennel cough is a highly contagious disease of the dog's respiratory tract. Dogs of all ages can be affected and signs include a harsh, dry, convulsive cough - very much like whooping cough in humans. Kennel cough is passed from dog to dog via airborne droplets. Dogs most at risk are those going into boarding kennels, dog shows, training classes, grooming parlours etc. There is a vaccine available to protect against this disease. It is an intranasal vaccine and protects your dog for 12 months.