Church Street Veterinary Hospital, Mudgee
Animal Information > DOGS

• What should I feed my puppy?
• What vaccinations should my puppy or dog get and how often?
• Should I have my puppy desexed?
• How can I stop my puppy from biting?
• How can I housetrain my puppy?
• Does my dog need a microchip?
• How often should I bathe my dog?
• My dog is always scratching. Does he have fleas?
• How often should I worm my dog?
• What is Heartworm?
• My dog is dragging his bottom on the ground. Could he have worms?
• How can I stop my dog from shedding hair everywhere?
• Why does my dog scratch at his ears and shake his head?
• Should I clean my dog's eyes?
• Why does my dog have bad breath?
• How can I stop my dog from barking?

What should I feed my puppy? [top]
Good nutrition is vital at this age when bones are quickly growing. A puppy diet is required as it contains the right balance of nutrients, significantly calcium, and a high quality diet means it is readily digestible (undigested food results in soft, smelly faeces, and also flatulence). Table scraps, all-meat diets and cat food are not adequate to maintain the health of your puppy or dog. There are many different brands of premium pet foods. Tinned food contains the same nutrients as dry food, but considerably more water, so dry food works out as less expensive, and easier to store, and also helps clean the teeth. Large breeds of dogs have specific nutritional requirements during the rapid growth phase, so Large Breed Puppy diets are recommended for these dogs. Raw meaty bones are also an important part of your puppy’s diet to ensure healthy teeth and gums. Ask the helpful team at Church Street Vets for more advice on feeding your puppy.

What vaccinations should my puppy or dog get and how often? [top]
The major viral diseases in Australia that affect dogs are Canine Parvovirus, Canine Distemper and Canine Hepatitis. Canine Cough (Kennel Cough) is another disease that has a viral component. The good news is that there are new vaccines available that make vaccination even better for your dog and easier for you.

Vaccination to prevent these diseases is crucial to your dog’s health. Vaccination programs start at 6 - 8 weeks of age, and boosters are given at approximately 4 to 6 week intervals until the puppy is 18 - 20 weeks of age. The reason for these boosters is that the antibodies the puppy got from his mother actually interfere with the vaccine’s effectiveness. Since these maternal antibodies are lost at different ages in different puppies, we need to give boosters to ensure we have protective levels of antibodies in all puppies. Annual vaccination is recommended to keep antibody levels high throughout life. Ask us for advice on the best program for your dog.

Should I have my puppy desexed? [top]
Desexing of both male and female dogs is recommended before they reach sexual maturity. Some vets will recommend early desexing at 12 - 16 weeks of age, however we prefer to perform the operation at the older age of 5 to 6 months.

Desexing of female dogs (spaying) will prevent unwanted puppies or the annoying attention of male dogs when they come into season twice a year. From a medical standpoint, spaying at a young age will prevent mammary tumours (breast cancer) and pyometra (infection of the uterus which is often a surgical emergency). Neutering, or castration, of male dogs before puberty will decrease the problems of aggression, urine marking, tendency to roam, and hypersexuality (usually with the furniture or with visitors!) Medically, castrated dogs cannot develop testicular cancer, and reduces the risk of prostate problems in the older dog.

How can I stop my puppy from biting? [top]
Biting and mouthing is normal when puppies play with other dogs. However, biting humans should be discouraged as it can lead to bigger problems as your dog gets older, especially in male puppies which can use it to establish dominance over family members. Try not to engage in rough play such as tug-of-war games as they can lead to dominance problems.

Transfer biting behaviour onto dog toys and chewing objects, and praise the puppy when he uses the toys. When puppies are small, their biting and mouthing isn’t painful, so owners tend to allow it, and then have problems trying to stop the habit when the puppy is bigger and it starts to hurt. If a puppy is biting you, say ‘no’ once and withdraw play and attention. You and all members of the family need to be immediate and consistent for the training to work. If there continues to be a problem, you may need to leave the room in order to withdraw attention.

Punishment is often ineffective, and can serve to reinforce the aggression, or cause the puppy to become anxious, fearful or perhaps more excited. Distraction such as loud noises (a shake can filled with pebbles, air horn, or loud whistle) can be effective. Withdraw play until the puppy has quietened down, then praise. As with other training lessons, control and leadership over your puppy make learning much faster, and longer lasting. Establish dominance over the puppy, and start obedience training early. Ensure all family members are consistent and assertive in their training.

How can I housetrain my puppy? [top]
New puppies can be housetrained within a few days with careful supervision, consistent commands and rewards, and no punishment. Puppies will go to the toilet after waking up and after eating. Take your puppy to the place you would like it to use, such as on newspaper in a corner, or outside, using a command such as ‘Go potty’. Giving a reward, in the form of a special food treat or lavish praise and cuddles, will give the puppy incentive to repeat this behaviour due to positive reinforcement.

Even if he or she makes a mistake, never punish, as it will make the matter worse; probably because the dog can become anxious in your presence and will try to wait to go to the toilet when you leave. If a reprimand is needed, a loud ‘no’ is sufficient to distract the puppy so that you can then redirect him to the correct area. When you cannot supervise your puppy, such as during the night, confine him to a secure area that contains his bed and toys and an area covered with paper for his toilet.

Does my dog need a microchip? [top]
Microchipping is recommended for dogs as a permanent and safe form of identification. In NSW, it is compulsory that all puppies be microchipped at point of sale, change of ownership or by 12 weeks of age, whichever occurs first. Unfortunately, many family pets are euthanased every day because they cannot be identified. Microchips cannot be altered and do not fade over time, whereas tags and collars can easily be lost. The microchip is injected under the skin between the shoulder blades and remains there for life, ready to be identified by a special scanner and your pet promptly returned to you if lost. More info about microchipping requirements in the Mudgee area can be found on the Mid-Western Regional Council website.

How often should I bathe my dog? [top]
Washing or bathing your dog can be an important part of your dog’s regular grooming program, which is essential for general skin and coat care. The frequency will depend on your personal preference, the breed and the nature of your dog. A weekly bath is important for some people to have a clean and fresh smelling dog, while for others it is on a needs only basis. Once a month is generally sufficient, unless your dog more frequently likes to roll or wallow in smelly things. Flea and tick shampoos or rinses need to be used weekly if they are sole source of external parasite control. Do not use human shampoos or products as they are formulated with a different pH than what a dog needs. Washing a dog too often, or using an inappropriate product, can leave the coat dull, and cause dry, flaky and itchy skin. Some breeds, for example Cocker Spaniels, are prone to skin conditions and do need to be washed more often with medicated shampoos as directed by your vet. Longhaired dogs may need regular washing to help remove tangles and prevent matting.

My dog is always scratching. Does he have fleas? [top]
Your dog may have fleas, even if you can’t see them. Fleas can build up rapidly to plague-like proportions under the right conditions. Adult fleas live & feed on your pet but 95% of the flea population live as eggs, larvae and pupae in the dirt, carpet, bedding and cracks and crevices, ready to jump on your pet. Fleas can cause itching, scratching, skin allergies, dermatitis, anaemia and transmit tapeworms. They can bite humans as well. The only effective way to get rid of fleas is to start a flea control program, both on and off your pet.

All fleas must be removed from the dog and its environment, including other household pets. Cats are often overlooked as the source of fleas especially if they are not scratching themselves. There are many safe and effective flea products available for killing fleas on your dog and cat (also for puppies and kittens), and for preventing fleas reinfesting them. Ask us for advice on the best product for your pet.

You then need to kill fleas and the other stages of the flea life cycle in the environment. This means flea-bombing areas in the house that the dog can access, treating kennels, baskets, or bedding, and identifying outdoor areas where fleas may exist. This may mean blocking off your dog's access to under the house, and using outdoor flea products in places like sandpits or favourite resting areas. Don’t forget the car if you travel with your pet!

How often should I worm my dog? [top]
Intestinal worms such as tapeworm and roundworm are common parasites of puppies, and since roundworm can affect humans, especially children, puppies need to be wormed every 2 weeks from 2 to 12 weeks of age, then monthly to 6 months, and then every 3 months as an adult dog. Regular worming is essential – while treatment kills worms present in the intestine at the time, reinfections can occur from other pets and the environment. Once is not enough.

Pregnant dogs need to be wormed prior to mating, 10 days before whelping and at 2 weeks and 4 weeks after whelping. Dogs in hydatid areas (where your dog has access to raw offal) need to be wormed every 6 weeks, as hydatid tapeworms are a serious health risk to humans. We can check your dog for the presence of worms, give the appropriate treatment and advise you on the best worm control program for your dog. Not all over-the-counter products available treat all the worms, and not all are effective.

What is Heartworm?
Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) can infect your dog from the bite of a single mosquito and has the potential to cause heart failure and death. As it is spread by mosquitoes, your dog does not have to be in contact with other dogs to develop this disease.

The larvae move through the tissue beneath the skin, then move to the heart and blood vessels of the lungs where they grow into adult worms. In the early stages of a heartworm infection, there may be no symptoms or signs of the disease.

Even though you may not see the symptoms, it does not mean dogs, and cats, can’t be severely affected. Active dogs may show signs such as coughing, especially upon exercise, or early exhaustion.

In advanced stages of the disease, severe weight loss, fainting, coughing up blood and congestive heart failure may occur. This is because major vessels become blocked with chronic infections, and if no action is taken, death usually results from heart failure.

More then 65% of the dog population in Australia live in high heartworm prevalent areas.

Prior to starting your dog on heartworm prevention, it’s important that we determine that your dog does not have heartworm. This is easily done by a quick blood test performed here at the clinic. If the test result is negative, we can start your dog on a prevention program immediately. You have a choice of monthly tablets, chews or spot-ons, or easiest of all, an annual heartworm injection.

While it’s very difficult to cure heartworm…. it’s so simple to prevent!

My dog is dragging his bottom on the ground. Could he have worms? [top]
A pet "scooting", or dragging the hind end on the carpet, grass, or your favorite rug is something most pet owners have witnessed at one time or another. Most often is it because their anal sacs are bothering them. Normally a bowel movement is sufficient to express the sacs; however, if the animal is sick, i.e. with loose stool or diarrhea, the sacs to not get emptied as they normally would. Dietary changes that cause a temporarily looser stool than normal can also be a cause, though this is easily resolved by adding more fibre to their diet. Animals that are overweight have less muscle tone and sometimes additional fat tissue in the way of proper emptying of the sacs. Usually the scooting helps the dog express the anal sacs however if this continues, you will need to bring him into our clinic to get manually emptied.

How can I stop my dog from shedding hair everywhere? [top]
Shedding hair is a natural process for most dogs and occurs throughout the year, especially in spring and during periods of illness or stress, pregnancy or nursing. Some breeds, such as Poodles do not shed significantly (though than need regular trimming). The best way to control shedding is to regularly brush and groom your dog. Slicker brushes, rakes and shedding tools are useful. A regular bath with a good quality shampoo may also help to keep the coat and skin healthy. If you are concerned, or you notice any unusual skin or general health problems, please let us know as there are some medical conditions that may increase shedding.

Why does my dog scratch at his ears and shake his head? [top]
Any ear problem can cause affected dogs to scratch or paw at their ears, shake their heads and hang them to the side of the affected ear. Foreign objects in the ear, allergies, ear mites, certain skin conditions and infections with bacteria, fungi and yeasts can all cause ear disease. Dogs such as spaniels, hounds and bassets are prone to bacterial infections of the outer ear because their floppy ears prevent air circulation and drainage of any moisture in the ear canal. If you notice any discharge, unpleasant smell, redness, swelling, lumps or pain, please contact us immediately. A special tool (an otoscope) is required to look down the ear canal to diagnose the problem and prompt treatment will ensure the problem doesn’t become more serious.

Should I clean my dog's eyes? [top]
Dogs accumulate small amounts of secretions and debris at the inside corners of their eyes, just like ‘sleep’ in humans. These can be wiped away gently with a damp cotton ball, being careful not to touch or rub the eyeball. Some breeds (Poodles, Cockers, and small Terriers) tend to have more discharges and staining of the hair at the eyelid corners. Products are available to help reduce this discolouration, especially in light-coloured dogs, and any long facial hair can be carefully trimmed to prevent irritation of the eyes. If your dog's eyes are weeping excessively, you should contact us as this could be due to conjunctivitis, a serious ulcer, or abnormalities of the tear duct. If a foreign body such as a grass seed is present, your dog may blink excessively and the lids will swell. Symptoms like these or any suspected eye problem should be treated as an emergency to avoid serious complications and, at worst, loss of the eye.

Why does my dog have bad breath? [top]
Dental disease is one of the most common problems affecting dogs and cats today. In humans, tartar builds up if we do not remove it by brushing. Likewise in animals, tartar builds up if it is not removed by chewing on raw bones or other gnawing toys, or by brushing. Tartar then develops into calculus, which is the visible hard, yellowy, mineral buildup. Then the gums recede from around the teeth, and other supporting structures for the teeth are weakened, leading to tooth infections, tooth loss and bad breath. This process is called periodontal disease. Apart from tooth problems, periodontal disease can also affect general health as bacteria are released into the bloodstream through the inflamed gums and can lodge in places like the kidneys and heart valves, causing problems in these sites. Therefore, mouth health is important for your pet’s overall health and longevity. If there is a significant tartar build up or inflamed gums (gingivitis), your dog will need ultrasonic scaling which needs to be performed under an anaesthetic. It is a good idea to incorporate brushing your dog’s teeth into his or her regular grooming program from an early age.

How can I stop my dog from barking? [top]
The answer to this question depends on why your dog is barking, whether it is in your presence or absence, and if it is a sign of a behavioural problem. Many dogs will bark for attention, and they get it when the owner goes to try to quieten the dog with attention or food, thereby reinforcing the barking behaviour. The barking is reinforced by reward in this case. Therefore, the first step is not to give attention to your barking dog. If the barking is caused by passing pedestrians or other stimuli, you may need to keep your dog away from the stimuli, such as keeping him in the back yard, or inside.

Using a halter and lead, you can stop a dog barking by pulling on the lead which closes the mouth and distracts the dog. As he stops barking, give the ‘hush’ or 'quiet' command. There are some anti-barking devices available, such as the Aboistop Collar that emits a spray of citronella each time the dog barks and is sufficiently unpleasant to deter most dogs. Some dogs only require to wear the collar for a couple of weeks to stop barking, although others will require training as well, especially once they learn when the collar is off or on. Distractions can be useful, such as loud noises (loud whistles, stones in a can) as they can result in a sudden silence which is then rewarded. Contact us for helpful solutions for problem barking in your dog.