Frequently Asked Questions

Below are a number of frequently asked questions.

Worm and Flea Treatment

It is advisable to worm your pet every two weeks up to 12 weeks of age and then every three months thereafter. For cats, a spot on can be used which, depending on the product selected, will last for 3 months. Spot on’s are very effective if worming tablets are proving to be difficult to administer. Worming must be carried out in addition to flea treatments. Flea treatments can be given, again depending on the selected product, every 4-6 weeks.

Spaying and Neutering your cat or dog

Bitches
For female dogs spaying prevents pyometran (infections of the womb), mammary tumours, phantom pregnancies and unwanted puppies. Spaying can be performed before her first season at six months of age or 4-6 weeks following the end of her season.

Male Dogs
Castrating a male dog prevents prostate problems, anal adenamas (tumors), testicular cancer and behavioral issues such as fighting and wandering.

Cats
Female cats can be spayed at 5-6 months of age.

Cats and Dogs can be castrated from 6 months of age.

Vaccinations

Cats should receive their first vaccination at 9 weeks of age, they will then get their follow-on vaccination 3 weeks later. After the last vaccination cats should receive a yearly vaccination, known as the annual booster.

Dogs should receive their first vaccination between 8-10 weeks of age, they will then get their follow-on vaccination 3 weeks later. After the last vaccination your dog should receive a yearly vaccination, known as the annual booster.

Kennel cough vaccinations are required to stop the spread of kennel cough and is required if your dog needs to go into a kennel for any period of time. Kennel Cough can be given yearly.

Blood testing can be preformed to see if a yearly vaccination is required.

Nail Clipping

Nail clipping can be preformed as required. Special attention should be played to the dew claws as these do not get worm down by exercise.

Dental Hygiene

There are numerous products available in our shop for keeping teeth clean and to promote fresh breath. Brushing your pet’s teeth is a good way to prevent tartar building up. You could start to practice this on your pet from a young age. If a dental is required this will be done under a full Anaesthetic, therefore regular home cleaning is beneficial.

Pet Passport

At the present time the pet must be micro chipped prior to receiving the rabies vaccination. A blood sample is then carried out 3-4 weeks later. If all is okay then the pet can leave Ireland but cannot return for 6 months following the date of a successful blood test. Once the initial six month period is over you are then free to travel as you wish. The rabies vaccination has to be repeated within a three year period. If you are out of date for the rabies vaccination you must then repeat the entire process again.

Puppy training

Contacts are available from a member of staff for obedience classes for your dog. Kennel cough and a full set of vaccinations are required and recommended before your pet attends theses classes. Treat your puppy with absolute consistency when training a puppy. For example, you should not encourage your puppy up for a cuddle of your sofa one day and then get cross at him/her for jumping up when he is dirty! Toilet training is best preformed when they have just woken up by taking them outside immediately and praising their good progress. Training all pets takes patience, time and plenty of love and encouragement.

Anal Glands

There are two glands located either side of the bottom that can become irritating and painful if the become full or infected. If you notice your dog scooting their bottom on the floor or in any discomfort this can often be a sign that your pets glands are indeed full or even infected and does not automatically mean that your pet has worms. The Anal Glands can be emptied by your vet manually and increasing fiber in the diet can help keep them naturally empty. If the anal glands become a persisting problem then they can be surgically removed.

Euthanasia/ Cremation

It is obviously a very difficult time and decision to put your pet to sleep. We prefer to do this by appointment in the surgery or at home in order to prevent an unnecessary wait in a busy clinic. Euthanasia is an overdose of an Anaesthetic which is injected into the leg vein and the patient feels no pain, he will just go to sleep.

Cremation can be arranged for either individual cremation, where the owner receives back an urn of their pet’s ashes and can have an engraving on it in memory of your loved pet. Alternatively a group cremation can be done and the ashes are not returned.

Ask a member of staff for advice on Individual or Group Cremations.

Feeding

It is best to discuss a healthy balanced diet for your pet on an individual basis with a vet or a member of staff.

Micro chipping

All kennel club registered puppies should be micro-chipped as a puppy. For patients not micro-chipped the process is quite straightforward. A microchip is injected into the scruff of the neck. This microchip has an individual number specific to the owner and the pet and is logged onto a database. Should you need to change contact details you will need to inform the database holders.

Pregnancy Scan

Scans can be done on Bitches by making an appointment. It is best to do a scan from 4 weeks of gestation. Head counts are a rough guide to knowing how many puppies are due and it therefore is quite difficult to give exact numbers.