Puppies
Vaccinated from 8 weeks of age with the second vaccination given at 12 weeks.

Kittens
Vaccinations given from 9 weeks of age with the second vaccination given at 12 weeks. This gives protection against feline flu, enteritis and feline leukaemia

Infectious Bronchitis
Infectious Bronchitis (Bordetella Bronchiseptica, commonly known as “kennel cough”) is not potentially life-threatening but can be quite distressing for your dog. Most boarding kennels insist on this vaccine at least ten days before kenneling.

Worming
The most common worms found in kittens and puppies, cats and dogs are roundworms and tapeworms.

Roundworms
This is the most common type of worm found in kittens and puppies. The worm eggs are passed into the system before birth, via the mother’s placenta. The eggs pass into the lungs and hatch into adult worms: they then travel up the windpipe, are coughed up, and swallowed down the stomach. The worms live in the small intestine where the eggs are laid, these are then passed out in the faeces.

Prevention
Start early-you can begin worming at 4 weeks of age

Tapeworms
This is the most common type of worm found in adult cats and dogs; it lives in the small intestine, attaching itself to the intestine wall by means of suckers on his head. The end segments containing the eggs are discharged in the faeces and consumed by a variety of intermediate hosts, the flea being the biggest culprit. Once in the flea the eggs hatch out as larvae; the flea may then be swallowed by your cat or dog whilst it is grooming itself. Larvae hatch out into the adult worm, thus repeating the cycle. Most tapeworm infestations are not detected: It is recommended that cats and dogs are wormed every three months. Treatment against fleas is also very important as they play a substantial role in the lifecycle of the tapeworm. At six months of age it is strongly recommended that your pet is given a multi-wormer.

Fleas
It used to be that fleas were mainly a summer nuisance, nowadays however, due to the way we live they are a year long problem. Wall-to-wall carpeting, double glazing and central heating help provide the perfect conditions for flea production. Although the adult flea has a life cycle of just a few weeks, the females will lay hundreds of eggs during their lifetime. These eggs will remain in your home until they are ready to hatch and so the cycle continues. There are many products available these days to help prevent the infestation of fleas, these include products to use on your pet to kill the adult fleas, sprays and powders to use around your home and also treatments for your pet to take, which stops the fleas from breeding. To find out which treatment would best suit your situation please ask a member of staff who will be happy to help you.