SHOULD
I GET MY DOG STERILISED?
 Sterilisation
of male and female dogs is a day procedure, which is performed to
make a dog infertile. The surgery is performed by a Veterinarian
under a General Anaesthetic and most dogs are back to normal within
24 hours of the surgery.
A female dog comes into season around 7 months of age depending
on the breed, and will attract male dogs from all over the neighbourhood.
Her season can last up to three weeks and if not kept confined will
often get pregnant. The main benefits of sterilising a female dog
is to prevent unwanted litters of puppies, reduce the risk of her
developing some life threatening health problems including mammary
cancer and uterine infections.
A male dog matures between 6 -7 months of age and can start
showing a variety of hormonal influenced behaviours. Mounting, territorial
urine marking, escaping and roaming (in search of females) and fighting
with other male dogs are behaviours, which are more common in unsterilised
male dogs. Sterilisation removes the hormonal stimulation for these
behaviours.
Male dogs tend to start showing these behaviours at puberty
(around 6 months of age). Sterilisation is more effective at preventing
undesirable male behaviours if the dog is sterilised before sexual
maturity. Once a dog has learned to show these behaviour, he may
continue to do them even if he is sterilised at a later age. Sterilisation
will also reduce the risk of prostatic disease.
Sterilising your male or female dog will not change their
personality but will make them an all round better companion
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INTESTINAL
WORMS
All dogs should be given intestinal worming tablets every 3 months.
The best tablets and pastes (which treat all types of intestinal
worms) are available from our clinic.
Puppies require worming every 2 weeks until 12 weeks of
age, then every month until 6 months of age, then every 3 months
for life. We can dispense puppy worming syrups and kittens worming
pastes over the counter.
Pregnant bitches need to be wormed every 3 weeks during
the 9 weeks of pregnancy and while the puppies are suckling. This
will minimise the transmission of worms to the puppies.
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HEARTWORM
PREVENTION
 Heartworm
is transmitted
by mosquitoes and the incidence of heartworm disease in dogs is
on the increase in Perth.
At Floreat Veterinary Centre, we recommend strongly that
all dogs stay on heartworm prevention for life starting at 6 weeks
of age. The easiest way to prevent heartworm is with a monthly chewable
treat or tablet available only from your vet.
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FLEA
PREVENTION
 Most
dogs will be affected by fleas at some time. Flea products have
come a long way since the old flea rinses which contained potentially
dangerous organophosphate poisons.
The newer flea treatments act either to kill the fleas on
your pet, or to break the flea breeding cycle for longer term control.
The ease of application has been greatly improved with spot-on products
and sprays. Come in and discuss the best form of flea control for
your animals
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