New Puppy
The first few months of a puppy’s life are crucial in terms of their physical, social and psychological development.
As the owner of a new puppy, this early part of your new pet’s life can seem a little overwhelming with things like socialisation, basic training, vaccinations and nutrition to consider. Vets on Balwyn are here to help set your puppy up to live a long and happy life by providing you with support and guidance in addition to state of the art veterinary services. On this page, you’ll find our new puppy health checklist which lists all your puppy’s major healthcare requirements during the first six months of its life.
Complimentary Puppy And Kitten Health Checks
Book a complimentary health check for your puppy or kitten! Our Balwyn Vets will assess their overall wellbeing, provide expert advice, and ensure they’re happy and healthy. Schedule your check-up today!
Vaccinations
Getting your puppy vaccinated is perhaps the most important thing you can do to protect them from viral infections that can have a devastating impact on their health and quality of life. At Vets on Balwyn we start vaccination courses when your puppy is between 6-8 weeks old, with a booster administered at 12 weeks and 16 weeks of age. A booster is then due 12 months later, to ensure your pet’s antibody levels remain high.
Intestinal worming
Puppies are often born with worms and as some of these intestinal parasites can severely affect your puppies health as well as cause illness in humans, we recommend you start worming your puppy early. A fortnightly worming schedule should be implemented whilst your puppy is between 4-12 weeks of age. From 12 weeks to 6 months, the worming treatments are administered monthly and then once every three months thereafter.
Heartworm
There are several different ways you can protect your puppy from heartworm including monthly topical application, monthly chewable, and annual injections. Heartworm prevention treatment should start when your puppy is three months old and it’s best to consult with your vet about the right treatment option for your animal.
Fleas
Fleas and the tapeworm eggs they carry can have a serious impact on your puppy’s health and development so prevention needs to start early. However, not all flea control methods are suitable for puppies so please have a chat with our team about the right treatment course for your pup.
Nutrition
Your puppy grows quickly in the first six months of its life, and it’s important to support them with good nutrition during this period. We recommend a specially formulated puppy diet which contains a unique balance of nutrients (specifically calcium to promote bone growth) and is designed to be easy for sensitive puppy tummies to digest. Different breeds of dog grow at different rates so they have different nutritional requirements. To determine the right diet for your puppy, please consult one of our team members.
Need an appointment?
When your pet’s unwell, or it’s time for a general check-up or vaccination, your furry friend is in good hands. Book online to see our expert Vets on Balwyn!
Contact Details
Opening Hours
Monday – Friday: 8am – 7pm
Saturday: 9am – 2pm
Sunday: Closed
Vets on Balwyn Feedback
FAQs
When should I bring my new puppy for their first visit?
Congratulations on your new companion! At Vets on Balwyn, we offer complimentary health checks for your puppy’s first visit to ensure your new pet’s health and happiness.
During this visit, your pet will receive a comprehensive health check to ensure their well-being, a take-home guide covering care instructions, and a discussion with the vet about veterinary care, nutrition, training, parasite control, and any other concerns you may have.
Most importantly, your puppy will enjoy plenty of cuddles and socialisation with our team before returning for vaccinations or necessary treatments.
What is the recommended vaccination schedule for a new puppy?
- We recommend getting the first vaccination at 6-8 weeks.
- A follow-up vaccination is advised at 4-6 weeks to ensure the next dose is administered by or around the 12-week mark.
- The final vaccination is given at 16 weeks of age.
At what age should I start heartworm prevention for my puppy?
When should I start flea prevention for my puppy?
What is the recommended puppy worming schedule?
We recommend that puppies be given deworming medication every two weeks from 6 to 12 weeks old, then once a month until they’re 6 months old, and every three months after that.
