New Puppy & Kitten Program
Welcoming your new bundle of joy to their forever home is such a wonderful time, and you’ll want to make sure they have everything they need.
With so much advice out there, we want to provide you with a helpful guide that covers the key topics for your puppy or kitten’s first few months.
Special offers for new pet parents
Our puppy and kitten starter guides offer expert advice on nutrition, vaccinations, parasite protection, dental health, microchipping, behaviour and desexing. These guides are a great go-to resource for new pet parents.
Download your free guide today and contact us to book an appointment to ensure your pet is up to date with their healthcare essentials.
These guides provide general advice on key areas of your pet's health and development, but we always recommend contacting our veterinary team for advice appropriate for your pet. We look forward to seeing your and your bundle of joy soon!
Best For Pet is a pet wellness plan that removes the financial stress and complexity from providing your pet with the best care possible.
Inclusive of unlimited vet consultations, annual vaccinations, $250 off a dental procedure, and 24/7 online vet advice, this membership is suitable for cats and dogs of all ages.
Puppy vaccinations Important shots your puppy needs to get
Regular vaccinations help prevent highly contagious serious diseases that can cause fatalities among puppies and adult dogs. It is crucial all dogs be vaccinated for when they are exposed to other animals, dogs or public areas. Most puppy training or boarding facilities will also not accept unvaccinated puppies for training. Puppies should be vaccinated per schedule for basic immunity with boosters at regular intervals thereafter as recommended by your vet. We can help you plan your vaccination regime at your annual health and wellness assessment. Common animal health issues can be easily prevented with regular vaccination.
As part of the vaccination visit a full health examination and assessment is performed, and we will discuss with you the best vaccination regime for your pet. Here are some of the core shots they should be receiving:
C3 Vaccination
Canine Parvovirus
Also known as “Parvo,” this deadly disease can cause severe damage to your puppy’s intestines, bone marrow, lymph nodes and in some cases, the heart. It is a highly contagious and often fatal disease, affecting dogs of all ages but pups 6 to 20 weeks old are most susceptible. Rottweilers and Dobermans are known to be more susceptible than most other breeds. It is recommended that your puppy be vaccinated for Parvo starting at 6 to 7 weeks of age and complete the 3 step vaccination by 16 to 17 weeks of age.
Distemper
This is another contagious and serious disease. Distemper can affect your puppy’s lymph nodes and tonsils for about a week and if untreated can attack the gastrointestinal, urogenital and nervous system. Puppies with weak immune systems could pass away after two to five weeks of infection, even with treatment. It is also recommended that your puppy be vaccinated against distemper starting at 6 to 7 weeks of age as part of the 3 vaccination regime for initial protection.
Cats can also become infected with distemper (i.e., feline distemper or panleukopenia), and much like dog vaccinations, this viral disease vaccination is also included in the core cat vaccinations. Other core feline vaccinations are: rhinotracheitis and feline calicivirus.
Infectious Canine Hepatitis (ICH)
This is a highly contagious, infectious disease caused by the canine adenovirus. Puppies that are infected can show symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhoea and jaundice, which, if untreated, can be fatal. Older dogs may have a milder form of the disease but can develop complications related to the eyes (blue eye) a couple of weeks after the infection. It is recommended that your puppy is vaccinated for ICH from 6 to 7 weeks of age and complete the 3 step vaccination program.
Kennel Cough
Infectious canine tracheobronchitis, commonly known as “kennel cough”, while not as serious or life threatening as the other three diseases does cause a nasty cough which is highly contagious due to it being airborne. This disease can be caused by canine parainfluenza virus and Bordetella bronchiseptica. Whilst dogs most at risk are those coming into contact with other dogs (e.g. dogs going to shows or dogs being boarded) it is important to note that any social pooch may be exposed. Most kennels now require a kennel cough vaccine before your dog can be boarded.
Our recommended vaccination protocol for puppies is:
- 1st vaccination at 6-8 weeks- parvovirus/distemper/hepatitis
- 2nd vaccination at 10-12 weeks- parvovirus/distemper/hepatitis/parainfluenza/B.Bronchiseptica
- 3rd vaccination at 14-16 weeks- parvovirus/distemper/hepatitis
It is important to note that your puppy will not be fully protected against these diseases until 2 weeks after the final vaccination. Ensure you discuss the annual booster vaccinations required for your puppy after completion of the initial round of vaccines.
Puppy Worming
Intestinal worms can make your puppy very sick, but can also be easily prevented and controlled. Dogs are known to contract infestations of roundworm, whipworm, hookworm and tapeworm. These can all lead to illness and unhappiness for your pet. These parasites can be controlled with regular treatment using recommended deworming medications.
It’s worth knowing that:
- Pups can be infected with round and hook worm larva whilst in the mother’s womb or via the milk.
- Hookworms can kill young pups by blood loss.
- Roundworms can cause vomiting, coughing, blockages in the intestines and a potbelly.
- Whipworms can cause severe abdominal pain, fever and diarrhoea.
- Flea tapeworms are carried by fleas and cause an itchy bottom, while in the country areas of Australia Hydatid tapeworm is a threat to human health.
- Puppies should also receive regular preventative medication against the very serious and potentially fatal heartworm which can be contracted from mosquitoes and other pets.
In you and your children
- Hookworm larvae can cause skin irritation.
- Roundworm larva can (rarely) infect children and migrate to the eye, brain or other organs.
- HYDATID (not flea) tapeworms are a great danger to humans causing cysts throughout the body.
The best worming schedule is:
- 2-12 weeks: worm every 2 weeks
- 3-6 months: worm every month
- 6+ months: worm every 3 months
Boarding Kennels
Runs are equipped with trampoline beds, blankets and are tended to twice a day, 7 days a week. We feed Royal Canin premium food.
Bought a New Kitten?
Some important things to know…
We want to ensure you and your kitten have a long and healthy life. Also, we aim to make a kitten’s first visit to Ourimbah Vet calm and as positive as possible. This will help set up future visits as much easier if your cat has an initial positive experience.
Here is some information of the core shots and inital health steps your new kitten should receive:
Common Kitten Vaccinations
Cat Flu
There are two main viruses we vaccinate against. One is a calicivirus, and the other a feline herpes virus. The calicivirus like the human flu virus exists in many different strains. Vaccination is against the mostly common strains, so while not fully protective it does greatly reduce the change of cat flu. The herpes virus has one strain, so vaccination against this offers a more complete protection. Kittens initially get some immunity from their mothers. As they get older, this reduces so vaccination is important.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
FIV is an incurable viral infection that produces fatal illness in cats. First, it’s good to know there is no risk to humans, but for cats this is a serious disease that can be fatal and has no known cure.
Vaccinations are the best frontline defence. Kittens can catch this disease from their mothers and may be infected at time of vaccination. Vaccination does not harm an infected cat, but it does not cure either. We recommend that new kittens are tested on purchase.
Feline Panleucopaenia
Feline panleukopenia is a viral disease caused by the feline parvovirus. It is highly contagious though we see less these days with the introduction of vaccines. Kittens usually receive temporary immunity through the transfer of antibodies in the colostrum but after 8 weeks this protection can reduce. There is a low survival rate if contracted and vaccination is the best prevention and defence for your cat.
Kitten Worming
Kittens can become infected with tapeworms, roundworms, hookworm, lungworms and heartworms. Worms can pose a lot of danger to kittens and cats and it is important that they are eradicated before they cause irreparable harm. Roundworms are the most common and kittens can pick them up from the mother’s milk, while older cats can pick up an infestation from contact with infected faeces. Tapeworms are usually picked up from tapeworm fleas. Hookworms can be contracted from ingestion and skin contact. Lungworms are more uncommon and can be picked up from rodents and birds. Heartworms are extremely dangerous and can prove fatal. These worms are often contracted from mosquito bites. If you suspect a worm infestation at any point, take your cat to the vet for treatment. Regular treatment will work as a preventative, but missing doses can result in an infestation. Your vet will check blood and stool for the presence of worms and recommend a treatment to rid your pet of the parasites.
Our recommended worming protocol for cats is:
- 2 weeks from the age of 6 weeks to 3 months.
- Monthly until they are 6 months old.
- Older adopted kittens should be treated immediately with follow-up doses 2 weeks and 4 weeks later
- Adult cats should be treated every 3 to 6 months for worms depending on their habits.
Your vet will take you through whats best for your cat during their inital or followup checkups.
Neutering Your Cat
NSW government legislation recommends desexing by 4 months of age. Spaying and castration are routine surgeries and done as day procedures. You will normally be asked to dro your cat off in the morning and they should be back home later that day.
Spaying your female cat stops those unwanted pregnancies and also stops them coming into season and the behviours like extrta vocalisation you can expect with that.Castrating male cats reduces roaming, desire to fight other cats and the smell of tom cat urine.
Signs Your Cat May Be In Heat
- Vocalizing
- Urine spraying
- Attention-seeking behavior
- Raising hind end into the air
- Begging to go outside
Some Common Cat Myths!
- All cats hate water: While many cats dislike water, this is not true for all. And if your cat likes to get wet there is nothing wrong with that.
- Cats are nocturnal: Cats are instinctively crepuscular. This means they are most active at dawn and dusk. By playing with a cat during the day you can reduce this tendency.
- You should give your cat milk: Milk can upset a cat’s stomach if they are not used to it. Many cats become lactose intolerant as they are weaned from milk as kittens. If cats have been fed milk from kittens they usually retain the ability to digest it.
- Cats always land on their feet: Cats do have a righting reflex that usually develops around 8 weeks of age. And while cats do have exceptional abilities to defy gravity we recommend that you don’t encourage this as we regularly see cats that have taken injuries from falls.
- If you want an affectionate pet get a dog: Cats are more independent than dogs but they absolutely show affection to their family and enjoy receiving attention.
- Pregnant women shouldn’t be around cats: Cat feces can carry a parasite called toxoplasmosis. This can cause miscarriage or make you ill. If you have a cat while pregnant ask someone else to deal with the litter tray. You can also ask your vet to test for toxoplasmosis. And of course, speak with your GP about your cat and what they recommend.
