Dog Advice

From vaccinations to routine surgery, we have your canine information

Vaccinations

Dogs need to be vaccinated before they are allowed out in the big wide world, this is to protect them against diseases and infections such as Parvovirus and Leptospirosis.

At South Wales Vets we use a market-leading vaccine for our dogs and can vaccinate puppies from 6 - 8 weeks old. Puppies must visit us twice, 4 weeks apart and this ensures maximum protection when they venture outdoors. They cannot go out until at least 7 days after their 2nd vaccination. For those owners who wish to socialise their puppies earlier we do offer a 3 visit option, which allows partial protection - Please ask a member of our team for more details.

All dogs then need a yearly vaccination booster for the rest of their lives. These start 12 months after their 2nd puppy vaccination and if your dog does not receive an annual booster, you risk them picking up infections. If your dog is over due on their vaccinations, they can be re-started by having 2 vaccines given 4 weeks apart – just like when they were a puppy.

We also advise that dogs receive a vaccination for Kennel Cough. Kennel Cough is misleading name as it implies that only dogs in kennels can pick it up, this is not true. If your dog socialises in any public area, comes into contact with other dogs or goes to an area that dogs frequently visit – they can contract Kennel cough.

Kennel cough is a respiratory infection that can be treated with antibiotics, depending on the severity of the infection. It causes your dog to have a nasty cough, which is very uncomfortable for the dog and irritating for the owner!

Feeding

There are many different ways that you can feed your dog, whether it be 2 small meals a day, 1 large meal or ad-lib.

The most important thing is that it suits you and your dog, and your dog is healthy. Diet plays a massive part in your dog’s health, and it’s important to feed him a diet that is correct for his breed, size and life stage. At South Wales Vets we stock Specific and Eukanuba diets. They offer a variety of diets for all stages of life but at an affordable cost.

Even though adult dogs are fine to have 1 large meal a day, puppies are very different. It’s best to spread your puppy’s daily food allowance over 3 - 4 small meals per day, this is because they need a lot of nutrients to help them grow and simply cannot intake enough in 1 large meal. They must also be on a puppy diet as this contains higher amounts of the nutrients that they require, while adult diets are much lower.

We offer a puppy package which includes: 

  • 1st and 2nd vaccine
  • kennel cough vaccine
  • microchip
  • 1 x flea treatment
  • 1 x wormer

Please contact the branch you would like to visit to make an appointment.

Worming

Worming your dog is extremely important to protect not only your dog against unwanted parasites, but also yourself.

Worming your dog is extremely important to protect not only your dog against unwanted parasites, but also yourself. We use a veterinary licensed, dog-specific wormer in South Wales Vets, which will protect your dog against the following worms:

  • Roundworm
  • Hookworm
  • Whipworm
  • Tapeworm
  • Heartworm

The dog wormer we use at South Wales Vets can be given to puppies from 2 weeks of age, which is extremely important as puppies are highly susceptible to worms, and some can be passed to puppies from their Mother.

Nursing bitches can be treated safely with our choice of dog wormer. We recommend the following worming schedule:

  • Puppies from 2 to 12 weeks – worm every 2 weeks
  • Puppies from 12 weeks to 6 months – worm monthly
  • Dogs from 6 months old - worm every 3 months as a minimum

If you have small children in your house hold we recommend monthly worming for all dogs until the children are old enough to wash their hands after playing with the dog, to prevent eggs being ingested.

We also recommend that you bring your dog in to one of our branches for a Free weight check every time you require worm tablets as their dosage requirements will change as they get bigger. Once they are fully grown weight checks every 3 months are sufficient.

We offer a puppy package which includes: 

  • 1st and 2nd vaccine
  • kennel cough vaccine
  • microchip
  • 1 x flea treatment
  • 1 x wormer

Please contact the branch you would like to visit to make an appointment.

Neutering

At South Wales Vets we have a strong belief in neutering all pets to prevent unwanted litters. We work closely with a number of different charities to help encourage people into neutering, and neutering early.

We neuter dogs from 6 months of age, and cats from 16 weeks. This is because cats can breed from a much earlier age than dogs, and are usually pregnant by the time owners realise they can breed. 

We do not spay bitches in season. This is because it can cause complications during surgery and added risks to your dog’s health, we will spay them 12 weeks post-season. Males can be castrated any time after the 6 month mark. Many people do not believe in castrating males, however neutering can prevent many health problems in dogs and also prevent many behavioural issues. Please visit www.dogstrust.org.uk for more information.

When dogs and cats are neutered, they will have stitches that need to be removed in 10 - 14 days and a buster collar to prevent them pulling out their stitches (not male cats).

To book your dog or cat in please contact the branch you would like to visit. 

We offer a puppy package which includes: 

  • 1st and 2nd vaccine
  • kennel cough vaccine
  • microchip
  • 1 x flea treatment
  • 1 x wormer

Please contact the branch you would like to visit to make an appointment.

Dental

Dental care in animals is a very important area to keep on top of. You can do this by bringing your pet in for a dental check in any of our branches and getting some advice on the dental care that your pet requires. Starting early on in your pet’s life will help to prevent the majority of dental issues that older pets now face.

We have many dental kits available for both cats and dogs which include a small toothbrush, a finger brush and a tube of toothpaste that is flavoured like fish for cats and meat for dogs to encourage them to enjoy it. Daily or at least weekly brushing can help prevent them needing a general anaesthetic and full blown dental when they are older and at a higher risk from anaesthetics.

If an older pet does require dental treatment, we can offer a pre-anaesthetic blood test to ensure that the liver and kidney function is at a high enough level to support the body under an anaesthetic.

Rabbits require things to chew on, such as blocks of wood. This helps them to wear down their front and back teeth. If they do not get worn down they can become overgrown, causing health problems due to them not being able to eat. Overgrowing teeth is a common problem in rabbits, and can be treated by having the teeth burred off every couple of months if chewing doesn’t help.

Microchipping

South Wales Vets recommend that all pets are microchipped, especially dogs and cats. Microhipping is a wonderful way of ensuring that if your pet gets lost and found, it can be traced back to you. Collars and tags can get lost and broken, but once microchipped it stays under their skin for life.

The microchip is placed under the skin between the shoulder blades with a microchip “gun”, the gun has a long sharp disposable needle on the end that goes under the skin, but is thick enough to allow the microchip to pass through. It is a very quick process, and usually only takes a couple of seconds.

The microchip can be read through a microchip reader, which when passed over the microchip lets of a loud beep and displays an identification number. This number is then entered into a database which brings up your details. This means that you can change your details as many times as required, but we never have to microchip your pet again.

We offer the microchip as part of our puppy and kitten pack’s, and recommend Microchipping as soon as possible before you start to allow your pet outside.

We offer a puppy package which includes:

  • 1st and 2nd vaccine
  • kennel cough vaccine
  • microchip
  • 1 x flea treatment
  • 1 x wormer

Please contact the branch you would like to visit to make an appointment.

Fleas

At South Wales Vets we use a Veterinary Licensed flea treatment for all of our cats and dogs, and give it as the flea treatment in our kitten and puppy packs.

We use a spot-on treatment that is dosed based on your pet's weight, so is very accurate and runs no risk of under or over dosing your pet. We also stock a palatable tablet product that protects your dog for 3 months aginast fleas and ticks. 

If your pet already has fleas it is very likely that they are also in your home. We would therefore recommend a household spray such as Indorex which we sell in the branches.

We offer a puppy package which includes: 

  • 1st and 2nd vaccine
  • kennel cough vaccine
  • microchip
  • 1 x flea treatment
  • 1 x wormer

Please contact the branch you would like to visit to make an appointment.

Fat Fighters

Like the rest of us, our pets often overindulge and it's never too late to think about a weight loss regime. There are several health risks associated with overweight pets including diabetes, heart disease and joint problems.

Like the rest of us, our pets often overindulge and it's never too late to think about a weight loss regime.

There are several health risks associated with overweight pets including diabetes, heart disease and joint problems. Often weight loss can be achieved with simple steps such as reducing treats and adding in extra walks. Some animals find it more difficult to lose the weight and we may advise starting a prescriptions weight loss diet to aid the weight loss.

Have a look at your pet, is their tummy sagging? Can you see an obvious waist line? Can you feel any ribs? Please come and have a chat with one of our vets or nurses to discuss a weight loss plan. We like to get to know our patients and owners well to come up with the best plan for you. We advise regular free weight checks and chats to monitor progress and give support. As your pet begins to lose weight the benefits can be seen quite quickly with an increase in vitality and energy.

In some cases excess weight may be due to a medical problem such as low thyroid levels. This can be screened for with a simple blood test.

We offer a puppy package which includes: 

  • 1st and 2nd vaccine
  • kennel cough vaccine
  • microchip
  • 1 x flea treatment
  • 1 x wormer

Please contact the branch you would like to visit to make an appointment.

Pet Travel Scheme

Does your pet deserve a holiday? The Pet Travel Scheme has been under operation for about 10 years and allows your pet to travel with you between affiliated countries without the need for quarantine.

The rules have recently changed and there is no longer a blood test required.

Step 1: Get your pet microchipped.

Step 2: Come in for a health check and a Rabies Vaccination with one of our “LVI” Vets. We can then issue your pet’s passport.

Step 3: Your pet may travel 21 days after the rabies vaccination. NB some transport operatives will require a health check prior to travel.

Step 4: A tapeworm treatment is required before travel back to the UK by an affiliated vet.

We would always advise all vaccinations are up to date prior to travel as well as routine flea and worm treatments.

For all travel enquiry's please contact us on our designated email address: travel@southwalesvets.co.uk. Please note we cannot deal with any travel enquiry's direct in any of the branches.  If you are planning to travel to a country outside of the PETS Travel Scheme please contact DEFRA (08459 33 55 77).

Lungworm

Lungworm is caused by the parasite Angiostrongylus Vasorum. It is an emerging disease especially prevalent in South Wales with increasing numbers of dogs being diagnosed. The fox is the natural host however it is passed on to domestic dogs. It cannot be passed from dog to dog and must pass via an intermediate host of a slug or snail.

Mature worms live in the pulmonary artery and lay eggs which pass into the lungs via the bloodstream. Eggs develop into larvae which are coughed up, swallowed and passed out in faeces. They are then taken up by the slug to develop further before being ingested by a dog.

Even if your dog does not eat slugs or snails they can ingest the larvae from picking up a toy or stick from the garden or drinking contaminated water.  

Dogs of any age can be affected but most cases appear in younger dogs in spring and autumn.

Symptoms: Symptoms can be very varied often involving the cardiac and respiratory systems. Common symptoms are bleeding, vomiting, coughing, difficulty breathing and weight loss. In some cases it can be life threatening.  

Diagnosis: This can be difficult-faecal samples can be taken to look for larvae.

Treatment: We prescribe a veterinary licensed spot-on product for the treatment of lungworm

Prevention: South Wales Vets stock the one veterinary prescribed treatment that is licensed for lungworm prevention. The treatment should be applied monthly and will also treat for fleas, roundworms and other internal and external parasites. It does not treat for tapeworm so treatment with a broad spectrum wormer is advised at least every 3 months.

We offer a puppy package which includes: 

  • 1st and 2nd vaccine
  • kennel cough vaccine
  • microchip
  • 1 x flea treatment
  • 1 x wormer

Please contact the branch you would like to visit to make an appointment.

Dry Eye

Dry eye; medically know as Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS), is a common condition which often goes undiagnosed.

Any dog can be affected however it is commonly seen in West Highland White Terriers, Yorkshire Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Bulldogs and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Tears act as a lubricant for the eyes and also act to wash out particles which may blow in. In dry eye there is a lack of these tears so problems can occur which may be painful for your pet such as ulcers on the surface of the eye.

Symptoms: Early symptoms are inflammation and redness of the eyes which may respond initially to eye drops although will often recur. As symptoms progress you may notice mucous strings across the eyes and at later stages the eye can look dull and dry without the normal sheen. In some cases blindness can occur.

Causes: There are various causes such as the animal’s immune system destroying the tear glands, congenital reasons animals are born with or certain infections.

Diagnosis: Dry eye is easily diagnosed in 60 seconds. A special paper strip called a schirmer tear test is applied between the eye and lower eyelid. This is well tolerated by most pets. The tears will travel up the strip and the distance travelled analysed.

Treatment: Unfortunately there is not usually a cure however the condition can be managed to try and improve comfort levels and reduce complications.

  1. Artificial tears - this can be quite time consuming and require application several times throughout the day.
  2. Eye drops to stimulate tear production - this is applied to the eyes twice daily and prevents the immune system destroying the tear production. This is the ideal treatment of choice.

Prognosis: This can vary depending on initial causes however many animals respond very well. If you are concerned or have a predisposed breed and would like to book in for a free schirmer tear test please contact your local South Wales Vets branch.

We offer a puppy package which includes: 

  • 1st and 2nd vaccine
  • kennel cough vaccine
  • microchip
  • 1 x flea treatment
  • 1 x wormer

Please contact the branch you would like to visit to make an appointment.