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01527 67402or Email:
reception@specialfriends.co.ukSee our
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Congratulations on your new arrival! Here is some basic information to get you started.
If you are looking for advice on purchasing a puppy, please see our Useful Links page, or pop in for a chat with one of our nurses.
Even if your puppy has already had vaccinations with their previous owner we would advise making an appointment for a health check with one of our vets, as once we’ve officially met the new family member we can start to dispense medications and give the right advice.
Vaccinations are usually started at 8 weeks old, with the second one being given from at least 10 weeks of age.
Sometimes your puppy might have had a first vaccine before they came home to you. We use ‘Canigen’ vaccines here which are also compatible with ‘Nobivac’ vaccines, and carry some stock of other brands. Please check when you book your second vaccine what brand has been used, so we can advise as to the right timing of your appointment. If the timing or brand are not right, please do not worry, as the vaccination course can be restarted without harm to your puppy.
As your puppy loses protection from their mother at 12wks old, it’s very important to get vaccinations organised as soon as possible. Please see our Dog Vaccinations page for more information.
All puppies will likely come with some roundworms that they have picked up from their mother, and sometimes they will also have fleas. We have a variety of different products to use depending on the age and weight of your puppy, which your vet will advise you about at your vaccine appointment. We recommend treatment at least once a month, which can be done through our free Weigh&Worm checks with the nurses. Please see our Dog Parasites page for more details.
Neutering is called spaying in females and is the removal of the ovaries and uterus. In males it is called castration, and is the removal of the testicles. It is recommended for a number of reasons including:
Neutering can usually be done from 6 months old, although this can vary depending on the breed and size of your dog. Please speak to your vet or nurse to find out if neutering is right for your pet.
Microchipping is compulsory by law for all dogs over 8 weeks of age. It will be done at first vaccination at 8 weeks if your puppy comes to you before that age, or should be done by your breeder if the puppy is over 8 weeks when they arrive home.
It is your responsibility to make sure the details are up to date; please let us know if you need any help with this.
Microchipping can be done by the nurse or vet.
We stock ‘mini chips’ for dogs who are not expected to grow over 10kg.
Feeding your puppy can be a surprisingly tricky thing, as there are so many different types of food out there, and lots of conflicting advice. We are here to help you with this! We do not stock or sell any one brand of food, so any advice you are given you can trust as being our impartial and educated opinion.
We recommend feeding a complete dry diet for your puppy which is suitable for their age and breed. At your first appointment we can provide examples and samples of this type of food, and advice on how much to feed. If you would like to bring in whatever food your puppy is having already, we will be more than happy to advise on how much to feed.
We do not recommend feeding raw meat diets, as this is not a balanced diet for a growing animal (resulting in health issues in later life), and puts you, your family and your pet at risk of serious diseases from Salmonella, Campylobacter, E.coli, Listeria and types of worms. We understand that raw feeding is becoming increasingly popular, and are more than happy to discuss any questions you might have about the advice we give.
We would recommend a training class for all puppies even for the most experienced dog owner; after all, they’ve never been to school before! Training when a dog is young helps set up good behaviours that last for life, making them more confident and relaxed, and a happier dog at home and at the vets.
Some dog training classes accept puppies from after their first vaccination, and it’s always worth getting in touch as soon as you can as good classes often have waiting lists.
Please ask at reception if you have any questions.
We would recommend you look into an insurance policy for your puppy, so that any treatment decisions can be made based on what is best for them rather than worrying about unexpected costs. We can offer an introduction to Petplan to give your puppy 4 weeks of free cover. Please see the Insurance page for more details, or ask any member of staff.