Caring for your new puppy

At Rowan we are committed to using the best vaccines available. An initial course of 3 injections is given with the 2nd of these being given at 10 weeks of age or older.

Your puppy is free to go for its first ‘proper’ walk one week after the 2nd injection but we advise avoiding standing water for a further two weeks after this. It is important to boost this vaccination annually to maintain protection.

Additionally, usually at ‘2nd Vaccination’, we offer vaccination against Kennel Cough, which is also then boosted yearly. This highly infectious disease causes an unpleasant dry hacking cough that typically lasts about a month. It is very common and your puppy does not need to go to kennels to catch it!

Download our advice on Dog Vaccinations – The What And The Why and Contagious Canine Cough – Kennel Cough

All dogs are liable to catch fleas if they are not treated regularly. With central heating creating an ideal environment for fleas, treatment is required all year round.

At Rowan Vets, we recommend NexGard Spectra chew.  This covers for fleas, ticks, lungworm, roundworm, hookworm, whipworm, heartworm, demodex and sarcoptes in a monthly tasty chew.  We recommend Milbemax to protect from tapeworm given every six months.

Why not check your pet’s parasite risk using this handy RISK CHECKER TOOL

Beware: Many pet-shop products are not effective at treating fleas.

Download our advice on  Fleas – The Facts

Puppies need to be wormed every 2 weeks until 12 weeks of age, then monthly until 6 months old and then every 3 or 6 months months for life depending on the type of flea protection you use.  Please ask the team for further advice.

Worms can be dangerous to pets. They also pose a risk to humans, particularly children; some may even cause blindness. You do not need to see adult worms for your pet to be infected as most animals only shed the eggs in their faeces. For this reason, always make sure you ‘Scoop the Poop’ when your pet is in public areas.

At Rowan Vets, we recommend NexGard Spectra chew.  This covers for fleas, ticks, lungworm, roundworm, hookworm, whipworm, heartworm, demodex and sarcoptes in a monthly tasty chew.  We recommend Milbemax to protect from tapeworm given every six months.

Why not check your pet’s parasite risk using this handy RISK CHECKER TOOL

Download our Worm advice

It is a legal requirement for every dog in the UK to have a microchip by the age of 8 weeks.

Having your puppy microchipped takes just a couple of minutes and means that they can be returned to you if found.

Microchips are also necessary for identification when travelling abroad. Learn more about microchipping.

For breeders who require litters to be microchipped and vaccinated before they go to their forever homes, we require the following in order to provide the service:

• Photographic identification.
• Proof of address to confirm breeder’s address.
• Proof of microchip (if already microchipped at the time of vaccination).

Failure to provide the necessary identification at the time of the appointment will mean we are unable to provide the service requested.

We will not provide a vaccination service to litters who are either not microchipped at the time of vaccination OR who will not be microchipped by us at the time of vaccination.

At Rowan Vets we are big fans of pet insurance. Owning a puppy can be expensive as it is, but unexpected treatment costs can be very unwelcome and sometimes, sadly, unaffordable. With good pet insurance you can rest assured that your furry friend is covered for most, if not all eventualities and we do recommend a “Lifetime” policy.

We do direct claims with some insurance companies.  Please ask the team for further information on this service.

Read our advice on the different types of pet insurance

Download our advice on The Importance Of Pet Insurance

Our Puppy Socialization classes – next class begins on 5th October 2022

The socialization period for your puppy is between 3 – 14 weeks. During this period, behaviours are established that will continue for life so it is really important to start training early.

Try to introduce him or her to as many everyday experiences and (trusted) fully vaccinated pets as you can. For example, use the hoover around them and start grooming early. Before your puppy is old enough to go for walks, he or she can be carried in your arms to experience things like traffic.  Download your puppy socialization checklist HERE

To help you make the most of this crucial period we run an evening Puppy Socialization Class, which is open to all puppies who have had their first vaccine and are under 14 weeks old. Your questions will be answered (such as ‘what should I do about toilet training?!’) by a qualified veterinary nurse and a retired guide dog trainer. Friendly advice is offered regarding all of the issues on this page and much more. In addition to this, all attending puppies receive a welcome pack full of goodies. Plus, it’s always good when our dogs associate the vets with having fun!  You can download the full programme HERE

Classes are held at our main practice on Hillock Lane, on Wednesday evening from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.  The cost of the programme is £40 and you will need to be a registered client to access the programme.  Please ensure that you are able to attend all sessions as refunds will not be given for any missed classes.  Payment is due at the time of booking to secure your place.

Contact the team via PetsApp or by calling 01772 639800 to book your spot!

“Thoroughly enjoyed it- very informative, relaxed and helpful. Amy & Lynn had time for everyone’s questions and problems… very useful tips and advice for new and experienced owners plus good socialization for pups”

Amanda Hargreaves with Harry

Initially, your puppy will need their daily feed requirement split into 3 – 4 meals a day. It is important for development to feed a puppy diet for at least the first 6 – 9 months and larger breeds may need a junior diet for a period after this.

We recommend Hills Vet Essentials, which is a good quality dry diet, and is fed with the estimated adult weight in mind. Specific advice is found on the side of the packet.

Remember, every puppy is an individual and our regular free weight checks are the best way to stay on track.

It is ideal to get your puppy into the habit of having his or her teeth brushed once a day. In addition, a dry diet is better for dental health than a wet diet and there are dietary treats/supplements available, such as Hills, which can be given. Beware of products with a high calorie content!

Read more about dental care.

Download our advice on Canine Dental Care

In the UK, it is routine to neuter unless you plan to breed from your dog. Please note that once your dog has been neutered he or she will need less food!

For bitches, we advise spaying around 3 months after the first season, which usually occurs between 9 and 14 months. Spaying avoids unwanted pregnancy and removes the inconvenience associated with a season. It also prevents the development of pyometra (pus in the uterus) and reduces the risk of mammary cancer. Both of these conditions can be life threatening. Particularly in bitches neutered before their first season there is a small risk of urinary incontinence developing, which can usually be treated medically.

For male dogs, we advise castrating at around 6 months, which also prevents unwanted pregnancies and has potential health benefits. Done at this early age, castration usually reduces non-desirable behaviours such as marking, aggression, sexual activity, and roaming.

We offer a free neutering consultation to allow owners to ask questions and to assess for your pet’s specific needs.

Read more about neutering.