DOG INFORMATION SHEET

NUTRITION

To provide an adequate growth we advise a high quality commercial pet food.
A puppy can be weaned to dog food as from 30 to 40 days old. Ideally they should be fed a specific puppy food until they are 12 months old. As from then they should eat specific adult food.
You should feed your puppy at least 3 times daily and always provide fresh water. When they are adults they should have two meals per day. Try to avoid long walks after a meal, specially if you have a large breed dog , since there is a risk for them to develop a gastric torsion which is an emergency.

INTESTINAL PARASITES (WORMS)

Young animals commonly have parasites and they need to be treated every 2 weeks until they are 3 months old. As adults the parasites come mainly from the fleas. We advise treating them every 3 months if the dog has close contact with small children, otherwise twice yearly treatments are recommended.

FLEAS AND TICKS

These are common ectoparasites and can be responsible for a wide range of diseases in the dog.

Fleas; there are several products on the market. Spot- on presentations are very easy to use. Remember to treat your dog every month, even in winter. Fleas can be responsible for many skin disorders. When you treat your animal don't forget the environment, 90% of the fleas are not on the dog but in the environment, in their egg and worm stages!!!

Ticks; There are different products on the market for ticks as well. It is important to prevent tick infestations because they can transmit several very serious diseases. Consult us on the best option for your pet.

LEISHMANIOSIS

This is a serious systemic disease that is transmitted by a mosquito (Phlebotomus spp.) mainly during the summer months. The incidence in Ibiza (as in the rest of the Mediterranean) is very high. Complete prevention is impossible but the following guidelines should be followed:

-Keep your pet indoors at night time ( mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn) with a mosquito plug and a small diameter netting covering the windows.

-Use a mosquito repellant on your pet, either as a collar or as a spot-on. Please consult us for more information.

-Bring your pet in for a blood test in October (after the transmission season). Early detection can influence the outcome.

DIROFILARIOSIS (HEART WORM)

Dirofilaria immitis is a parasite that can be found in the heart of affected dogs. It is transmitted by a mosquito and the incidence in Ibiza is growing. Fortunately this can be prevented with appropriate treatment. Please consult us for more information.

MICROCHIP

It is very important (and compulsory in Spain) to identify your dog with a microchip. This is inserted under the skin on the left side of the neck using a special injection device. When a microchip reader is passed over the neck of your dog a number will be displayed. This number is associated to your details in the central data base of the Balearics (Colegio Oficial de Veterinarios de las Islas Baleares). It is very important to keep your details updated and remember to notify us of any change in your telephone number or address (this is a free service).


VACCINES

Your dog should not be allowed outdoors nor in contact with unvaccinated dogs until he has received all his /her vaccines (usually as from 3 months old).We recommend vaccinations for:

Parvovirus; severe gastrointestinal disease caused by a virus. In very young animals it can affect the muscle of the heart.
The vaccine can be given as soon as 45 days of age (high risk groups) and then they receive a booster when they are 2 and 3 months old. Adults receive annual boosters.

Distemper; virus that causes a disease that can affect the respiratory system, gastrointestinal system or the nervous system. In young animals the course is usually fatal.
Vaccines are administered when the puppy is 2 and 3 months old. Adults receive annual boosters.

Hepatitis; viral disease that causes liver damage. It can also affect the respiratory, digestive, urinary or nervous system.
As for Distemper the immunizations are given at 2 and 3 months of age and then annually.

Leptospirosis; it is a bacterial disease that usually affects the kidneys, liver and the clotting system. It is not very common but it can pass from dog to human.
Vaccines are given at 2 and 3 months of age and then, in Ibiza, annually.

Kennel cough; several virus and bacteria are responsible for this disease. The dog usually has a very dry and severe cough and you may notice an increase in salivation. All animals that are going to go into kennels or those more sensitive to this disease (brachycephalic breeds- bulldog, boxer..) should be vaccinated yearly.
Rabies, rabies vaccine is compulsory in the Balearic Islands. The vaccine is given at 3 months of age and then annual boosters are administered.

DENTAL HYGENE

Dental care is highly important, especially in small breed dogs. You can teach your puppy to tolerate this procedure. There are special tooth pastes on the market for pets, this will help to delay dental disease.
Please consult us for further information.

SPAY/NEUTER

Spay/neuter is a routine procedure that we recommend for all animals that are not going to be used for breeding. We will be preventing many diseases and also help control the population of unwanted/homeless animals on the island.
It can be done at any age however we recommend to do it when they are about 6 months old, that is before the first heat in the bitch and queen, to prevent hormonal complications and old enough to reduce the anesthetic risk to a minimum.

Please do not hesitate to consult us for any further information you may require.