Preventative care
We would love to welcome you to the South Dublin Vets family, where your pet is cared for like one of our own.
Prevention is better than cure
Neutering
Neutering/Spaying carries health benefits for animals. We recommend that this be performed from 6 months for cats and dogs and from 4 months for Rabbits.
Neutering helps to minimize the risk for cancers of the mammary glands and reproductive organs in females and reduces the risk of testicular cancer and prostate problems in the male.
Neutered female cats are more relaxed playful and affectionate while neutered males are calmer and less likely to ‘spray’ or urine mark their territory, wander away from their home or fight.
Vaccinations
It is very important to get your pets vaccinated and to ensure they are kept up to date. We vaccinate dogs, cats and rabbits against a range of contagious diseases.
Dogs
Dogs are vaccinated against Distemper, Parvovirus, Kennel Cough and Leptospirosis.
Puppy Vaccine schedule;
- First vaccine should be given at 6 weeks of age
- Second vaccine should be given at 10 weeks ( there should be between 2 -4 weeks between doses, no longer)
- You may provide your puppy with a third vaccine at 15 weeks to ensure maximum protection.
We recommend that a booster vaccine be given annually to ensure continued protection.
Cats
Cats are vaccinated against Feline Calicivirus, Rhinotracheitis, Panleukopenia and Leukaemia.
Kitten Vaccine Schedule;
- First vaccine should be given at 8 weeks of age
- Second Vaccine should be given at 12 weeks (there should be 3 – 4 weeks between doses, no longer)
We recommend that a booster vaccine be given annually to ensure continued protection.
Rabbits
Rabbits are vaccinated against Myxomatosis and should be given their first dose from 7 weeks of age.
Tick, Flea & Worm
Our pets can unfortunately pick up lots of different parasites and it is important that we treat them regularly to keep them free and clear of them.
Many puppies and kittens have roundworms and sometimes a parasite called Giardra. All animals can pick up fleas from each other and from just being outside.
Dogs of all ages can pick up lungworm from slugs and snails in the garden which can prove fatal so it is very important that any treatment for dogs includes cover for this.
When your puppy and kitten is with us for their first visit, we will ensure that they get the right treatment.
For all adult cats, we recommend monthly or three-monthly spot-on applications that will cover them for all parasites.
For all Adult dogs, we recommend a tablet that is given monthly. This will protect them against all internal and external parasites.
We are more than happy to answer any questions you may have concerning the treatments above.