Dogs General Health
Vaccination For Dogs
Puppies and dogs are at risk from a number of serious infections. However, they can be protected from most of these diseases by a simple vaccination program.
As both dogs and their owners are very mobile it is likely that your pet will come into contact with infections present in unvaccinated puppies and dogs or in the environment.
Vaccination is a cost effective way of protecting your dog or puppy against serious disease and the possible high costs involved in their treatment.
All the vaccines we use are made to the highest standards of safety and effectiveness. Puppies and dogs can be protected from the following infectious diseases by vaccination:
6 weeks
- Canine Parvovirus
- Canine Hepatitis
- Canine Distemper
12 weeks
- Canine Parvovirus
- Canine Hepatitis
- Canine Distemper
- Canine (Kennel) Cough
16 weeks
- Canine Parvovirus
- Canine Hepatitis
- Canine Distemper
- Canine (Kennel) Cough
Viruses
Canine Parvovirus
Canine Parvovirus causes severe, debilitating disease in dogs of all ages. Young puppies are most susceptible to infection and the development of severe disease. Dogs and puppies can die within days of contracting the disease.
Signs of Canine Parvovirus infection include vomiting, diarrhoea (usually containing blood), severe abdominal pain and depression. Canine Parvovirus can remain in the environment for over 12 months.
Canine Kennel Cough
KC is mostly caused by Bordetella Bronchiseptica and Parainfluenza virus. The vaccination is very effective if done once a year, but if there is high exposure to these organisms every six months is recommended. The disease causes a tracheobroncitis with almost constant coughing. With treatment the disease can take 7 to 10 days to improve. We recommend that you vaccinate your dog against KC just before it goes to kennels.
Canine Distemper
Canine Hepatitis
The virus is passed by contact with infected dogs and through contact with the urine of infected dogs. It can continue to infect dogs for months after apparent recovery from disease. This virus can also cause long-term kidney and liver problems in older dogs.
The most common worms that infect dogs and cats are Roundworm, Hookworm, Whipworm, Flea Tapeworm and Hydatid Tapeworm. To control these worms it is necessary to have a regular worming routine.
We recommend regular worming at least every three months.
2-8 Weeks
Frequency
Worm every 2 weeks
2-3 Months
Frequency
Worm every month
4 Months +
Frequency
Worm every 3 months
Contact us to get the appropriate wormer for your pets body weight
Heart Worm Prevention
Adult female worms in the dog’s heart produce microscopic embryonic microfilariae which circulate in the peripheral blood. After ingestion, the microfilariae migrate from the mosquito’s midgut, undergo development involving two moults, and after a period of two weeks the infective third stage larvae migrate towards the mosquito’s head. The infected mosquito will then transfer the larvae during feeding on a dog or cat. Following their penetration into the final host, the third stage larvae migrate through body tissue where they develop into fourth stage larvae, then immature adults which finally reach the heart via the venous system. Adults mature in about 6 months and are found in the heart and major vessels. The adults mate, and the female produces millions of microfilariae to circulate in the peripheral blood to renew the cycle. The dog can be severely affected, with major vessels becoming blocked with chronic infections. Death usually results in such cases from heart failure.
Products recommended by Hilton Vet Hospital
Flea Control
Adult fleas can cause severe flea bite allergic dermatitis in dogs and cats and can be detrimental to the animals’ health. It is essential to use products that are safe for pets and their owners, but also very effective in killing the adult fleas on the animals. A wide variety of very effective products exist. Your vet can assist you in choosing the right product for your circumstances.
Adult fleas spend most of their time feeding off dogs cats and other small animals. The adults make up only 5 % of the total flea population. The other 95 % consist of flea eggs, larvae and pupae that exist in the area where the animals live. This is usually in and around the house.
As fleas are largely an environmental problem, it is essential to vacuum clean carpets and floors to keep flea eggs and larvae to a minimum. Focus on the low traffic areas, under furniture, around edges of rooms and animal resting places. It is a good idea to spray the areas with a IGR (insect growth regulator) synthetic pyrethroid. The IGR specifically inhibits development of the flea larva stage.
Advantage
Sterilisation
Surgical sterilisation is the preferred way to go because it is a permanent solution to many behavioural issues and prevention of unwanted pregnancies
Chemical sterilisation is temporary and can be done in male dogs to prevent mating for 6 to 12 months. This is done by injecting an implant under the skin that slowly releases a hormone that suppresses the development of testosterone.
At Hilton Vet Hospital, we recommend sterilising both male and female dogs from 6 months of age. Contact us today to find out more and to book your pet in for sterilisation.
Why Sterilise Your Dog?
Surveys indicate that dogs that are not sterilised have an increased risk of being abandoned or surrendered.
In Perth, hundreds of dogs are put down each week and about 20,000-30,000 dogs are destroyed each year. Many more are dumped in areas where their likely fate is death by accident, starvation, disease, or from predators. The numbers escalate over the Christmas and Easter periods.
It is reported that the biggest behavioural effect of sterilisation is the huge reduction in roaming, especially of male dogs. Any reduction in straying dogs has a significant public benefit.
Sterilisation eliminates health problems later in life like prostate enlargement in dogs and infection and cysts of the uterus in bitches.
Ovariohysterectomy (Spay)
Why Sterilising (Spay) My Female Dog?
It stops her from coming on heat
Prevent unwanted pregnancies
Reduce the chance of mammary tumours
Prevent uterus infections
Prevent ovarian cancer
Neutering Or Castration
In this operation, which is performed under general anaesthetic, both testicles are removed, thus removing the source of sperm and the male sex hormone (testosterone).
At Hilton Vet Hospital we recommend to sterilise both male and female dogs from 6 months of age. Contact us today to find out more and to book your pet in for sterilisation.
Why Castrate My Male Dog?
Prevent him making female dogs pregnant
Stop him marking his territory (especially inside the house)
Prevent testicular cancer
Prevent prostate enlargement that can lead to urinary straining.
A sterilisation subsidy from the Fremantle City Council is available for both cats and dogs. Conditions apply. For further information regarding the subsidy telephone the Service and Information Counter on 9432 9899.
What Does The Surgery Involve?
Your pet will be connected to an advanced surgical monitor that allows us to keep a close eye on temperature, heart rate, respiration and oxygen saturation. The surgery is done under total sterile conditions to prevent infections. Your pet will receive triple pain relief to make sure all pain is under control. Pain relief includes an anti-inflammatory that lasts 24 hours, a strong pain killer that last 6 hours and a long acting local anaesthesia that blocks the pain at the surgical site.
Your pet will go home with an Elizabethan collar to prevent her from licking the wound. We also provide pain relief for the next three days. After 2 weeks, the stitches are removed.
Pet Cruciate Surgery
It’s the Cranial Cruciate ligament that ruptures most of the time and when this happen, all stability in the knee is lost. This can happen as an acute sudden tear or a slow degeneration of the ligament.
Acute or sudden tear can happen with an inward rotation of the knee while jumping or turning. It commonly happens after jumping to catch a ball or frisbee. Can also happen with a traumatic incident like a car accident.
Bruce’s Cruciate Surgery Journey
Like Bruce, there are many dogs who experience a torn cruciate ligament. This causes significant instability in the affected rear leg to the point that no pressure can be placed on it. Like Bruce, many dogs have come to Hilton Vet Hospital and have regained athletic ability after treatment and rehabilitation. Here are a few clips to show Bruce’s progress. Within just one week Bruce was up and about with just a small limp.
At Hilton Vet Hospital, we offer two surgical repair techniques to restore stability in the knee:
LFS
MMP
Cruciate Surgery Options Overview
There are two recommended procedures for Cruciate Surgery, LFS and MMP. It is up to the Doctor to determine which method is most suitable for your dog. Below are two videos and PDF that explain the procedures.
MMP: Modified Maquet Procedure for dogs over 25kgs.
We want to see your dog back to athletic ability.
Dog Walking
Dogs need to be kept on a leash in all public places except dog exercise areas.
Dog Exercise Areas Fremantle
- Rocky Bay foreshore, Rule Street, North Fremantle
- North Fremantle foreshore, Johanna Street, North Fremantle
- Beach Street Reserve, Beach Street/Canning Hwy, Fremantle
- *Fremantle Park, Ellen/Ord Street, Fremantle
- Knutsford Street Playground, Knutsford/Swanbourne Street, Fremantle
- Wilson Park, South Terrace/Douro Rd, South Fremantle
- Parmelia Street Reserve, Parmelia/Chester Street, South Fremantle
- *Bruce Lee Reserve, South/Caesar Street, Beaconsfield
- Davis Park, Conway/Edgar Court, Beaconsfield.
- *Hilton Park, Lefroy/Carrington Street, Hilton.
- Griffiths Place Reserve, Griffiths Place/Nicholas Crescent, Hilton
- Grigg Place Park, Grigg Place/Snook Crescent, Hilton
- Sir Frederick Samson Park, Sellenger/McCombe Avenue, Samson
- 8 Horrie Long Reserve, Amherst/Forrest Street, Fremantle-
- *Gibson Park, High/Chudleigh Street, Fremantle
- South Beach Reserve (north of Douro Rd to Sailing Club only), Marine Terrace, South Fremantle.
- Leighton Beach (area north of railway footbridge), Port Beach Rd, North Fremantle
