How do I worm my pet?

It is recommended to worm your pet every 3 months to prevent them getting worms. We offer a range of products to suit you and your pet.

Drontal & Endoguard are known as ‘all-wormers’. They are tablets which range in size and are for use in cats and dogs.

Advocate treats fleas as well worms, but is ineffective against tapeworm. It comes in a pipette and can be applied to the skin on the back of your pet’s neck, between the shoulder blades. Advocate is available for cats and dogs.

Broadline is specifically designed for cats. It’s an all-in-one liquid that aids in the prevention of worms, fleas and ticks. It comes in a syringe and is to be applied on the back of the neck between the shoulder blades.

We offer a worming program that saves you having to think about when your pet is due to be wormed by sending the tablets directly to you! Find out more here

Why do I need to microchip my puppy?

A microchip is a small device that will be placed under your dog’s skin and when scanned will read a unique code, which will be matched to your details (remember to update them if they change!). The insertion process is fast and relatively painless.

Once the microchip is inserted it is instantly put on to our system and will also be on a local database when your register your puppy with the local council.

There is another optional database, the New Zealand Companion Animal Register, or C.A.R. It is strongly recommended that you register with this database as all veterinary practices and the SPCA have 24 hour access, ensuring that if something was to happen to your pup you would be contacted without delay and be reunited with your pet.

Should I microchip my cat?

Definitely! Cats love to wander which can lead to them getting lost, or accidentally hit by a vehicle. All cats that we microchip are registered on the National Companion Animal database. This means that if your cat is found and handed in to a vet clinic or the SPCA, it will be rapidly reunited with you if it has a microchip.

How can I stop my pet getting fleas?

How do I go about vaccinating my cat/kitten?

When your kitten is 8 weeks old it will need to start getting vaccinations. It will get three doses 3-4 weeks apart.

The main vaccination will cover: Feline Herpes, Calicivirus and Panleucopenia. It is highly recommended but optional to vaccinate against Feline Aids (FIV). We can also vaccinate against Feline Leukaemia and Chlamydia.

After your kitten has had all its boosters, it will need to be updated. These will need to be one to three years apart, depending on the brand of vaccination.

Will the vaccinations make my cat sick?

The vaccinations themselves will not cause the diseases for which they are vaccinating against, but sometimes may cause swelling, pain, fever or lethargy for a few days after the vaccination. In rare cases allergic reactions may be seen.

Why does my cat get snuffles even though it’s fully vaccinated?!

Whilst no vaccination is 100% effective, if a cat gets snuffles it will usually be milder and shorter in duration. Many kittens contract snuffles virus from their mothers prior to weaning, which can flare up in times of stress.

How do I go about vaccinating my puppy/dog?

From 8 weeks of age puppies will get 3 vaccinations 3 – 4 weeks apart. The core vaccination they receive covers: Canine Parvovirus, Canine Distemper virus, Canine Adenovirus type 2 & Canine Parainfluenza virus. It is highly recommended to vaccinate against Leptospirosis (Lepto), and optional to vaccinate against kennel cough.

Do I have to vaccinate every year?

This depends on the vaccination and the brand. The Lepto and kennel cough vaccinations need yearly boosters, whereas the core vaccination needs a booster every two to three years, or alternatively a blood test can be done to determine if a booster is needed for parvovirus and distemper.

Will vaccinating my puppy/dog make it sick?

Occasionally there may be swelling around the injection site, slight discomfort, fever, lethargy or loss of appetite for a day or two after vaccination. In rare cases, an allergic reaction may occur. Sometimes a cough can develop after a kennel cough vaccination.

At what age can my pet be desexed?

Cats: Kittens need to weigh over 800g. Female kittens are usually spayed around 6 months of age or younger. Male kittens are castrated when both testes are present which is usually by 6 months of age.

Dogs: Current advice about the age of desexing puppies varies according to the breed. In general female puppies are usually spayed from 6 months of age. Male puppies are castrated when both testes are present, usually between 5 – 6 months. However, our vets will advise you about the best age to have these procedures done, according to the breed of dog you have.