Complete health care of dogs includes flea control, heartworm prevention, and regular worming for other intestinal parasites. De-sexing and sterilisation can be done as early as 12 weeks of age and is usually recommended prior to puberty. Pet health insurance is worth considering as it covers those unexpected events that may occur from time to time.

There are four major infectious diseases of dogs, distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and kennel cough, the first three of which are often fatal. Treatment is difficult, expensive and often unsuccessful, however vaccination provides a very effective means of preventing all of these diseases. Again, your vet will advise you of an appropriate vaccination program to protect your dog from these infections.

There are four major intestinal worms, which infect dogs; roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms. See your veterinarian for their advice on programs to control these parasites. Regular treatment for intestinal worms is also an essential part of health care prevention; not only in caring for the health of your pet but to protect your family from the human health risks associated with some roundworms.