There are many different parasites that can cause sickness in your puppy and it is important to start the prevention early. Common parasites include heartworm, intestinal worms and external dog parasites.
Heartworm prevention
Heartworm disease is a serious disease that can cause severe lung disease and heart failure. The risk of puppies getting heartworm disease is equal to that of adult dogs. Puppies can be started on a heartworm preventive starting from 8 weeks of age. The dosage of a heartworm medication is based on body weight. There are different heartworm preventives that you can give to your puppy such as monthly chewable tablet, monthly spot-on product or a sustained-release injectable preventive that is available for dogs over 6 months of age. It is important to give heartworm prevention on time as a missed or late given medication can leave your puppy unprotected. Consult your veterinarian if a heartworm test is needed prior to starting heartworm prevention.
Intestinal parasites prevention
Hookworms, tapeworms, roundworms and whipworms are the most common worms found in puppies. Worms can cause diarrhoea, anemia and weight loss. Puppies can be dewormed every 2 weeks until 3 months of age, starting at 2 weeks old. Then once a month from 3 to 6 months of age and repeat every 3 months after 6 months old for life.
Flea and tick prevention
Fleas and ticks are very common in Hong Kong. They can cause a variety of conditions from skin disease, allergies and to severe anemias. It is important to use effective products that can control flea and tick infestation. Dogs that go to tick-infested areas are at higher risk. There are different products such as spray, spot-on and tick collar. Please consult your veterinarian for more information regarding which product is suitable for your pet.
If your pets are in an emergency or if you have general inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact Veterinary Emergency Centre.
General Hotline: 2334-2334
24-Hour Emergency Hotline: 6828-6620
