Providing veterinary care when needed is an essential part of being a responsible dog owner. Your vet can advise you on annual health checks, vaccination schedules, micro-chipping, registration, preventative health care (external and internal parasite prevention), behaviour and desexing.
What are some of the basic health requirement needs for my American Bully?
Vaccination
Worming and Parasite Control
Fleas and Tick Control
Vaccination
Why should you vaccinate your American Bully and puppy?
Dog vaccinations will assist your American Bully with being ensured against probably the most widely recognized diseases and most unsafe and dangerous infections. For young bullies and puppies particularly, it is basic to get the correct vaccinations as indicated by the puppy vaccination calendar to enable develop and help build up their immunity.
Dog vaccinations won’t just only safeguard your bully, they will likewise guarantee your dog can’t contaminate others in their neighbourhood. Early dog vaccinations will likewise enable you to mingle your dog prior with other dogs. An up to date dog vaccination history is frequently required in spots where dogs will nearly associate with one another, for example, boarding pet hotels, dog training classes and doggy day care.
Vaccination is a generally simple undertaking to get sorted out. All vets have the capacity and the gear to rapidly and effectively immunise your pet against the greatest dangers to their wellbeing.
Regardless of whether your bully doesn’t interact with other dogs or you live far from other individuals and pets, immunise ought to be a part of any dog’s wellbeing administration.
Even if your bully doesn’t mix with other dogs or you live far away from other people and pets, immunisation should be an essential part of any dog’s health regime.
Core vaccines are considered essential. In some cases, non-core vaccines could also help in keeping your bully from falling ill, particularly if they are a social pet, live in a certain part of Australia, and are in regular contact with other dogs. It is advised to vaccinate your dog with both core and non-core vaccines, although a consultation with your Vet is necessary before making such decisions.
Core and non-core dog vaccines
In Australia, core vaccines for dogs include:
canine distemper virus
canine adenovirus
canine parvovirus
These vaccines are commonly grouped together in one injection called a ‘C3’ vaccine.
Non-core vaccines include:
parainfluenza virus
bordetella bronchiseptica
leptospira interrogans
Disease prevention
Having your dog vaccinated can help prevent them from the following diseases:
Canine distemper – this fatal disease attacks a dog’s nervous system and can lead to severe damage, including paralysis. Puppies and young dogs are more susceptible to this virus. Thanks to increased vaccination, the disease is not as common as it once was. However, outbreaks can still occur in areas where vaccination rates are low, so ensure your dog gets their vaccines!
Canine adenovirus (hepatitis) – this disease affects the liver, and subsequently the eyes and kidneys. It cannot be transmitted to humans, but is a very serious illness for dogs.
Canine parvovirus – this deadly virus is one of the most common viruses in the world, and is extremely hard to eradicate given that each species has a different version of it. Because maternal antibodies can interfere with the vaccine, it is important for your Vet to determine an appropriate age at which your dog should receive the vaccines.
Parainfluenza virus – this mild respiratory infection is usually transmitted by nasal secretion and is highly contagious. It is not fatal, but being vaccinated against this disease can help prevent your dog from getting other related infections.
Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel or canine cough) – this virus causes a harsh cough and is highly contagious. If your dog is in contact with other dogs, is very young or very old, it will be more at risk of infection. It is usually recommend that the vaccine for kennel cough is given annually.
Canine leptospirosis – this bacterium interferes with proper organ function and can be transmitted to humans. This vaccine is usually given when your dog is young, lives in a relevant geographic area and has a higher chance of infection.
Coronavirus – this dangerous virus is very hard to eradicate and its symptoms are similar to those of the flu.
Rabies – this dangerous and very contagious disease can be fatal to both dogs and humans. It has no known cure and infected animals act as carriers. Although Australia is considered to be rabies-free, it still affects many countries in the world where the vaccine is considered ‘core’, like in the United States. Luckily, this is not the case in Australia, so the vaccine is not necessary unless your dog is planning a trip overseas.
Vaccination Schedules for Puppies and Dogs
The following dog vaccination schedule is based on the recommendation of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA). However, your local vet will advise on the recommended dog vaccination schedule for your pet.
Puppy Vaccination Schedule
1st puppy vaccination: C3 at 6 to 8 weeks
2nd puppy vaccination: C5 at 12 weeks
3rd puppy vaccination: C3 booster at 16 weeks
(Some vaccines are registered for completion in puppies at 10 weeks, meaning a 3rd vaccination would not be required. But this should be up to your vet to guide you through the process.)
1st annual dog vaccination at 15 months
Adult Dog Vaccination Schedule
Annual Canine Cough vaccination
C3 vaccination every 3 years
Your vet may also recommend an annual C5 booster vaccination
Fleas, Ticks, Worms and Parasite Treatment
Consult your vet on products available for worming, flea and or tick control and heartworm prevention.
Worming Your Puppy
Worms are an inevitable part of a puppy’s life, so knowing what to look for and how to treat them is important. Most puppies are born with worms, which is why puppies should be wormed at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 weeks of age, and then every three months for life with an all-wormer. Pregnant and nursing mothers should also be treated during mating, before the birth of their puppies, and every three months.
Worming treatments are easy and effective to use, but it is important to read the label, as you may need to use multiple products to protect your puppy against all types of worms. Heavy worm infestations in puppies should be repeated 10 days after the initial dose is administered. If you’re having problems administering your puppy’s treatment, ask your veterinarian for a demonstration during your next vet consult.
Worm warning signs
- Weakness and listlessness
- Diarrhoea or vomiting
- Weight loss despite a good appetite
- Abnormally swollen stomach
Types of worms
Roundworm can be contracted through infected poo or dirt. This thin, spaghetti-like parasite is around 12cm long and can cause a potbellied appearance. Symptoms may include weight loss, weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea or mucus in the stool, and stunted growth.
Hookworm is one of the most dangerous of all intestinal parasites. It can be transmitted from mothers to puppies before birth or through suckling. You may be able to spot it by observing the level of your puppy’s lethargy, and looking out for symptoms that include anaemia, poor appetite and black tarlike stools that contain blood.
Tapeworm can infect a puppy when it eats its larvae from a host animal, such as a flea or a mouse. There are no obvious symptoms, but small, rice-like segments can be found around their anus or in their stool. Mature tapeworms will cause your puppy to eat more than normal, but with no weight gain.
Whipworm will find its way to your puppy’s digestive tract, causing chronic bowel inflammation. You may notice mucus in the stools and weight loss or diarrhoea.
Coccidia is an organism that can live in your puppy’s intestines. It is sometimes ingested through raw or undercooked meat, including rodents. Symptoms can include diarrhoea, fever, weight loss and loss of appetite.
Heartworm can enter a puppy through the bite of a mosquito. It causes heart or lung damage, coughing, lethargy and fatigue, and can be fatal. Heartworms can be detected through a blood test, and while they are difficult to cure, they are simple to prevent. Ask your vet about treatment.
Ringworm is caused by a fungus that lives on the skin and is extremely contagious – it can even be transmitted to humans. Ringworm appears as oval bare patches on your puppy’s skin. To minimise the risk, avoid unnecessary contact with other dogs. If you suspect your puppy has ringworm, take them to the vet to get checked as ringworm can only be detected under an ultraviolet light. Once detected, your veterinarian will be able to administer the correct treatment.
It is important to treat your puppy during the early stages of their life and maintain this treatment into their adult years. If you have any concerns about treating your puppy for parasites, contact your vet.
Fleas
Fleas are most common in warm humid areas, and while more prolific in summer, they are found year-round in many parts of Australia. Flea bites cause discomfort and distress through itching, and some dogs and cats can develop hypersensitivity or an allergy. Fleas also host tapeworms, infecting your pet if they eat them. Most dogs flea treatment – indoor cats may be an exception.
Your options for flea control include tablets, chews, liquids applied to the back of the animal’s neck (often called spot-ons or line-ons), sprays, collars impregnated with pesticide, powders and shampoos.
Different chemicals have different actions:
Some treat existing fleas only, but act fast, relieving your pet’s immediate misery. But new fleas can jump aboard pretty quickly afterwards.
Some affect adult fleas when they bite the animal – so existing fleas and any new adult fleas that come along are killed.
Some interfere with the flea life cycle, making eggs unviable.
Some products combine chemicals to do all of the above, while some products have one or two actions.
Seek veterinary advice about the best flea treatments for your pet.
Ticks
While fleas are annoying, ticks can be deadly. The paralysis tick occurs mainly in spring and summer in Eastern Australia, and is found in long grass and the bush. Tick protection isn’t necessary for all dogs and cats, and depending on where you live, may not be needed all year round – your vet can advise you on the situation in your local area.