We're celebrating New Beginnings and Happy Endings this month, with a special focus on the pitter patter of little paws. It's all about the best start to new life for your puppies and kittens. We provide you with an essential check list for health and wellbeing including a special offer on the best nutrition critical to your little ones development and growth. In our AquaDog article Sue, our animal behaviourist, hydro-therapist and canine swim coach talks to us about the importance of activities and environments that enrich your pet's life, whether youngsters or young at heart. We also have a heartwarming story about a Dalmatian puppy's island adventure and his dedicated family.

Puppy of the Month-Brave Bold Bass's Island Adventure

Bass is a brave, boldly adventurous 5mth old Dalmation puppy that it seems has been blessed with an exceptionally dedicated family. A recent holiday to South Stradbroke Island included an exciting boat ride and the promise of a fun, summer adventure for Bass and his family. 

Unfortunately only a few days into the holiday, Bass woke up feeling poorly. His family immediately noticed he wasn't his usual, adventurous self. They noticed his "No.2s" were softer, a little runny and had some blood. They were not too concerned as he was still running around, but seemed just a bit off-colour and wasn't that interested in food. They decided to give our clinic a call anyway just to be sure. They were put through to Dr Fiona at our Nerang clinic who discussed all the symptoms with them over the phone. Dr Fiona still advised for them to bring Bass into the clinic as she explained how easily puppies and kittens can become dehydrated and how quickly these conditions can become life threatening. 

They loaded the boat and came straight to the clinic. Fortunately, Bass's family didn't hesitate and so his illness was able to be treated easily with medication as an outpatient and he could return to enjoy the rest of his holidays. Had they waited he potentially may have needed to be hospitalised for fluid therapy due to dehydration. 

Thankfully, like all good stories, this one does have a happy ending... by the next day Bass was back to his brave, boldly adventurous self and his dedicated family thoroughly enjoyed the rest of their summer holidays together. Bass was really happy, not only did he feel much better but he got to have a couple more exciting boat rides.

Here's a list of the essentials to help you get a new puppy or kitten started on the right track.

1. Health check and vaccination
It is never too early for a vet check. We'll get your best friend started on a vaccination program and a thorough check over will rule out any health problems.

2. Diet
To ensure your pet gets everything needed for a growing body, we recommend a premium quality diet. These highly digestible diets are readily absorbed and the good result is less poo to pick up! Always introduce a new diet slowly to prevent an upset stomach

3. Parasite prevention
Intestinal worms can be a serious problem for our young pets so regular worming is a must. We will also recommend the most suitable products to prevent against fleas and heartworm.

4. Microchipping
A rice grain sized chip with an individual number is inserted under your pet's skin. Your phone number is kept on a central database so don't forget to update your details if they ever change.

5. Training
Dogs and cats learn from positive reinforcement and good behaviour starts from day one. Ask us about Puppy Pre School and training tips for your kitten.

For the best start to new life for puppies and kittens ...

Hill's Science Diet is specially designed to provide all the nutrition your puppy or kitten needs. It is complete nutrition, without excesses or deficiencies to help avoid health problems. Hill's offers a complete range of Science diet puppy and kitten foods including treats to meet all your little ones unique nutritional needs and enrich your pet's life.

Purchase any 7.5kg or greater bag of Hills Science Diet Puppy, Kitten or Maintanence and Receive a FREE Food Bin* 
*while stocks last

Go on, take the Plunge!....and lets hear from our Animal Behaviourist and new AquaDog manager, Sue Kafoa.

Have you ever thought about the importance of Environmental Enrichment for your pet? All animals- from those with loads of energy who are confined to those who are stuck in a rut of the same old walk each and every day, puppies, adults and seniors alike need to be provided with a stimulating environment and allow them some activity that would be comparable to that they would receive in the wild. It is vital to the animal's health and welfare and without it many behavioural problems occur; and in the case of senior animals degeneration of the brain is more rapid.

In the wild, animals have a complex environment to negotiate every single day which provides them with both mental and physical challenges. Using Kongs and the like to provide the daily meal or part thereof replicates the foraging process and provides hours of fun!! Having different toys for different days is also a simple solution to boredom as are altered daily walks and of course swimming.

Supervised pool swimming, in combination with game play is an excellent way to engage both mind and body for your pet without the danger of physical damage associated with soft sand or debris or the risk of emotional trauma from encountering an uncontrolled and unwelcome visit from a four legged beach bully!!

Recreational swimming is a fun form of exercise which provides exceptional environmental enrichment and encourages fitness. Whilst having the time of their lives, our swimmers are encouraged to play constructively which increases brain function, so not only are their bodies getting a work out, their brains are working hard too!!

Aquadog Health and Fitness offer fully supervised pool swims for fun and rehabilitation. The benefits of the centre include fully staffed and supervised swims in a pleasant indoor setting encompassing a heated pool and air-conditioned building with no potential of the aforementioned risks. So...

If you and your precious pet haven't visited our swim centre then take the plunge- we would love to meet you and set you on your way to providing a wonderfully enriched life for your pet.   

MARCH MIDWEEK MADNESS - Swim at AquaDog on a Wednesday 8am-5pm or Thursday 8am-2pm and receive a complimentary DIY Hydrobath (value $12) 

Go in the Draw for a major prize of a Full Day Spa Treatment for Dogs valued at $109 including: Full day boarding; Early drop off facilities; Supervised swim and play; Tellington Touch Massage; Nail Clip and Ear Clean; Hydrobath, blow dry and fragrant coat conditioning; Vet Nurse health check and report; Weight check; Escorted fresh air walks; Morning and afternoon tea; Cuddles and compliments visits. Call us now to book

Ready, Setty, Go ! Join our Puppy Water Safety Swim Classes.

Special New Beginnings offer. Private puppy water safety swim classes only $15

Enrich your puppy's life and build their confidence, water safety and swimming skills.

Our Puppy Pre-school program includes a water safety swim class at AquaDog Health & Fitness Centre and a Half price 2nd Swim for Puppy Pre-schoolers ONLY $7.50.

There is an obvious answer to this question: desexing prevents unwanted pregnancies in female cats and dogs.

Did you know that there are also medical reasons for desexing?
Desexing around the age of six months greatly reduces the risk of cancers in both male and female pets. Non castrated male dogs are at a higher risk of suffering from testicular cancer and prostate disease and are far more likely to roam, getting themselves into trouble.

Female pets that have not been spayed can develop mammary cancer. It is also not uncommon for non desexed female dogs to develop a uterine infection. This leads to a septic uterus, also known as pyometra and your pet can become very ill and even die if the uterus is not removed promptly.

There are countless stray and abandoned animals euthanased every year so desexing your pet gives unwanted animals a far greater chance of finding a home. If you do not plan to breed from your pet, we recommend desexing. If you are considering breeding with your pet make sure you discuss this with us first and only commence breeding at a safe age for your pet (generally after the age of 18 months).

Puppy pre-school is a fun way for puppies and families to learn all the skills required for a rewarding life together. Under the expert guidance of our qualified nurses, parents can enjoy being involved in developing their new puppy's social skills to ensure they become polite and well behaved canine citizens.

Classes are held once a week for 4 weeks 6.30-7.30pm. To join our next class, please call the location that suits your family and ask our friendly staff for more details or click here

Our 4 week program also includes a Puppy water safety class at our indoor swimming facility, AquaDog Health & Fitness Centre. For more information click here.

We're so proud of our recent PUPPY PRE-SCHOOL GRADUATES................

At Nerang:

Class commenced 06.1.10
Harley McHugh, Muguay Matterson, Benny Young, Nixon Payne, Bella Pryor, Brocky Wade, Jude Lonie, Ellie Taylor

At Helensvale:

Class commenced 05.1.10
Lynx Te Ture, Harley Hyland, Sophie Akrami, Bella Torrance, Bonnie Walsh, Patch Bedford, Henry Armitage.

Class commenced 07.1.10
Rosie Pollen, Billy Gray, Max Nagel, Lola McLean, Tinkerbelle Dow, Benson Aikin, Pandi Robertson.

Congratulations and thank you to all the enthusiastic puppy preschoolers and their dedicated families for sharing the experience with lots of love learning and laughter. 

We hope you will enjoy the memories of your time together at Puppy Preschool by printing your class photo to display in the frame provided. To print your class photo or to email to friends and family go to our website www.thevets.com.au then go to E-cards to find your framed class photo.