Puppies and Dogs

Valley Vets are pleased to offer a comprehensive, caring service to all dog owners. · We strongly advise vaccination of all puppies , starting as young as seven weeks of age. The puppy vaccinations help to protect against Canine Distemper Virus, Canine Adeno Virus (hepatitis), Parainfluenza Virus, Parvo Virus and Leptospirosis.

•  We advise intra-nasal vaccination against Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough) for dogs going to board at kennels or if your dog is attending regular training classes. Kennel cough vaccines are sometimes required by home boarding and dog walking services. · We also recommend annual full physical examinations. Booster vaccinations are given as needed, to maintain protection against serious infectious disease.
•  As your pet gets older, we advise monitoring the function of major organs and also blood pressure, in addition to the full physical examination.
• All dogs should be regularly treated to kill parasitic worms; this is for both your dog's health and also the health of all our children. Puppies should be de-wormed monthly until six months old and adult dogs should be treated every three months. Please contact us for individual advice.
• Dogs also require monthly treatment for external parasites, especially fleas and ticks. Many of the prescription products now available conveniently combine protection for fleas, roundworm, lungworm and ticks all in one tasty tablet. Please contact us for individual advice.
• Our state of the art, Valley Veterinary Hospital in Gwaelod y Garth, is home to our Valley 24/7 emergency veterinary service. This means that we can provide uninterrupted continual care to our patients on-site, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
• We have separate dog kennels in all our branches as well as separate isolation kennels for infectious cases. We also use Adaptil and Pet Remedy diffusers to help further reduce stress.
• We provide comprehensive medical and surgical care, including orthopaedic surgery. More complex orthopaedic surgery is done at Valley Veterinary Hospital.
• We have comprehensive in-house laboratory facilities, including blood biochemistry, electrolyte and haematological (blood cell) analysis, as well as specialised diagnostic equipment such as ultrasound, radiography and endoscopy.

Valley Vets Ltd encourages all clients to insure their dogs for both veterinary treatment fees and also third party liability.

We employ OV’s (Government approved Official Veterinarians) in all our branches that are able to complete PETS Passports for travelling abroad and other official documentation needed for importing and exporting dogs. For further detailed information please visit www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad.

We can also provide advice on parasite control and disease prevention when travelling abroad.

Our Cardiff, Ystrad Mynach and Caerphilly branches are accredited Veterinary Nurse Training Practices. Student veterinary nurses work alongside our qualified staff and attend external college regularly, to attain the qualifications necessary to become an RVN (Registered Veterinary Nurse). To retain this qualification, our RVN’s must attend regular and on-going training courses each and every year.

Our nurses will provide free advice to clients on the following subjects:

• Worming and flea control.
• Dental care.
• Obesity problems.
• Diet.
• Basic training problems.

Please contact us to make an appointment with a nurse, or a veterinary surgeon.

Are you thinking of getting a puppy?

Please look at our Advice Page "Thinking of Getting a Puppy?" The Dogs Trust also provide prospective dog owners with excellent general advice and specific factsheets on house training, socialization and introducing a puppy to your cat or young children. For further information, please visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/help-advice. There is also excellent advice on www.adaptil.com

Do you need help with training your dog?

The Dogs Trust provide all dog owners with excellent advice and factsheets on dog training and understanding canine behaviour. For further information, please visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/help-advice.

Are you thinking of neutering your dog?

Neutering is the general term used for the surgical removal of the reproductive organs in both male and female dogs. The Dogs Trust provide all dog owners with excellent advice and factsheets on neutering dogs. For further information, please visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/help-advice.

Is your dog scared by fireworks?

Please look at our Advice Page Firework Fear: Our Top Tips for Dog Owners. The Dogs Trust also provide dog owners with an excellent factsheet on Firework Fear and Your Dog. For further information, please visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/help-advice. There is also excellent advice on www.adaptil.com

Does your dog suffer travel sickness?

Travel sickness (or 'motion sickness') is a common problem among dogs, especially when they are young. It is distressing for both the dog and its owner, and often restricts and diminishes the shared experience of travel. For further information, please visit www.dog-car-sickness.co.uk and also www.adaptil.com