Guide to caring for your pet

August is known as Mad Dog Month. This ominous fame is a legend and, probably, the result of the increase in the number of female dogs abandoned on the streets that go into heat during this period and make the dogs very agitated, fighting to dispute them. It is also the period when most city halls promote free vaccination campaigns throughout Brazil. So how about getting your pet’s card and checking if he’s protected? Remember that anti-rabies is mandatory by law because it also poses risks to humans. See other tips to make your partner healthy and very happy!

Tip: neutering animals prevents disease. In females, it reduces the risks of breast cancer and uterine infection. In males, it prevents prostate problems!

basic care

Veterinarian Maria Inês Nassif Baraúna, from Clínica VetSP, created this list to help you ensure your pet’s health

1. If you have adopted or purchased a pet (adult or puppy), first take it to a trusted veterinarian. This professional will check the health of the pet, schedule the castration (if you don’t want puppies) and advise on care and vaccination.

two. Some cities in the country, such as São Paulo, require the General Animal Registry (RGA), which has the same value as our identity card. Inquire at the zoonosis center in your region.

3. Keep the bug away from cleaning products, which can cause intoxication. Buckets of soaking clothes, for example, tempt curious puppies.

4. If you live in an apartment, the windows must have special protection nets to prevent falls, especially from cats.

5. Care for flowers and plants. Many can be poisonous and cause poisoning.

6. Remember worming. Every six months, it must be done (orally) in dogs and cats to avoid worms.

Signs that something is not right…

If your friend, from one hour to the next, presents these symptoms, look for a veterinarian immediately:

🇧🇷 Sadness and lack of appetite;

🇧🇷 Walk with your tail low and between your hind legs;

🇧🇷 Stop licking yourself, in the case of cats, and lose your appetite;

🇧🇷 Hair falling out, showing flaws or having a lot of itching and skin wounds;

🇧🇷 Having vomiting and diarrhea;

🇧🇷 Stop peeing or pooping

vaccination card

In addition to the oldest and most traditional ones, this table presents the new vaccines that you can apply in clinics to ensure your pet’s well-being.

DOGS

Anti-rabies (mandatory by law)

What prevents: rage
doses: single dose, from 4 months. Reinforcement is annual.

V10

What prevents: distemper, infectious hepatitis, parvovirus, coronavirus, adenovirus type 1, adenovirus type 2, leptospirosis and parainfluenza.
doses: after 45 days, three doses are applied, one every 21 days. Annual booster. The adult dog, never vaccinated, receives two doses with an interval of 21 days.

Parainfluenza type 2 and bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica

What prevents: dog flu or cough
doses: puppies, from 2 months of age, and adults who have never been vaccinated receive a single intranasal dose or two injectable doses every 21 days. Annual booster.

giardiasis

What prevents: intestinal protozoan (giardia). Transmissible to humans.
doses: two doses, every 21 days, for puppies (from 2 months) and adults who have never been vaccinated. Annual booster.

canine visceral leishmaniasis

What prevents: very serious illness that must be communicated to the health authorities.
doses: receive three doses, every 21 days, for puppies (from 4 months) or adults who have not been vaccinated.

CATS

Anti-rabies (mandatory)

What prevents: rage.
doses: single and should be applied from 4 months. Annual booster.

V4 (feline quadruple)

What prevents: protects from diseases caused by viruses.
doses: applied in two doses with an interval of 21 days when kittens or in adult cats that never received the vaccine. Annual booster in a single dose.

Feline viral leukemia (FeLV)

What prevents: incurable feline viral disease. It must be applied after a blood test that confirms that the animal does not have the virus.
doses: two doses with an interval of 30 days after 2 months of age. Reinforcement is annual.

Sources: Maria Inês Nassif Baraúna, from Clínica VetSP, and Miriam Aparecida Santos, from Clínica Vila dos Bichos, in São Paulo.