Preventive Health Care
These suggestions will enable you to provide the best health care, allowing your dog and cat to live as long as possible.
Annual Physical Examinations
It is important for the veterinarian to get to know the patient. We are able to check for heart conditions, oral disease, ear infections, etc. that you may not have noticed.
Vaccinations
Core vaccines depend on the patient. Rabies vaccine depend on the patient. Rabies vaccine, as well as others, is highly recommended and in most cases, required by law. Also recommended are Bordetella for dogs routinely exposed to other dogs and Lyme vaccine for those exposed to large numbers of ticks. FIV vaccine is available to prevent feline immunodeficiency virus (similar to the virus that causes AIDS in humans). Core vaccinations are combined into one injection and include:
Canine
- Canine Distemper
- Canine Hepatitis
- Leptospirosis
- Parainfluenza
- Parvovirus
- Coronavirus
Feline
- Feline Leukemia
- Rhinotracheitis
- Calici
- Panleukopenia
- Chlamydia Psittaci
Tips & Advice:
- Annual heartworm test should be done at year-round. Heartworm preventative should be given once a month.
- Annual internal parasite examination (stool check) and deworming as indicated.
- Daily exercise.
- Constant supply of fresh, clean water.
- Feed the highest quality food you can afford. Premium pet foods are much more digestible and result in a healthier pet with less stool volume. Do not feed table scraps and snacks.
- While you pet your dog or cat daily, observe closely for any abnormalities, lumps, rashes, tumors, fleas, etc.
- Purchase a microchip or I.D. tag to place on your pet’s collar. Several of our patients who become lost have been located through microchips or ID tags.
Consider the advantages of having your pet spayed or neutered at an early age. Below are a few advantages of having your female Dogs and Cats spayed:
- Prevent heat cycles which attract male dogs
- Prevent later uterine infections
- Prevent later uterine and breast cancer
- Prevent unwanted puppies/kittens
- Prevent obesity. Extra pounds burden the heart, kidneys, joints and muscles, decreasing life expectancy 30-50%.
Below are a few advantages of having your male Dogs and Cats neutered:
- Prevents territorial marking with urine, if done at an early age.
- Prevents roaming, fighting and aggressive behavior.
- Prevents prostrate cancer, testicular tumors, rectal tumors, etc.
- Prevent obesity. Extra pounds burden the heart, kidneys, joints and muscles, decreasing life expectancy 30-50%.
We recommend a monthly flea and tick control treatment for your pet (Advantix/Advantage, Parastar/Easyspot, Vectra, Comfortis)
Do not hesitate to ask our advice for any problem. We are here to help you assist your pet in living a long, healthy life as the lowest cost to you. Prevenative health is much more than just vaccinations.
