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Routine Preventative Care
Examinations
Younger pets should have a full physical exam annually. Older pets should come for an exam once every six months, additionally Senior pets(8 years and older) should have annual lab work. Any pet with a chronic illness(ex. epilepsy or diabetes) should also have twice annual exams and at least annual lab work. Any pet with acute illness should be seen as soon as possible. Examination of your pet allows our Doctors to pick up problems that might otherwise be missed. Such as, tartar laden teeth, heart murmurs, cataracts, swollen lymph nodes or flea infestations to mention a few examples.
Vaccinations
Our vaccination protocol is customized to each pet's personal exposure and risk. We educate our clients about the various vaccinations available and then determine the benefits of inoculation. At the annual vaccination appointment we will perform a comprehensive physical examination. Routine vaccines for dogs include: Rabies, Distemper combo (distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and leptospirosis), Coronavirus, Lyme, and Bordetella (Kennel Cough vaccine). Routine vaccines for cats include Rabies, Distemper combo (Panleukopenia, Calici, and Rhinotracheitis), and Leukemia.
Deworming and Fecal Checks
Parasitic zoonoses are diseases caused by parasites that can also affect people. While we normally associate parasites, such as roundworms, tapeworms, and hookworms with cats and dogs, people can accidentally be infected with the same parasites. Regular deworming is the best way to prevent parasitic disease and the transmission of intestinal parasites from pets to people. It also prevents the shedding of parasite eggs, which contaminate yards or any place a pet defecates.
We recommend that every pet receives a broad spectrum deworming at least once annually. Our staff may recommend more frequent deworming based upon your pets history and lifestyle. Puppies, kittens, and pets that test positive for internal parasites may require several rounds of deworming.
Fecal floatation to diagnose parasitism is recommended baseline for puppies and kittens and at least once yearly for adults.
Routine Bloodwork
All kittens should be tested for Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodefiency Virus (FIV). This test should be repeated as directed by our veterinarians for all cats that have previously tested positive, go outdoors, or have symptoms.
All dogs over 6 months of age should be annually blood tested for heartworm. Any patient testing positive should be retested 6 months after treatment.
We also recommend comprehensive bloodwork annually for all pets over the age of seven and for any pets with chronic illness or on long term medications. This testing is to monitor organ function and blood cell counts.
Preventative Medications
We recommend that all dogs be on yearly preventative for heartworm, fleas, and ticks. We also recommend flea and tick prevention for cats. We sell a variety of preventatives and would be happy to help you determine which is best suited for your companion.
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