Vaccinations are important for protection against serious diseases. There are many viral diseases and some bacterial diseases for which we provide vaccinations. Most of the diseases in veterinary medicine that companies have spent time and money to produce vaccines for are deadly diseases and we call them core vaccines.
For a complete protocol of vaccines, we recommend for our dogs and cats patients, please see our vaccine protocols below.
Pediatric Dogs: (Up to 1 Year)
Vaccinations every 3-4 weeks of age until over 15 weeks of age.
Fecal sample at first puppy vet visit and repeated within the first year.
Deworming at each vaccination visit (dogs with a positive fecal need more frequent deworming depending on type of parasite)
Obedience training and socialization beginning as early as 3 months of age
External and internal parasite prevention medication for heartworm, fleas and intestinal parasites should be administered once monthly .The peak months for heartworm protection are May 1st to December 1st. Fleas and intestinal parasite protection should continue once monthly all year round especially if younger children live in the household or the dog visits outside the home.
Neuter and spay as early as 2 weeks after completion of vaccine series but a large breed puppy should wait until 5½ months of age
Large breed puppy foods to large breed dogs until 12 -18 months
Pet insurance
Introduce dental brushing daily and dental chews to prevent tartar
Adult Dogs: (1 to 7 Years)
Vaccination booster of all vaccines received in the puppy series then annual vaccinations with certain vaccines depending on risk category.
Yearly fecal analysis for intestinal parasites and appropriate deworming.
Yearly parasite blood test for heartworm, lyme disease and two other tick borne diseases.
External and internal parasite prevention medication for heartworm, fleas and intestinal parasites should be administered once monthly .The peak months for heartworm protection are May 1st to December 1st. Fleas and intestinal parasite protection should continue once monthly all year round especially if younger children live in the household or the dog visits outside the home.
Yearly Wellness blood testing alternating between tests for the detection of liver disease, anemia, kidney disease and thyroid disease.
Preventive or weight control premium diets depending on weight.
Tooth brushing daily; dental chews (greenies, dentabones, rawhides, veggiedents) 2-3 per week.
Regular dentals depending on yearly exam of teeth.
A regular exercise program to prevent obesity.
Senior Dogs: ( 8 Years and Older)
Physical exam every 6 months. At one of exams, a urine sample should be analyzed and if indicated a urine protein : creatinine ratio to detect early kidney disease. At the other exam, a Wellness blood test is obtained for screening of major organ functions.
Vaccinations at one of the physical exams depending on risk category.
Yearly fecal analysis for intestinal parasites.
Yearly urine sample.
Yearly parasite blood test for heartworm, lyme disease and other tick borne diseases.
External and internal parasite prevention medication for heartworm, fleas and intestinal parasites should be administered once monthly .The peak months for heartworm protection are May 1st to December 1st. Fleas and intestinal parasite protection should continue once monthly all year round especially if younger children live in the household or the dog visits outside the home.
Senior diet or weight control diet.
Regular dentals depending on physical exam of teeth semi-annually.
Omega- 3 fatty acid supplementation (Nutriskin, missing link or Aller-G capsules/liquid) for arthritis, skin coat and cancer prevention benefits.
Glucosamine combination products (Sasha’s blend, megaflex , glycoflex) for arthritis prevention and treatment.
Pediatric Cats: (Up to 1 Year)
Feline leukemia /FIV blood test on first visit.
Vaccinations including Leukemia every 3-4 weeks until over 16 weeks of age.
Revolution once monthly to control fleas, intestinal parasites, ear mites and heartworm in outdoor accessible cats or cats that live with dogs.If not on Revolution, routine deworming at each vaccination visit (cats with positive fecals need more frequent deworming depending on type of parasite found).
Neuter and spay 1 month after completion of vaccine series as long as kitten weighs 3 lbs. or greater.
Kitten premium diets canned and dry.
Pet insurance.
Adult Cats (1 to 7 Years)
One year booster shots then annual vaccinations with certain vaccines depending on risk category. (Feline leukemia can be omitted in STRICTLY indoor cats).
A yearly leukemia: FIV blood test is recommended in all outdoor accessible cats.
Yearly fecal analysis and appropriate deworming.
Revolution once monthly to control fleas, intestinal parasites, ear mites and heartworm in all outdoor accessible cats or cats living with dogs. If not on Revolution, yearly broad spectrum deworming in all outdoor accessible cats is recommended.
Science diet T/D for tartar prevention. Treats like greenies for teeth care.
Yearly Wellness testing alternating between tests for the detection of liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes and anemia.
Adult premium preventive or weight control diets depending on weight – canned and dry.
Water drinking fountains encourage drinking to help prevent bladder disease.
Regular dentals depending on yearly exam of teeth.
Senior Cats (8 Years and Older)
Physical exam every 6 months : At one of exams, a blood pressure measurement and urine should be obtained. At the other physical, any necessary vaccines are given and Wellness blood chemistry testing should be performed. The blood tests are for the detection of liver, kidney, thyroid and diabetic diseases.
Yearly Feline Leukemia : FIV blood testing for all outdoor accessible cats.
Yearly fecal analysis.
Revolution once monthly in all outdoor accessible cats to control fleas, ear mites, intestinal parasites and heartworm.
If Revolution is not used then yearly broad spectrum de-worming in all outdoor accessible cats.
Senior diets with T/D supplemented or weight loss diets – canned and dry.
Regular dental examinations of teeth semi-annually.
Water drinking fountains to encourage drinking helps in the prevention of bladder disease.