Why should I get a yearly exam for my pet?

Physical examinations are vital to your pet’s general health and the early detection of underlying diseases or conditions. The doctor will need to be sure your pet is healthy prior to vaccinating, to confirm the vaccines will be effective and provide proper protection.

Senior pets (7 years and older) are recommended to have a complete physical exam every 6 months. In a senior pet, six months represents 3-5 human years, in which many physical changes can occur.

What vaccines should I get for my pet?

Feline:

Rabies – Rabies is a core vaccine. It should be given at 12 weeks, and then annually thereafter.

FeLv – Feline Leukemia is a non-core vaccine and is recommended for specific patients. These patients are usually young cats and those going outdoors or living in multi-cat households.

RCP (rhinotracheitis, calici, chlamydia, panleukopenia) – This core vaccine is given at 8 weeks, then 12 weeks and then either annually or up to every 3 years. This depends on the individual pet’s lifestyle and potential exposure. It is usually required for most cat boarding facilities.

Canine:

Rabies – is a core vaccine. It should be given at around 16 weeks of age, then a booster given in a year, then every 3 years thereafter.

DAPP (distemper, adenovirus/hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus) – This core vaccine should be given at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and sometimes requires a booster at 16 weeks. The booster requirement in future may be annually or up to every 3 years, depending on your pet’s lifestyle, exposure, and the vaccine brand that is being used.

Leptospirosis – If your dog enjoys drinking out of puddles, creeks, rivers etc. this vaccine is recommended. The leptospirosis bacterium is spread through contaminated animal urine via mucous membranes (mouth, nose, eyes). Like rabies, leptospirosis can infect humans, which is why this is an important vaccine. This vaccine needs boosted yearly.

Bordetella (Kennel Cough) – This vaccine is highly recommended. Bordetella is very contagious, easily transmitted (via air or direct contact), and hard to kill in the environment. This vaccine is also required for most dog boarding facilities. Bordetella needs to be updated annually, and is usually given around 12 weeks of age.

Why do I need to get my pet spayed or neutered?

Health Benefits:

• Reduced risk of uterine, testicular, and other reproductive cancers
• Unaltered females have increased chance of developing pyometra (uterine infection)
• Altered pets statistically live longer

Behavior Benefits:

• Reduces roaming
• Reduces aggression
• Reduces dominance-related behaviors
• >90% will reduce urine marking (male cats)

Environmental Benefits:

• Long term cost reduction due to reduced chance of developing reproductive cancers, as well as cheaper pet licensing
• Reduces pet population, and in doing so, reduces number of homeless pets

What is a dental prophy and why is it done under general anesthetic?

Dental prophy is the process of scaling and polishing the teeth in order to remove plaque and calculus. This process works to smooth the surface of the teeth, in order to decrease the adherent surface for plaque. Under anesthetic, we are able to clean above and under the gum line, which is very important because the plaque in these areas are what cause periodontal disease. General anesthetic is also required due to the possibility of teeth extractions, which would be very painful if the patient was not under sedation.