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Regular physical examinations are the foundation upon which effective preventive care is built. Because ours pets cannot effectively communicate their feelings to us, and because they have a natural tendency to hide outward signs of disease, we must regularly screen for clues that a problem is developing. High blood pressure might be suggested by scanning the retina of the eye. A heart murmur or irregular heart beat would signal significant heart disease. An abdominal tumor could be revealed when the abdomen is carefully palpated. We frequently see cases involving diseases that have developed to an advanced, untreatable stage before the owner notices that something is wrong. Many times we know that if we had just seen that patient a few months earlier, we would have had a chance to save their life. We urge you to schedule examinations twice a year for your pet. This is especially important when pets are over 7 years of age.
Puppies begin life with protective antibodies absorbed from their mother’s milk when they begin nursing. This protection is short lived, wearing out as early as 8 weeks of age for some pups but not until 20 weeks of age for other pups. To fully protect your puppy, we need to give a series of Distemper and Parvovirus vaccinations beginning at 6 to 8 weeks, continuing through 16 to 18 weeks of age. We usually space the vaccinations 3 to 4 weeks apart. Rabies vaccinations begin around 3 to 4 months of age. Booster vaccinations for all of the above diseases are given 1 year following the initial series. Afterwards, Distemper, Parvovirus, and Rabies are boostered every third year. Kennel Cough vaccinations are recommended for any dog visiting obedience classes, dog shows, grooming parlors, daycare, or those going to a boarding kennel. Kennel Cough vaccinations are boostered yearly. Lyme Disease vaccinations are not considered necessary for dogs living in the WNY area but would be considered for dogs traveling into Lyme Disease endemic areas. Ask about this if you are traveling out of the area with your dog during the warmer months. Technician Vaccination Appointments are an option not available at many veterinary hospitals. If your pet is under 7 years of age and has had a doctor exam within the past 12 months a nurse would be available to vaccinate your pet without the normal office expense associated with a doctor visit. If your pet is over 7 years of age and has had a doctor exam within the past 6 months a nurse would be available to vaccinate your pet without the normal office expense associated with a doctor visit.
Heartworm Disease is a silent killer of many dogs each year. It is a disease spread by mosquitoes. All dogs are at risk for this disease whether they spend large amounts of time outdoors or not. The worms actually do live in the dogs heart clogging the blood vessels. Untreated heartworm disease commonly causes heart failure. Heartworm disease treatment is possible, but it is very expensive and it can be very hard on the dog. Treatment is most effective and least complicated if it is begun before any symptoms develop. In order to detect this disease in the early, asymptomatic stage, routine blood testing is required. You cannot detect heartworm disease when listening to the heart with a stethoscope. Prevention of heartworm disease is clearly the best way to deal with this disease. Interceptor is an inexpensive, safe, and very effective once a month heartworm preventive that we recommend for all of our canine patients.
Parasites are a serious problem for your pet. Skin parasites include Fleas and Ticks. Intestinal parasites include roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms. Worms are capable of causing serious disease in dogs and, on rare occasion, serious disease in human family members. Puppies can become infected with roundworms and hookworms before they are born. Worms can be effectively controlled by following a few simple rules. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that all new puppies receive deworming treatments every 2 weeks from 2 to 8 weeks of age. Dewormings should then be continued monthly through 6 months of age. Newly adopted adult dogs should receive a minimum of 2 initial dewormings. A stool sample (dog poop) should then be checked on a regular basis. We perform a microscopic evaluation that screens for the parasite eggs. If worms are detected, a safe and effective worming treatment will be prescribed. Watching the dog’s stool at home can help detect tapeworms, because the segments passed by the dog can be seen by the naked eye, but it is an ineffective way to detect other worms as the routine evidence they leave is only visible on a microscopic level. Interceptor, as described above, is a safe and effective preventive that controls Heartworm and most Intestinal Worm problems.
Dogs can pick up Fleas and Ticks whenever they go out during the warmer weather months. To control fleas and ticks we will recommend a once a month preventive, Topspot. This is by far the easiest way to approach flea and tick problems. If you are traveling to known Lyme Disease endemic areas there are other tick control precautions you should follow. Please call us to discuss this matter further. |
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