Physical Exams
Physical checkups are essential in evaluating the health and condition of your pet, especially when we see your pet for the first time. During routine or annual exams we may find new things that were not noticeable the month/year before. This is an opportunity for you to ask any questions or let the veterinarian know of any significant changes in your pet's habits, health or condition. This is the key to the long-term health and well-being of a very dear companion.
Disease Prevention Through Vaccinations
Dogs
Once protection has been established in a dog, booster vaccinations are recommended to maintain protection against diseases. We recommend vaccinating your dog with the following series of vaccines. The "Distemper" Combo vaccine, a vaccine for Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvo, and Parainfluenza. In addition, there are 2 other optional vaccines. If you are going to be boarding your dog at any kennels or participating in any dog obedience classes, we recommend a Bordetella vaccine to help prevent against Kennel Cough.
We also have a vaccine for Leptosporosis ("Lepto"). Lepto is a bacterial infection that survives well in moist environments and can be spread through the urine of infected animals. We recommend this vaccine if your dog swims a lot, has access to standing water or if you have animals such as raccoons, possums and skunks in your yard. Initially these vaccines must be given twice with a one month interval in between. After the first 2 vaccines, your dog must have a Lepto and/or Bordetella booster every year. Finally, we will also give your dog a Rabies booster. The booster lasts for 3 years in Colorado. You will receive a rabies tag to put on their collar and also a Rabies Certificate which you will need to license your dog (this can be done at the city/county building).
Cats
Once protection has been established in a cat, booster vaccinations are recommended to maintain protection against diseases. We recommend vaccinating your cat with the following series of vaccines. The "Distemper" Combo vaccine, a vaccine for Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus and Panleukopenia. Vaccinations can prevent many diseases and promote good health and a longer life for your cat.
In addition, there is one other optional vaccine. If your cat is going to be outside and/or have interaction with other cats of unknown vaccination status, we recommend vaccinating him/her for Feline Leukemia. Initially this vaccine must be given twice with a one month interval in between, and then followed by yearly boosters as long as your cat remains outside and/or at risk. Finally, we will also give your cat a Rabies vaccine. The first Rabies vaccine is good for 1 year and then your cat will receive a booster. The booster lasts for 3 years in Colorado.
Individualized Vaccine Protocols
In addition to vaccinating your pet, it is important to evaluate each individual animal on there vaccination needs based on their physical condition, lifestyle and risk for disease. In the past year several organizations including the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) met to revise and update the recommendations for the use of vaccines in dogs and cats. In revising vaccine recommendations, many studies were conducted that concluded the duration of immunity of several vaccines is longer then previously thought. In addition, it is thought that giving too many vaccinations may be linked to the development of immune diseases later in life. Prior to this revision and new recommendations by these organizations, most vaccines were given annually. As a result of these studies and in an effort to formulate the best preventative health care plan for your pet, we are changing our vaccine protocol.
We now recommend that some of the “annual” vaccines be given every three years instead of every year. For dogs, the three year protocol would be applied to the “Canine Distemper vaccine” (a four way vaccine combining canine distemper, adenovirus-2, parainfluenza and parvovirus). For cats, the three year protocol applies to the “Feline Distemper vaccine” (a three way vaccine including feline viral rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia and calicivirus) and the Feline Leukemia vaccine. One exception to this would be an annual booster after a puppy or kitten series of vaccines.
Although we are recommending that the above vaccines be given every three years, the vaccines are only licensed by the manufacturer for one year protection. AAHA and AVMA conducted their studies using the one year licensed vaccines and have still determined the three year recommendation.
The three year protocol does not apply to the Leptospirosis, Bordetella or Giardia vaccines.
It is also important to remember that each animal is an individual and should be vaccinated according to his or her lifestyle and risk for specific diseases. Please do not hesitate to ask questions regarding to this change so we can adequately provide the best preventative health care plan for your pet.
Parasite Prevention
Heartworm
This disease is caused by a worm that is spread by mosquitoes. When a mosquito bites your dog, it injects tiny microfilaria into your dog, which travels in the bloodstream and localize in your dog's heart. The microfilaria mature into adult heartworms. Although it is a horrible disease, it is very easily preventable with a monthly chewable tablet (that most dogs love!). There is a blood test we can do on dogs to make sure they are negative for heartworm before we start the monthly preventive.
Fleas
Fleas are not very common in Colorado but in fact we are seeing more of them recently. Fleas can cause various degrees of itching in an animal from a few scratches to a severe allergic reaction. More importantly, fleas are known to carry several diseases that can be harmful or fatal to both pets and humans. Plague is one such disease, which occurs after a bite from an infected flea. It can spread to humans when infected fleas from ground squirrels, prairie dogs, and other wild rodents are carried home on a dog or cat and bite a human. Avoid Fleas! Protect pets with flea treatment and keep out of wild rodent habitats.
Please ask us if you have questions or need suggestions for flea treatment.
Intestinal Parasites
There are several types of intestinal parasites, commonly called “worms” that can infect your dog or cat. The most common types of worms in dogs are hookworms and roundworms. Dogs can get infected by hookworms and roundworms by walking places where other animals have defecated. Microscopic larvae end up on your pet’s feet. When your pet licks their feet, he infects himself with these GI parasites. After a few weeks of incubation, your pet passes these parasites in his feces and the cycle continues. Cats get infected with hookworms and tapeworms by hunting prey (even the occasional “house mouse”). Flea infestation can also play a role in parasite transmission.
Some intestinal parasites can also be spread to humans. Because of the zoonotic potential (ability to spread to humans) it is important to prevent intestinal parasites in your pet. Some ways to do this include: monthly administration of Heartgard Plus throughout the entire year (helps prevent hookworms and roundworms in your dog), cleaning up where your pet defecates weekly or daily, having fecal samples analyzed to screen for parasites and practicing good hygiene after interacting with your pet.
Geriatric Wellness
Our pets’ age faster then we realize and are increasingly vulnerable to many illnesses as they reach their later years in life. Their health problems related to advancing years are similar to our own: heart, liver, kidney disease, dental problems, digestive disorders and cancer. Early detection and treatment of diseases can enable us to extend your pet’s life and improve the quality of it as well. We offer senior screening work-up’s including comprehensive physical exams, complete blood count, chemistry analysis (major organ function), urinalysis and thyroid screens. These tests help us to better evaluate your pet’s health and pick up on early changes.
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