Optimal Wellness Plans for Happier and Healthier Pets
At Apple Creek Veterinary Hospital, we want to help your pet live a long and happy live, full of comfort and free of disease. Our recommendations include vaccination and other preventative care, as well as health checks yearly. We ask that our seniors come in to see use every 6 months, so that we can keep closer tabs on any changes in health and vitality.
Vaccination usually begins when a puppy is 6-8 weeks old. It takes a series of vaccinations to properly immunize your pup. The entire series must be completed before your pup is protected. In the meantime, your dog could still get sick with these diseases until two to four weeks after the final booster.
We Consider the Following to Be Essential Vaccines for Dogs:
Rabies
Essential for every dog and required by state law, because rabies can infect people. This vaccine is given at 12 weeks of age, boosted a year later, and then every 3 years.
Canine Distemper Adeno Parvo Parainfluenza viruses
This combination vaccine protects against this group of viruses that cause respiratory signs, such as coughing and nasal discharge, as well as gastrointestinal signs, such as liver problems, diarrhea and decreased appetite. Some dogs even develop fever and neurologic problems that can lead to seizures. All of the viruses that this vaccine protects against can lead to severe disease and even death and most are highly infectious. The vaccine is boosted several times in puppies and then given every 3 years throughout your dog’s lifetime.
Canine Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis exists in our environment, especially in stagnant pools of water containing contaminated urine. Wherever there are racoons, there is leptospirosis. This bacterium potentially infects your dog’s internal organs and may resulting severe permanent damage to the kidneys and liver. This vaccine is given twice to puppies, then boosted yearly
Lyme (Borrelia burgdorferi)
50% or the ticks in the Lebanon Valley have this bacterium living inside of the them, ready and able to transmit Borrelia every time they attach to your dog for an extended period of time. Because we are surrounded by woods and deer, our area is second in the country in reported cases of Lyme disease in people. Therefore, it only makes sense that this disease threatens the health of our dogs, as well. Lyme Disease can cause lameness and sore joints, kidney failure, and even fatal heart problems. Some dogs have immune systems that help them to avoid sever infection but that can still develop chronic arthritis, effecting their quality of life. Vaccination against Lyme prevents dogs from developing the more serious and sometimes even fatal symptoms. Therefore, vaccination is recommended for all dogs, even those who only go outside for brief periods of time. The vaccine is boosted in puppies, then given yearly thereafter.
Bordetella Bronchiseptica and Canine Influenza
Dogs who are regularly kenneled or ever in contact with other dogs should receive this vaccine. Most groomers, kennels and doggy daycare centers require one or both vaccines, since “Kennel Cough” and “Dog Flu” are highly contagious. Dogs that receive this vaccine may still develop a hacking cough if they are exposed to a sick dog, but fortunately they have mild symptoms. Kennel Cough, in unvaccinated dogs, can be quite serious and lead to severe and even fatal pneumonia. These respiratory diseases become more prevalent every time there is a natural disaster, resulting in the movement of rescued dogs throughout the country.
More Important Recommendations for Our Canine Friends:
- Checking a fresh fecal sample for gastrointestinal parasites at least once a year and any time your pet develops diarrhea. Please bring a fecal sample to every puppy visit.
- Yearly testing for Heartworm disease and a group of serious tick-borne diseases, Lyme, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasmosis.
- Year-round heartworm, flea and tick and gastrointestinal parasite prevention, such as Simparica Trio and Heartgard/Nexgard. Every puppy receives a complimentary first dose to get started. Ask us about ways you can save on the products we recommend.
- Spaying and neutering at the appropriate age for your pet.
- Microchipping and Dog License.
- Dental care, such as brushing and dental treats.
Healthy dog food, balanced and formulated by a reputable company. The diet should be properly balanced and nutritious, nutritious to promote a lean and conditioned body. Dogs need to eat cooked diets with grain to maintain vitality, so grain free or raw diets are not recommended.
Basic manners training, proper play and socialization.
The Following Are What We Consider to Be Essential Vaccines for Cats:
The vaccination series for kittens begins at about 6 to-8 weeks of age. The entire series must be completed before your kitten is as fully protected as possible. In the meantime, your cat can still get sick with these diseases until two to four weeks after the final booster.
Rabies
Absolutely essential for every cat. This vaccine is given at 12 weeks of age, boosted a year later, and then every 3 years.
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis Calicivirus and Panleukopenia
These diseases may all infect your cat’s respiratory tract and are highly contagious. Kittens, with their immature immune systems, are particularly vulnerable to severe symptoms, which may even lead to pneumonia and death. These viruses are often spread through secretions from the mouth, nose and eyes. Often, these cats have crusts on the nose and swollen, painful, oozing eyes. Other signs of infection include fever, decreased appetite and activity, sore tissues in the mouth, abdominal pain and vomiting. There is treatment, but recovery is not always possible.
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)
We recommended vaccinating all kittens against this virus, as they are notorious for finding their way outdoors despite our best efforts! If your adult cat spends any time outside or shares a home with an outdoor cat, we recommend yearly vaccination against this fatal illness. While vaccination helps to control the spread of the virus, it is not 100% in preventing infection. Thus, the best prevention is to keep cats indoors. Cats should be tested for FeLV before vaccination is begun.
More Important Recommendations for Our Feline Friends:
- Checking a fresh fecal sample for gastrointestinal parasites at least once a year and any time your pet develops diarrhea. Please bring a fecal sample to every kitten visit.
- Testing for Feline Infectious Anemia (FIA) and Feline Immunodeficiency virus (FIV. We recommend testing before your kitten meets any other cats, as close to 8 weeks of age as possible, and then again at 6 months of age. Additionally, your cat should be retested after any possible exposure to these infectious viruses. Both can cause severe disease and fatal consequences.
- Year-round Revolution Plus, a heartworm, gastrointestinal parasite, flea,tick and mite prevention. Every kitten receives a complimentary first dose to get started. Ask us about ways you can save .
- Spaying and neutering at the appropriate age for your pet.
- Microchipping, especially for cats that spend any time outdoors.
- Dental care, such as brushing and dental treats.
- Healthy cat food, balanced and formulated by a reputable company. The diet should be properly balanced and nutritious to promote a lean and conditioned body.
- Proper play and socialization.
- Appropriate litter boxes! We are happy to lead you through a “litter box audit” to help identify if you may have a problem.
Learn More About
Apple Creek Veterinary Hospital
Share On: