Health Maintenance and Preventative Medicine

An annual physical examination, including a heartworm test for dogs and intestinal parasite test for dogs and cats, and routine vaccinations is a vital part of your pet’s day-to-day health.  In senior patients (over the age of seven), we recommend annual senior wellness lab work, which may allow us to diagnose a potential problem early before clinical signs occur.

For dogs, a rabies vaccination and a distemper combination vaccination are given yearly.  The distemper combination vaccine protects your dog against serious infections caused by adenovirus, distemper virus,  parvovirus, coronavirus, parainfluenza and leptospirosis. A third vaccine is recommended, that proects your dog against Bordetella Bronchiseptica (kennel cough) is given intra-nasally every six months. This vaccine is an important one especially if your pet goes to the groomer, dog parks or has a visit to our boarding resort.

For cats, a  rabies vaccination and combination vaccination are given yearly.   The combination vaccine protects your cat against serious infections caused by feline rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia. The feline leukemia vaccine is given yearly only if your cat goes outdoors.