A Healthy Pet is a Happy Pet.
Whether you have a 90 lb Great Dane or a 12-foot boa constrictor, the easiest and best way to have a healthy pet is to prevent problems before they start. Preventive care includes regular exams and checkups, as well as vaccinations, dentistry, and early detection of problems through routine health screenings. Here's what you should be doing to protect your pet's health each year:
Dogs
In a dog's life cycle, a year is a long time – and many health changes can take place. That's why, from puppies to seniors, all dogs need routine annual preventive care to live longer, healthier lives.
Ideally, we should examine your dog every six months. If your dog is older or has medical problems, he may need even more frequent examinations.
During a checkup, you can expect us to review these aspects of your pet's health:
• Vaccination status
• Parasite control
• Oral/Dental health
• Nutrition
• Daily Activity
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• Vision And Hearing
• Digestive System
• Respiratory System
• Behavior
• Muscles & Joints
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• Skin & Coat
• Urinary/Bowel Habits
• Current Medications
• Nutrition, Diet |
Vaccinations For Puppies & Dogs.
Vaccinations are a vital part of your pet's preventive health care and should be administered on a regular schedule, depending on your pet's age and overall health status.
Vaccinations provide protection from a number of serious diseases, including the following:
| Distemper |
- an airborne viral disease which can affect the lungs, intestines and brain |
| Hepatitis |
- a viral disease of the liver |
| Leptospirosis |
- a bacterial diseaseof the urinary tract |
| Parvovirus |
- a viral disease of the intestines |
| Rabies |
- a viral disease that can be fatal to humans and other animals |
| Bordatella |
- a bacterial infection of the upper respiratory system, often referred to as "kennel cough" |
Recommended Vaccinations for Puppies (6 weeks to 1 year old)
| 6-8 weeks |
DHPP |
| 11-12 weeks |
DLPP |
| 15-16 weeks |
DHPP |
| Over 3 months |
Rabies (repeat 1 year later) |
| 7-9 months |
First heartworm test |
Caring for Your Senior Dog
 REMEMBER: Just like people, dogs suffer from conditions that increase in likelihood as they get older. These include heart problems, diabetes, arthritis, vision problems, hearing problems, and behavioral issues that can be treated effectively if identified early. Routine preventive care can help identify health problems before they become too serious.
REMEMBER: Older dogs and dogs on certain medications may need to have blood tests to confirm healthy liver and kidney function before undergoing routine dental cleanings, or other procedures requiring anesthesia.
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Recommended Vaccinations for Adult Dogs
Adult dogs normally receive a yearly DHPP vaccination, a yearly Bordatella vaccination, or a distemper/parvo antibody filter. By New Jersey law, a Rabies vaccination should be given every three years (after the second vaccination).
Parasite Control
Protecting your pet from parasites
Heartworm Prevention
Did you know that just one bite from an infected mosquito can send worm larvae into your pet's circulatory system? Or that the larvae mature into worms which burrow into an animal's heart and adjacent vessels making it difficult for him to breathe?
Many animals with heartworm do not show signs until about two years after developing the disease. Because heartworm is a potentially fatal illness that is preventable, we recommend treatment year-round with a once-a month preventive, such as Heartguard, which we have in the office. Some heartworm preventives also protect animals from intestinal parasites.
We recommend heartworm testing of all dogs if they are on heartworm prevention medication. If heartworm testing is negative, preventive care can be given immediately.
Preventing Intestinal Parasites
Roundworms and hookworms in the feces of infected dogs can cause serious disease in people, especially children. We recommend preventive treatment for worms to protect your dog's health as well as your own.
All dogs should have an annual fecal examination to determine if intestinal parasites are present. If parasites are found, appropriate medication will be given. When treatment is complete, we will prescribe the most appropriate preventive care. Some heartworm preventives also protect animals from intestinal parasites.
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