Preventative Medicine for Dogs
Physical Exam: finds any physical abnormalities and determines if vaccinating is safe.
Rabies vaccine: prevents rabies if pet is bitten by a rabid raccoon, skunk, bat, etc.
"Distemper" vaccine: prevents disease caused by 5 viruses that cause respiratory, intestinal, and liver infections.
Leptospirosis vaccine: Helps prevent bacterial disease that animals and humans contract from infected soil and water.
Fecal exam: checks for intestinal parasites that are not seen with the naked eye and can pass to people, especially kids.
Heartworm test: tests a few drops of blood for worms that get into the bloodstream and heart from a mosquito bite. Needed prior to preventative.
Heartworm preventative: once-a-month chewable pills or injection that lasts 6 months to prevent heartworm disease and intestinal worms. Cost based on size.
Spay/Neuter at 5-6 months old: besides preventing puppies, helps prevent disease like breast cancer and uterus infections in females; and prostate disease, aggression and fight wounds, and urine territory marking in males. Cost based on size.
Recommended in some Cases
For ALMOST ALL DOGS FLEA PREVENTATIVE is a once-a-month prescription drug that is more effective than over-the-counter chemicals.
For dogs that spend time in TICK AREAS (woods, weeds); LYME VACCINE helps prevent the arthritis disease carried by deer ticks.
For dogs with EXPOSURE TO OTHER DOGS: KENNEL COUGH / BORDATELLA vaccine helps prevent common respiratory airborne infection (especially common at kennels and groomers).
For ALL DOGS PRIOR TO SURGERY, required for dogs 7 YEARS AND OLDER: PRE-ANESTHETIC BLOOD TESTS detect diabetes, liver and kidney disease, and anemia before they are seen on physical exam.
For MIDDLE-AGE DOGS: WELLNESS BLOOD TESTS to check internal organs plus electrolytes and white blood cells.
For healthy dogs 10 YEARS AND OLDER: GERIATRIC PROFILE. Full blood profile and chest x-rays to check internal organ function and view heart and lungs.
For IDENTIFICATION: MICROCHIP IMPLANT. A very small chip under the skin that is scanned by shelters in any lost animal in a national registry.
To defer large expenses: PET HEALTH INSURANCE. Like human insurance, covers pet medical bills by paying an annual premium. Costs vary with program and age - check brochure.
