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It’s important to maintain a dog’s health in several ways. Preventative measures such as vaccinations, heartworm preventatives, flea and tick preventatives, surgical procedures, laboratory screenings, and dental cleaning prophylaxis. Below we have outlined recommendations for each of these categories.
Recommended Vaccinations and Deworming for Puppies and Adult Dogs
- Age 2 & 4 weeks
- Deworm
- 6 to 8 weeks
- 1st DAP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus), Bordetella, Fecal, and Deworm
- 9 to 11 weeks
- 2nd DAP
- 12 to 15 weeks
- 3rd DAP, 1st Lepto (Leptospirosis 4-way)
- 16 to 18 weeks
- Rabies (1 year), 2nd Lepto
- 1 Year
- DAP, Lepto 4-way, Boredtella, Rabies (1 year or 3 year vaccine), Parasite Screen (fecal, heartworm and testing for tick diseases: Lyme Disease, Ehrlichiosis, and Anaplasmosis).
- Annually
- DAP every three years
- Rabies every year or every three years
- Bordetella every year
- Leptospirosis every year
- Parasite Screen every year
- Wellness Screen every year:
- Chem 11/CBC for adult dogs
- Chem 25/CBC/T4/UA for senior dogs
Heartworm Preventatives/Intestinal Parasite Preventatives
Most heartworm preventatives also incorporate intestinal parasite preventatives as part of their spectrum of treatment. Heartworm/Intestinal deworming is routinely done monthly. There are different products that we carry in an oral form or as a topical administration. We recommend all of our canine patients to be on heartworm and intestinal parasite preventatives.
Flea and Tick Preventatives
Fleas are a huge issue in Florida causing our canine patients skin problems when they are not on flea control products. Some products are combined to also prevent ticks as well. Some products are combined with heartworm preventatives as an “all-in-one” product. Products on the market vary, and prescription flea and tick products are superior to the over the counter products found in stores. Flea and tick products can be administered orally and topically. Currently, the oral products are the most effective products on the market for both flea and tick prevention.
Surgical Procedures
Spaying is performed on the female dog to prevent heat or estrus cycle and pregnancy. Spaying helps reduce the incidence of mammary cancer and also prevents complications such as pyometra (uterus infection) that can be life threatening. We recommend spaying between 4 and 12 months of age. Spaying also helps with behavioral issues (aggression).
Neutering is performed on the male patient. We do remove the testicles thus reducing testosterone levels and sperm production. This helps decrease prostatic issues (benign prostatic hyperplasia) as males age. Neutering also helps reduce behavioral issues (roaming, aggression, and marking). Neutering is performed typically between 4 and 12 months of age.
Laboratory Screenings
We recommend bloodwork annually on all of our patients . It is important to evaluate our canine patients routinely for heartworms, tick diseases, and intestinal parasites. We also recommend profiles that contain complete blood counts (CBC); Red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), and platelets; and a Chemistry to evaluate organ function, proteins, and electrolytes. We offer different panels based on your dog’s age (young wellness, adult wellness, and senior wellness panels).
It is estimated that 25% of patients that have normal physical exams will have some abnormality on their bloodwork. Bloodwork helps us determine problems not detected on our general physical exam. Many problems, if caught early, can be managed appropriately.
Canine Teeth Cleaning
Dogs will develop plaque that will eventually harden and become tarter on the teeth. Infection can lead to periodontal disease which can cause oral health issues as well as health issues of the heart, liver, and kidneys if it becomes advanced. Brushing helps reduce plaque. Dental prophylaxis (deep cleaning and polishing) may be necessary to maintain good oral health. A dental prophylaxis may be needed as early as 3 years of age and periodically throughout your pet’s life. At your pet’s annual examination, we will assess your dog’s oral health and recommend prophylaxis if deemed necessary.
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