What you can do to maintain your pet's health
There is a lot of confusion, questions, and opinion regarding how pet owners should maintain your pet in optimum health. As partners with you to maintain your pet's health, we have some general guidelines to help. The following lists are only a general guide, please consult with your doctor as your specific pet may have different health requirements.
| | Puppies 0-1 year | Adult Dogs 1-7 years | Senior Dogs Over 7 years |
| Vaccines | DA2PPC at 8, 12, and 16 weeks. Rabies at 16 weeks. Rattlesnake at 16, 20, and 24 weeks depending on weight. Bordatella at 12 and 26 weeks (if there is frequent contact with other dogs). | DA2PPC and Rabies on first birthday, then every 3 years after. Bordatella on first birthday and then every six months to year thereafter, depending on risk factors. Rattlesnake booster annually. | Repeat Adult vaccine protocol every three years thereafter. |
| Diet | Hill's Science Diet Puppy | Hill's Science Diet Adult | Hill's Science Diet Senior |
| Checkups | Doctor exam at six months with wellness profile and fecal exam, with spay/neuter between 12 weeks and 6 months. | Doctor exam at 1st birthday with wellness profile and dental cleanings(as necessary) annually. | Doctor exam every six months with senior wellness profile. |
| Other | Deworm medication at 12 and 16 weeks. Heartworm test no later than 6 months. Begin using Bayer Advantage Multi. | Bayer Advantage Multi or Advantix monthly. | Bayer Advantage Multi or Advantix monthly. |
| | Kittens 0-1 year | Adult Cats 1-7 years | Senior Cats Over 7 years |
| Vaccines | DRCP FeLV FIV | DRCP FeLV FIV | DRCP FeLV FIV |
| Diet | Hill's Science Diet Kitten | Hill's Science Diet Adult | Hill's Science Diet Senior |
| Checkups | Doctor exam at six months, with spay/neuter between 12 weeks and 6 months. | Doctor exam at 1st birthday with wellness and dental cleanings(as necessary) annually. | Doctor exam every six months with senior wellness profile. |
| Other | | | |
Bordetella-Vaccine protects against an upper respiratory disease that is commonly known as kennel cough. While it usually is not fatal it can cause great discomfort for dogs and can be extremely annoying to the owner. Vaccination is every six months to a year depending on the amount of contact your dog has with other dogs.
DA2PPC-Canine Distemper, Adenovirus/Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus, and Corona virus. This vaccination includes several viral agents important for the health of your pet. It enables your pet to develop immunity against certain serious and even fatal diseases. Pets may become infected by direct contact with other animals or indirectly, when exposed to viruses and bacteria carried in the air, soil or on clothing. Fortunately, we can easily prevent most of these diseases using modern vaccines. For this reason, even pets kept exclusively inside need to be vaccinated.
FRCP, FvRCP, DRCP-Feline , Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia (also known as Feline Distemper). This vaccine protects cats from many common viruses that they are exposed to all of their lives.
FeLV-Feline Leukemia Virus is more common in outdoor cats, it is often seen in indoor cats as well. Your cat is considered "at risk" for leukemia if he or she spends ANY time outdoors, or is exposed to a cat that goes outdoors.
Rabies-Since there is no cure, prevention by vaccination is the only solution. Vaccination is extremely important and required by law.
Rattlesnake Vaccine-Helps to minimize the effects of a Rattlesnake bite's venim injection. A doctor visit will still be necessary after a snake bite. Initial injection is followed by a booster at 4 weeks and if over 31 pounds, a second booster 8 weeks after initial injection.