Vaccines

Core Vaccines  (recommended for all dogs)
Canine Distemper
Adenovirus
Parvovirus
Leptospirosis
Rabies

Non-Core Vaccines  (use is based on risk factors)
Bordetella  (Kennel cough)
Lyme
CanineFlu Virus
Coronavirus
Giardia

More info about dog vaccines

·        Recommended Tests

·         A fecal examination for parasites should be done twice in puppies (three to six weeks apart), once yearly for indoor adults, and twice yearly for dogs who are active outdoors.

·         A pre-anesthesia blood profile should be done before each anesthetic procedure to evaluate liver and kidney parameters, blood sugar and protein levels, red blood cell levels and the blood clotting time.

·         Heartworm testing is required for dogs six months of age or older on an annual or biannual basis depending on your use of heartworm preventive.

·        Exams

·         A complete physical exam will be performed with each visit for vaccines or illness.

·         Additional exams are recommended for optimal health care and especially for senior pets.  Please see the Senior at Seven Wellness Program information .

·        Heartworm Preventive

·       Heartworm disease is prevalent in Kansas City.  We strongly advocate heartworm prevention on a monthly basis with products like HeartGard® or Interceptor®  Most heartworm preventives have the additional effect of reducing intestinal parasitism.

·       Heartworm prevention will only be sold for use in pets current on heartworm testing.  Heartworm testing policy

·        Spay/Castration

·         Spaying should be done at six months of age before her first heat period.

·         Castration is recommended at six months of age.

·         Please refer to the Spay & Castration Facts That You Should Know for more info

·        Pet Identification

·         Any pet picked up by animal control that lacks identification is considered a stray animal and is subject to either adoption or euthanasia within a certain time limit.  You can identify your pet with a collar and tags, a microchip implant, or by a tattoo.

·         Tags – The easiest way to identify your pet is with a collar and custom tag bearing your contact information.  We have pamphlets available for ordering custom tags. After receiving a rabies inoculation your pet will be issued a rabies tag which will identify your pet, but only via our hospital medical records.  The finding party must contact us during regular hours to identify your pet through the rabies tag

·         Microchip Implant – The AVID® FriendChip is implanted just in front of your dog’s shoulders at the base of the neck using a syringe and needle delivery system.  Microchips can be registered with PETtracTM, a national database with twenty-four hour, seven-day-a-week access.

·         Tattoo – Tattoos are typically located on the inside of the right thigh.  Any letter or number sequence can be registered with the National Dog Registry (NDR).  Portions of the AKC number or a social security number are frequently used.

·        Life-Stage Nutrition

·         Growth diets are for puppies.  Large Breed Growth diets contain slightly less protein than Growth diets and are tailored for large breed dogs with the purpose of slowing their growth rate to minimize hip dysplasia.

·         Maintenance diets are for normally active adult dogs.  Feeding of a maintenance diet usually begins between six and fourteen months of age.  Please ask your veterinarian for breed specific advise.

·         Less-Active diets are lower in calories than maintenance diets and are geared for adult pets with minor weight problems.

·         Senior diets have slightly fewer calories, less protein than maintenance diets, and are designed for large breed dogs over six years of age, medium-sized dogs over seven years of age, and small breed dogs over eight years of age.

·         There are many symptom-specific diets on the market custom blended for dogs with specific problems such as allergies or sensitive stomachs.

·         Finally, there are prescription diets which are specifically designed for treatment of disease.  These products should only be used on the advise of a veterinarian as they may have deleterious effects if fed inappropriately.

·        Training and Behavior

·         We offer a variety of training classes starting as early as ten weeks of age.  Classes provide an opportunity to brush up on training skills while your pet has fun interacting with other dogs and people.

·        Housetraining brochures are available at the receptionist desk and this is one of many topics discussed in puppy classes.  Other puppy class topics include biting, barking, destructive chewing, digging, jumping on people, getting in the trash, principles of shaping behavior, and how to properly correct and reward your pet’s behavior.

·         For help with serious behavior problems that extend beyond basic training, contact Dr. Wayne Hunthausen for a behavior consultation.