Keep Your Pet's Vaccinations Current!

Vaccination Protocols

To maintain the wellness if you pet, we encourage regularly scheduled visits for preventative procedures such as vaccinations, dental care, heartworm test and examination for internal and external parasites. In the event you pet is injured or becomes ill, we have the diagnostic capability of identifying the problem as quickly and accurately as possible.

DHPP (Distemper/Parvo/Hepatitus/Lepto - All puppies, regardless of exposure level, are recommended to fulfill their DHPP series. Vaccine series is considered complete for most breeds after receiving an initial vaccine at approximately 7-8 weeks (even if earlier vaccines were given by breeder at 6 weeks), then boostered every 3-4 weeks so as the last 2 vaccines in the series are given at 10 weeks or older. Rottweiler, Doberman and Pitt Bull related breeds are recommended to have their last vaccine booster in the series at 16 weeks or later.

DHPP Combination should be boostered one year after the puppy series, and thereafter scheduled according to doctor assessment of risk level.

Rabies vaccination is given at 12 weeks or more, boostered one year later, then typically every 2 to 3 years, depending on doctor recommendation.

Bordetella is given depending on boarding expectations and contact with larger canine populations, including obedience classes, dog shows and field trials. Vaccine can be given as early as 8 weeks. The injectable form must be boostered in 2-4 weeks then annually, the IN version is an annual single dose. High risk dogs may opt for every 6 months boostering.

Level One Dogs are isolated in their homes. They go out only on a leash or under direct supervision.

1. Distemper/parvo/hepatitis/lepto is boostered every two to three years depending on doctor assessment.
2. Lyme and Lept are generally considered unnecessary, but consider home or backyard exposure to rodents and lagomorphs.

Level Two Dogs are not isolated to their homes and go outdoors without supervision. Or are in frequent contact with other dogs.

1. Distemper/parvo/hepatitis/lepto is boostered every one to two years depending on doctor assessment and age of dog (titers are an option)
2. Lepto vaccine is recommended annually.
3. Lyme vaccine can be initiated at 9 weeks or later, boostered 2 to 3 weeks after initial dose, then boostered annually. Vaccine is not restricted to spring boostering. Doctors may elect to begin the series separate from the distemper series in smaller breeds or those with low risk for Lyme exposure.

Distemper (FVRCP) for Cats - All kittens, regardless of exposure level, are recommended to have a complete FVRCP series. We recommend the initial vaccine be given at approximately 7-8 weeks, then boostered every 3-4 weeks, ending with the last vaccination at 16 weeks or later. Every risk level should be boostered one year after the kitten series is finished.

The first Rabies vaccine may be given at 12 weeks or later, then boostered at one year in all cases.

Every kitten should have a Feline Lukemia Virus (FeLv) test performed, with the option of re-testing after 16 weeks (or 60 days post first test depending on the situation) to catch any kitten incubating the virus. (i.e. barn or feral kitten tested at 6-8 weeks may test negative, but still be incubating the virus) An FeLv test is required for FeLv vaccination.

Level One Cats are isolated in their home and do not have contact with other cats.

1. Distemper (FVRCP) should be boostered every 2 to 3 years, depending on doctor recommendations.
2. Rabies vaccine is boostered every 2 to 3 years after initial 1 year booster.
3. An annual feline leukemia vaccination is generally not recommended, but consider other household animal lifestyles and likelihood of homeowners bringing in additional felines that could be carrying viral diseases. We consider vaccinating for the first 1-2 years of life (the most susceptible time period for kittens/young cats) as a good precaution in many situations.

Level Two Cats are not isolated to their home, are outdoors without supervision, or have other exposure situations to other cats.

1. Distemper (FVCRP) is boostered annually.
2. Rabies vaccine is given every 1 to 3 years depending on doctor discretion.
3. Feline leukemia vaccine is recommended as an initial 2 vaccine series beginning as early as 8 weeks and given 2-4 weeks apart, then annually. If cat to cat contact is relatively remote, the doctor may opt to vaccinate through 1-2 years of age and then discontinue, based on age-related susceptibility to FeLv.
   

Deworming Parasite Program

We recommend deworming puppies and kittens at 2,4,6, and 8 weeks of age and then once monthly until they are six months old. Clients should also bring in a fresh stool sample to examination.

Adult dogs that are on heartguard should have a stool sample exam done yearly and then dewormed at least twice yearly with a broad spectrum dewormer.

There are products available for deworming such as Drontal for cats and Drontal Plus for dogs that allow you to deworm with one simple dosage and that will take care of most parasites.