Preventative Medicine
Preventative Annual Exams For Dogs And Cats Keep Your Pet Healthy!
A healthy pet is our goal! At Youngs Animal Hospital, our veterinarians suggest an annual preventative exam for all pets. During your pet’s exam, we will give your pet a full physical examination. We examine his or her vision, hearing, heart and lung functions, and test their joints and muscles. All of this information we collect during an annual exam helps us establish a baseline level of your pet’s health and allows us to better treat your pet. Remember that early detection ensures prompt action that may solve your pet’s health problem before serious consequences occur.
When you are a part of your pet’s health care plan, we believe your pet will be healthier during his or her lifetime. Exams are a great time for you to share information with us about your dog and cat’s health. We may ask you questions about your pet’s diet and lifestyle and we encourage you to ask any questions you may have about your pet during the annual exam.
Our Annual Wellness Exams Include:
- Comprehensive physical exam, including ear examination, musculoskeletal evaluation, coat and skin analysis, weight assessment, nutrition discussion
- Dental Evaluation
- Heartworm test and heartworm preventative
- Internal parasite test
- Vaccinations as needed
Additional Services For Cats:
- Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Blood Test
- Vaccination as needed, including FVRCP, FELV, Rabies
Information On Vaccines, Heartworm Prevention And Flea And Tick Control:
Rabies vaccine. Rabies is transmitted through by bites from wild animals, particularly skunks, raccoons, possums, bats, and foxes. This disease can be transmitted to humans through the bite or scratch of an infected pet/animal. Puppies and kittens will first receive this vaccination at 12 weeks of age; then will be revaccinated annually. This vaccine is required by law through the individual counties.
DHPPLV vaccine. This is a “5-way” canine vaccine that vaccinates against canine distemper, parainfluenza, parvovirus, hepatitis and leptospirosis. Distemper and parvovirus are often times fatal, especially in puppies and is why it is boostered multiple times. Puppies can be vaccinated as early as 6 weeks and are boostered every 3 weeks until 16 weeks of age. Adult dogs are then revaccinated yearly.
FVRCP Vaccine. This is a “4-way” feline vaccine that vaccinates against feline distemper (aka panleukopenia), rhinotrachetitis, calici, and chlamydia. Kittens can be vaccinated as early as 6 weeks and are boostered every 3 weeks until 16 weeks of age. Adult cats are then revaccinated yearly.
Feline Leukemia Vaccine. Feline Leukemia Vaccine is recommended for kittens and cats that are of “high risk,” such as indoor/outdoor cats/kittens.
Lyme Vaccine. Lyme is a disease transmitted by ticks and the vaccine is recommended for dogs and puppies that are considered “high risk.” This includes dogs that spend time outdoors in wooded or grassy areas, such as dog parks, campgrounds, hunting fields/meadows/ponds, and/or dogs that visit Lyme-endemic areas of the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic or upper Midwest.
Bordetella. Also known as “kennel cough.” We recommend the intranasal vaccine at 12 weeks then annually thereafter.
Heartworm Prevention. Heartworm disease is a serious disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes and if left untreated can be fatal. We recommend your dog and cat be on year round heartworm prevention starting at your puppy’s or kitten’s first visit. Your dog will need to be tested with a simple blood test for heartworm disease on an annual basis.
Flea and Tick Control. We recommend using flea/tick prevention year round in this area. Indoor pets are often subject to having fleas. We often recommend flea prevention for these pets as well, depending on lifestyle concerns.
