• Puppies:  We recommend starting vaccinations at 6 weeks of age.  They should then receive boosters every 3 weeks until they are between 14 - 16 weeks of age.  Deworming should start at 2 - 3 weeks of age and continue with vaccinations.
• Adults: Dogs that have received their beginning series should have a physical exam, fecal, and vaccinations yearly.  Dogs that are not on heartworm prevention should be checked for intestinal parasites at least twice a year.
• Vaccinations should include DHLPPC and rabies for all dogs.  If you take your dog to a groomer, boarding facility, dog park, shopping, or anywhere dogs congregate, we recommend vaccinating for Canine Influenza Virus and Bordetella.  Lyme's vaccine is recommended for dogs at risk.
• Heartworms:  All dogs should be tested yearly for heartworms and receive a monthly preventative, which is designed to prevent getting heartworms as well as deworming for roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms.

Your Cat's Good Health

• Kittens:  We recommend starting vaccinations at 6 weeks of age.  They should then receive boosters every 3 weeks until they are between 12 - 14 weeks of age.  They need to be dewormed the first time at 2 - 3 weeks of age and continue with vaccinations.
• Adults:  Cats that have received their beginning series should have a physical exam, fecal, and vaccinations yearly.  Cats that are not on heartworm prevention should be checked for intestinal parasites at least twice a year.
• Vaccinations should include FVRCP with VS-FCV and rabies for all cats.  We recommend testing kittens and new adult additions to the household for Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).  Cats that are at risk should also receive Feline Leukemia and FIV vaccines.
• Physical Exam:  Every cat should have a physical exam at least once a year.  Your vet will check for potential problems, listen to its heart and lungs, feel for abnormalities in its abdomen and legs, and check for skin tumors.
• Lab work:  Cats, especially seniors (those 6 years and up), should have lab work done every year.  This will tell the vet a lot about the health of your cat, and help spot potential problems, such as kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, and  hyperthyroidism, so treatment can be started at an earlier stage.
• Spay/Neuter:  These procedures, which can be performed as earlier as 4 months of age,  reduce pet overpopulation but also have medical benefits for your pet as well. This includes eliminating the possibility of pyometra and testicular, uterine, and ovarian cancers.  Intact males develop a very strong smell to their urine and will start marking in the house.  Outside, they have increased risks of fight injuries, diseases, and getting hit by a car while they are roaming, looking for females.  Intact females constantly cycle if they are not bred.  They have erratic behavior while they are in heat including, squalling, spraying urine, and attempting to get out of the house.  A female that has kittens may be back in heat before the kittens are weaned.
• Ears:  Cats are very susceptible to getting ear mites.  Check your cat's ears on a regular basis for a dark brown waxy discharge and take in to your vet if found for identification and medication.
• Teeth:  Cats acquire an accumulation of tartar on their teeth overtime.  Brushing their teeth does slow the accumulation of tartar.  Periodontal disease can cause abscessed teeth and bad breath.  Routine dentals are recommended.
• Skin:  Check your cat regularly for fleas, as evidenced by flea droppings (small black dots), sores, or reddened areas.  Cats can have allergic reactions to fleas, food, contact allergens, or inhaled allergens.

Dental Care

• Dentals include scaling and polishing your pets teeth.  This procedure must be performed under anesthesia and cannot be done during a regular office visit.  We use an ultrasonic dental machine to remove the tartar.  After the teeth are cleaned, they are polished.  Polishing smooths small defects in the enamel keeping the teeth healthier and preventing tartar from building up as fast. 
• Most dogs need a dental by the age of 4 and then every year or two thereafter.  Cats are more variable in their dental cleaning needs.  Frequency is determined by the individual, diet, and use of dental products.  Canned food and table scraps tend to result in more tartar and periodontal disease than dry food.
• Tartar and periodontal disease are detrimental to your pet's overall health.  This can range from simple bad breath to heart and liver disease.  Since most pets do not show signs that their mouth is painful until it is severe, bad breath may be the only outward indication that your pet is suffering from periodontal disease.  Older pets or those with periodontal disease or excessive tartar accumulations will need to be placed on a course of antibiotics, starting two days before the scheduled dental.