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Vaccine recommendations
We make vaccine recommendations for your pet after evaluating their risk factors.
Puppies are given three does of Distemper, Parvovirus, and Adeno-2 vaccines spaced every 3 to 4 weeks until they are 14 - 16 weeks of age. This vaccine is boostered one year later and then every 3 years. Periodic vaccine titers may be recommended for your pet to help determine how well protected they are. |
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Puppies receive their first Rabies vaccine when they are 3 months old. This vaccine is boostered one year later, then every 3 years.
Puppies receive two doses of Leptospirosis vaccine at 3 week intervals. This vaccine is then boostered yearly. We do not routinely give Leptospirosis vaccines to toy breed dogs because of the risk of vaccine reactions.
Bordetella and Influenza Vaccines are recommended if the dog has a high risk of exposure, including: boarding, grooming, showing, or training classes. The Influenza Vaccine is boostered yearly after an initial two dose series. The Bordetella Vaccine is boostered every 6 months
We recommend Lyme vaccines for all dogs who are exposed to ticks. Lyme disease is now the most common tick borne disease in Virginia. |
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Vaccine plans for your elderly dog should be discussed with your veterinarian. |
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Deworming:
All puppies and their mothers should be de-wormed for Roundworms at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age and then started on Interceptor or Sentinel Heartworm preventative. This safe and effective preventative medication also prevents Roundworm, Hookworm, and Whipworm infections. All dogs with visible signs
of tapeworms (segments on their anus, tail or stool) should be de-wormed for tapeworms with a medication that can be sent home. Fecal exams should be performed on all dogs at their initial visit. Puppies should have fecal exams repeated 2 to 4 times before they turn one year old. Adult dogs should have fedal exams performed once or twice a year. |
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Physical Examinations:
Complete physical examinations should be performed on all dogs under the age of 7 yearly.
Complete physical examinations should be performed on all dogs over the age of 7 every 6 months |
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Laboratory Tests:
Our doctors feel strongly that periodic laboratory tests improve our ability to properly care for your pet. Pre-surgical blood tests are offered for all our surgical patients. All dogs 7 years of age or older should have these blood tests performed prior to each anesthetic episode. We recommend yearly blood tests for your pet.
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The Junior Wellness Profile is for dogs between the age of 1 and 7. It includes a complete blood count, blood chemistries, a fecal, Lyme disease and Ehrlichia testing, and a heartworm test.
The Senior Wellness Profile is available for all dogs age 7 and older. It includes a complete blood count, extensive blood chemistries, a thyroid test, a urinalysis, and a heartworm test. We are pleased to offer these two profiles to our patients at a significant discount. |
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Heartworm Preventative
Heartworm Preventative is strongly recommended for all our canine patients year round. It prevents a disease that is endemic in dogs in Central Virginia. This disease can be fatal, and although treatment is available, the treatment is difficult for the dog to undergo and is expensive. Blood testing for Heartworm disease is performed yearly. Dogs need to be maintained on year round Interceptor or Sentinel |
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Dental care
Dental care is extremely important for all pets. Gingivitis, gum disease, tooth root abscesses, broken teeth, and injured tooth roots happen commonly. Not only can these problems cause great discomfort, they can lead to lung, heart, and kidney disease if not treated. All canine patients should have their teeth checked at least once yearly. If tartar is accumulating, they will need to have their teeth professionally cleaned under anesthesia. This is very important to have done whenever it is recommended. Some dogs need this procedure done every 6 to 12 months to keep their mouth healthy. |
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Brushing teeth at home daily is the best way to keep your pet's teeth healthy. Other things that are helpful include: giving the dog tartar control chewies, using a tartar prevention diet like Hill's Canine T/D, and applying an oral rinse like CET oral hygiene rinse.
At every physical exam we will evaluate your pet's teeth and advise you when they need to have professional dental cleaning. This becomes a routine every 6 - 12 month procedure for many pets.
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Fleas and Ticks
Fleas and ticks carry disease, so all dogs should be on great flea and tick control. Using the Heartworm Preventative, Sentinel, will also prevent flea infestations by sterilizing fleas feeding on the dog We recommend using Frontline Plus monthly all year long. Keeping ticks from biting is very important since ticks carry Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Ehrlichia. It is now estimated that 90% of fleas carry disease causing organisms.
There is now a highly effective flea pill called Comfortis that is given to dogs once a month.
Preventic Collars are very effective for ticks as well. This collar should be taken off your dog when he goes swimming. This collar should never be chewed on, so trimming the excess off after fitting it to your pet is important. |
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Dog School:
We recommend that all puppies attend a puppy socialization class and that all dogs attend at least one basic obedience class. All training should be done with rewards and classes should be fun for both the owner and the pet!
Patty Warren, LVT owns Golden Rule Dog School and holds many of her agility classes in the Animal Hospital's backyard.
Another great positive training facility, Canine Campus is located in Charlottesville near C'ville Coffee. Owner, Devon Gaston offers all levels of training.
For private lessons, we recommend Tara McLaughlin and Good Dog Training. |
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