PutnamNorthAnimalHospital

12401 N. Rockwell

Oklahoma City, OK73142

405-722-4777 or 405-721-PETS

Scott Mason, DVM F. Kelley Ray, DVM, DABVP

PREVENTIVE HEALTH CARE FOR YOUR DOG

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1. ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAM

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR PET IS TO HAVE THEM EXAMINED BY ONE OF OUR VETERINARIANS EVERY YEAR. Pets age more rapidly than people. Examining them yearly increases the likelihood that problems can be identified and corrected or minimized as quickly as possible. We will also cover general health issues about your pet including diet recommendations, internal and external parasite control, behavioral concerns and age related issues such as arthritis. Depending upon the age of your pet we may recommend certain tests such as a CBC, blood chemistries, urinalysis, thyroid testing, ECG, radiographs and glaucoma screening. There may be some years where your pet doesn't receive any vaccines but has several tests performed instead. Our only goal is that your pet has the longest, healthiest life possible.

2. INTERNAL PARASITE EXAM

At the time of your pets' annual exam we will examine a stool or fecal sample. Typically the sample we obtain from your pet is a fairly small quantity.

Why do I need to bring in another stool sample?

To ensure we perform the most accurate assessment possible we will be sending you home a container for you to obtain a larger stool sample for us to test. The size of the sample we need is about the size of a small tootsie roll (yes, we know that's gross). A second, more accurate test by centrifugation will then be performed. This ensures we have done everything possible to make sure your pet is free of internal parasites.

Why is it so important for my pet to be free of internal parasites?

Internal parasites have many very serious implications for you and your pet. At a minimum they can cause poor hair coat, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort and weight loss. Severe cases can cause obstruction, vomiting, anemia and even death. Humans are at risk also because the larvae of some parasites can penetrate the skin and cause cutaneous (skin) or visceral (internal organs) migrans. This can cause skin lesions, blindness, organ failure and even death, especially in small children. WE RECOMMEND EVERY PET BE ON A YEAR ROUND INTERNAL PARASITE CONTROL PROGRAM.

3. VACCINATION

Recent advances in veterinary medical science have resulted in an increase in the number and type of vaccines that are available for dogs and improvements are continuously being made in safety and efficacy. Some vaccines are more or less routinely advocated for all dogs ('core' vaccines) whereas others are used more selectively according to circumstances. However, in all cases the selection of the best vaccination program for each individual dog, including the frequency of repeat or booster vaccines, requires professional advice. There is always a chance that your pet might be exposed to an infectious agent that he or she wasn't vaccinated against. Therein lays the dilemma. The bottom line is we want to protect your pet but minimize the risks of any potential reactions or side effects.

Currently dogs can be vaccinated against several different diseases:

‘Core’ Vaccines:

  • Distemper, caused by CDV or canine distemper virus.
  • Parvo, caused by CPV or canine parvovirus.
  • Hepatitis, caused by canine adenovirus Type-1.
  • Parainfluenza, one cause of "kennel cough", caused by the parainfluenza virus.
  • Rabies caused by the Rabies virus.

'Non-core', discretionary vaccines:

Kennel cough, caused by the bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica and canine adenovirus Type-2
  • Leptospirosis, caused by bacteria in the genus Leptospira. The vaccine we use includes the serovars canicola, grippotyphosa, icterohaemorrhagiae and pomona.
  • Lyme disease, caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi.
  • Giardiasis caused by the protozoal parasite Giardia
  • Corona, caused by the canine corona virus.
  • Canine flu

What are the risks of vaccination?

There are typically very few risks to vaccinations but occasionally some patients will have reactions or side effects. You may notice your dog has a temporary loss of appetite or is less lively a day or two after a vaccination, but this should resolve within 24 to 48 hours. A very small number of dogs may be truly allergic to one or more components of the vaccine and have more serious side effects such as difficulty in breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, and in rare circumstances, even death. You should let our office know immediately if you suspect your pet is reacting to the vaccines. Occasionally, some dogs will have a local reaction to a vaccine and will develop a lump or bump at the injection site. These are typically not problematic and usually resolve within two to three weeks. Please let our office know if your pet develops a bump at an injection site. Some researchers have suggested a link between vaccines in dogs and a certain type of anemia. Although the anemia is rare and vaccines have not been definitively proven to be a cause, it is another reason for us to choose just the vaccines your pet needs and not to give them vaccines unnecessarily.

Do vaccines provide 100% protection?

Vaccines will protect the vast majority of dogs but under certain circumstances vaccine breakdowns will occur. Reasons for such breakdowns or apparent 'vaccine failure' include:

  • Maternally derived antibodies. When a puppy is born and after it suckles its mother, it acquires a proportion of any antibodies from the mother. So a well-vaccinated female will confer antibodies to the diseases she has been vaccinated against and any others she has acquired naturally to her puppies. Such antibodies protect the pup against those diseases for the first 2 or 3 months of its life, arguably the most critical period. However during this same period the maternally derived antibodies can block the effects of vaccination of the pup. This blocking effect decreases as the maternal antibody gradually disappears over those 2 to 3 months. A point in time is reached when vaccination can be successfully given. Unfortunately this point varies between pups, mainly because the amount of maternal antibodies that each pup receives is variable. This is part of the reason that a minimum of two vaccinations are usually given two to three weeks apart in the puppy vaccination program. Maternal antibody interference has been a particular problem with canine parvovirus vaccination.
  • Incomplete immune response. There is variation between dogs in their immune system. Some dogs don't respond as well as others to vaccinations, so immunity may be incomplete or shorter-lived than normal. Certain breeds and genetic lines have a tendency for such problems.
  • Declining immunity. Without booster vaccinations, or without natural boosting of immunity by sporadic exposure to the infectious agent in nature, immunity to the specific organism declines over time, particularly in older age. There may come a time when, if there is a particularly heavy dose of the organism from the environment, the declining immunity may be insufficient and overwhelmed with a disease resulting.
  • Immune suppression. Certain infections and some drugs, such as anti-cancer drugs, may cause a suppression of the immune system so that an otherwise well-vaccinated dog becomes susceptible to infection and disease if exposed.
  • New strains of organism. Some infectious agents exist in different strains or new strains evolve, that are not directly covered by the vaccines given. There may be some ‘cross-protection’ but it may not be complete.

The above are not the only reasons for vaccination ‘failure’ but they are the most likely explanations.

Which vaccines are needed in dogs?

This is a difficult question and will depend on individual circumstances including the area you live in and the lifestyle of your dog. As mentioned before, certain vaccines are more routinely given and are regarded as 'core' vaccines. Others may or may not be advised depending on the particular situation of your dog. We will assess the relative risks based upon your circumstances and advise you accordingly.

Canine parvovirus infection

This highly contagious disease can cause severe vomiting and bloody diarrhea, and can lead to dehydration, shock and death. It affects puppies and older dogs the hardest. While it's transmitted through an infected dog's feces, this extremely hardy virus can be readily transported on dog's hair and feet, people's clothing and shoes, as well as water bowls and other objects. An infected dog sheds millions of these viruses daily.

Canine distemper infection

A very contagious disease that is highly fatal in puppies. It is also seen in unvaccinated dogs. It can cause diarrhea, pneumonia, seizures, paralysis and death.

Adenovirus Type - 1 and Type - 2

Type - 1 causes infectious canine hepatitis which can affect the liver and lead to death. Type - 2 causes one form of canine cough.

Kennel cough or canine cough

A highly contagious respiratory disease which causes dogs to cough, sneeze and gag. The two major causes of kennel cough are Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria and the parainfluenza virus. Because this airborne disease is so readily spread from dog to dog, vaccination is recommended for all dogs annually and every six months for dogs that are shown, boarded, groomed, play at the dog park or is exposed to other dogs periodically. Due to the complicated nature of kennel cough and other potential causes, some vaccinated dogs may still get a milder form of kennel cough and still need treatment.

Rabies

This is such an important disease because of the almost 100% fatality rate of cases once symptoms occur, and because of its potential transmission to people by bites from infected animals. Rabies vaccination is an essential part of the vaccinations program for all dogs and is required by local and state law. Any dog that spends time outdoors may be exposed to wild animals that can transmit this incurable, fatal disease. This threat is commonly spread by contact with the saliva of infected animals through bites or a break in the skin.

Leptospirosis

This bacterial infection, which is transmitted by contact with the urine of infected animals, can lead to permanent kidney damage. It is of particular concern in areas of flooding because it can be spread to other pets, as well as to humans. The most common place your dog may be exposed to this bacterium is from contact with outdoor water sources. These can include backyard ponds, the dog park, going to the lake, hunting, hiking and playing in greenbelts as well as many others. The vaccine we use protects against the most serovars (variants) of this bacterium that is available. We recommend your dog be vaccinated against this bacterium if they have exposure to any outdoor water sources.

REGULAR VACCINATION IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF ROUTINE HEALTH CARE FOR YOUR DOG AND HELPS ENSURE YOUR DOG REMAINS FIT AND WELL.

What vaccines should not be given?

Currently, there are many opinions of which vaccines should and should not be given. We follow the recommendations of the AVMA as well as the American Animal Hospital Association. They are the leading experts in the country regarding canine medicine. It is the general consensus of these national experts that the vaccine for Corona virus should never be given. The Giardia vaccine should only be given to dogs with continual exposure to this parasite and the Lyme disease vaccine should not be given in Oklahoma at this time as there is no good evidence to indicate that the disease is prevalent and affecting dogs here.

4. PARASITE PREVENTION

Canine heartworm disease remains a major threat to your dogs' health. It is caused by a blood-borne parasite called Dirofilaria immitis which is spread from dog to dog by mosquitoes. It can take a number of years before dogs show outward signs of infection and it is usually quite serious by that time. The most obvious signs are a soft, dry cough, shortness of breath, weakness, nervousness, listlessness, and loss of stamina. WE RECOMMEND ALL DOGS BE ON YEAR ROUND PARASITE PREVENTATIVE.

 What product is best for my dog?

There are many products marketed today for prevention of canine heartworm disease. The drug we like best is Milbemycin and is found in Sentinel. It prevents heartworms, deworms your pet for hookworms, roundworms and whipworms and controls fleas. It should be given once a month on the same day on a full stomach.

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A LIFETIME OF WELLNESS-DOG

For adult dogs over the age of 1 year

  • Annual comprehensive physical examination
  • Weight check / Body condition scoring
  • Nutritional assessment
  • Dental examination
  • Stool checks for intestinal parasites
  • Heartworm testing
  • Vaccinations based on lifestyle
  • Monthly Heartworm prevention/parasite control

As your pet matures and grows older we will recommend wellness tests throughout their life to help you keep them as healthy as possible. The Doctors' recommendations are based on:

AGE

BREED

CURRENT HEALTH STATUS

Young Adult (1-5 years)

  • Spay / Neuter— if not done as a puppy (will require pre-anesthetic bloodwork)
  • Bloodwork: Basic chemistries and CBC - general screening or pre-anesthetic for dental cleaning
  • Dental cleaning— if needed

Mature (6-9 years)

  • Spay / Neuter— if not done as an adult (we do not recommend keeping any pet intact past 6 years of age)
  • Bloodwork: Basic chemistries and CBC - general screening, medication monitoring or dental cleaning

Thyroid testing-screening for thyroid conditions or medication monitoring

  • Dental cleaning— usually done yearly when necessary
  • X-ray—screening or monitoring for heart conditions, osteoarthritis

Senior (10-12 years)

  • Spay / Neuter—pet is now at serious risk for life-threatening conditions (infection or cancer)
  • Bloodwork: Basic chemistries and CBC - general screening, medication monitoring or dental cleaning

Thyroid testing - screening for thyroid conditions or medication monitoring

  • Dental cleaning— normally done yearly for the over-all health of pet
  • Urinalysis—screening for bladder or kidney conditions
  • X-ray—screening or monitoring for heart conditions, osteoarthritis

Geriatric (13 + years)

  • Spay / Neuter— pet is at extreme medical risk for life-threatening illness (infection or cancer)
  • Bloodwork: Basic chemistries and CBC - general screening, medication monitoring or dental cleaning

Thyroid testing - screening for thyroid conditions or medication monitoring

  • Dental cleaning—normally done yearly to help maintain health of pet, may need to be done twice a year based on condition of the mouth
  • Urinalysis—screening for bladder or kidney conditions
  • X-ray—screening or monitoring for heart conditions, osteoarthritis
  • ECG—monitoring the electrical activity of the heart

Additional tests not listed here may be recommended as needed to evaluate specific medical conditions.

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