Our canine core shots include rabies, distemper (dapp), leptospirosis (lepto), lyme, heartworm/lyme/enrlihia test, fecal (stool sample), and annual exam.
If you would like to know what these vaccines cover or what the testing could find, we have included that information below.
*Rabies – a fatal, viral infection that is found in the saliva of infected wildlife or unvaccinated animals and is usually transmitted through a bite. Because humans are also at risk for Rabies, it is a state regulation to have your pet up to date on their rabies vaccination. This vaccination is given at 16 weeks of age and is good for 1 year. After the first year, a 3-year rabies vaccination can be given as long as it has not become overdue.
*Distemper– a contagious upper respiratory disease caused by a herpes virus, symptoms include sneezing, nasal congestion, conjunctivitis. Cats can become chronic carriers of this virus and battle with lifelong infection. This vaccination is given in combination with Calici and Panleukopenia and started at 8 weeks of age, and then a booster is given every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age.*Calici –a virus that also causes upper respiratory infection as well as oral ulcerations. *Panleukopenia – also known as feline distemper is caused by a virus that attacks the white blood cells, symptoms include loss of appetite, fever, depression, vomiting, diarrhea.
*Leptospirosis – is a spirochete bacteria that dogs can come into contact with by walking or swimming through infected soil or water, or by drinking contaminated water. The soil and water becomes contaminated by urine of infected wildlife. This bacteria is zoonotic and causes liver and kidney damage that can be life threatening. This vaccine will need to be booster again in 3 weeks.
*Lyme – is a tick transmitted bacteria that causes lameness due to inflammation of the joints and more seriously can cause damage to the kidneys; will need to be booster again in 3 weeks.
*Heartworm/Lyme/Ehrlihia Test – Heartworm disease is caused by the parasitic worm Dirofilaria immitis. These parasites are transmitted (as microscopic larvae) through the bite of an infected mosquito and eventually live and grow in the lungs and heart of infected dogs. Although heartworm disease is not always fatal, some dogs develop permanent damage to their heart and lungs, which can result in heart failure and death.
Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis are known as tick-borne diseases because they are transmitted when ticks bite and feed. Because ticks can carry more than one of these diseases, and dogs can be bitten by multiple ticks, infection with Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis can occur at the same time in the same dog.
*Fecal Test – detects internal parasites, such as roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms living in the intestinal tract. Puppies commonly contract roundworms or hookworms from their mother. People are also at risk for roundworms and hookworms by coming into contact with infected soil or feces.
*Annual Exam – Dr. Stevenson will also do an exam with your dog’s annual shots. She checks nose, throat, mouth, teeth, gums, eyes, ears, coat, skin, lymph nodes, legs, paws, back, nervous system, heart, lungs, GI tract, abdomen, urinary, and genitals.
Preventive Care Diagnostic Bundle
Dr. Stevenson believes in the importance of diagnostic testing to detect early changes in your pet’s organ functions. Pets can’t talk, so test results give pets a voice. It helps us provide longer, healthier, happier lives for pets! We recommend the following services to ensure optimal care for your healthy adult dog.
*Chemistry Profile and CBC - A blood chemistry profile, including electrolytes, provides information about your pet’s liver, kidneys, and pancreas as well as other functions of the body, such as blood sugar and hydration. A complete blood count (CBC) can identify infection, inflammation, and anemia.
*Infectious Disease Screening - Identifies whether your pet has been exposed to parasitic diseases, such as tick-borne diseases, heartworm, or other infectious diseases.
*Fecal Test - Check for intestinal parasites, which may live in your pet’s gastrointestinal tract. Since they are usually hidden from view, the only way to detect the presence of most intestinal parasites and identify them is by doing a fecal test.
*Thyroid Function Test - A thyroid function test detects whether or not your pet’s thyroid gland is functioning properly. Thyroid disease is very common in older cats and dogs.
We also recommend monthly flea and tick prevention and also heartworm disease prevention. Take a look at our anti-parasite section to see what prevention would work best for your dog’s lifestyle and also some rebates we have for those products.
If you have any questions or would like an estimate on your dog’s annual exam with us, or about any of these services, please call us at 319-277-7675 or email us at [email protected]. We would be happy to assist you.
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