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Puppy dog border collie and stethoscope isolated on blue background. Little dog on recepti

Canine Wellness Information

The following is recommended at Country View to help keep your dog happy and healthy!

Complete physical examinations:

As part of our doctor veterinary visits, a registered veterinarian will perform a nose to tail thorough examination on your dog. This examination is vital in helping to diagnose any problems or underlying illnesses. This exam may change our course of action or postpone treatments, if warranted. We recommend that all dogs have a complete physical examination at least once per year.

Intestinal parasite exam:

This test is performed using a fresh stool sample which is tested for the presence of parasite eggs via fecal centrifugation and microscopic examination, and/or parasite antigen testing. Treatment of any noted parasites will be implemented to protect you and your pet, as some intestinal parasites are zoonotic (transmissible to people). We recommend that all puppies have at least 2 fecal samples examined for internal parasites and at least annual examinations performed for adult dogs.

Heartworm and tick tests:

This test requires a blood sample and is performed in our office or by our outside lab. This test helps to rule out heartworm disease as well as illnesses caused by ticks: lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and ehrlichiosis. The American Heartworm Society recommends annual heartworm testing. 

Vaccination:

Core vaccines - These vaccines are recognized in the veterinary community as essential to the health of ALL canine patients. 

  • Canine DAP: Canine Distemper is highly contagious and often fatal. This disease attacks many organs, including the nervous system, which can be permanently damaged, even if the dog recovers. Adenovirus protects against infectious canine hepatitis which can cause liver failure, eye damage, and breathing problems. This disease can range from mild to fatal. Canine Parvovirus is very contagious, debilitating, and widespread. This virus causes severe gastrointestinal disease and is potentially fatal. In-house titer testing available!

  • Rabies: This is an incurable viral disease that affects the central nervous system and is transmitted via infected saliva through bites or any break in the skin. This is a required vaccine and only recognized legally if given by a licensed veterinarian. 

Lifestyle vaccines - We recognize that our patients have different lifestyles and degree of exposure to varying diseases. As such, the following vaccines may be recommended dependent on your dog's lifestyle.

  • Bordetella: This disease is caused by airborne bacteria and viruses. The Parainfluenza portion of this vaccine is also sometimes injected and may be the extra "P" in the DAPP vaccine. Tracheobronchitis is highly contagious, just as with the human common cold. Vaccination is imperative in dogs that will come in contact and/or be housed with other dogs. Because of the contagious nature of this disease, the vaccine is given to most of our patients. It is required at boarding and many grooming facilities.

  • Leptospirosis: This bacterial disease can be spread in wildlife urine and may be found in run-off into pounds, puddles, and streams. It attacks the liver and kidneys and is zoonotic (transmissible to people).

  • Canine Influenza: This is a highly contagious disease caused by flu viruses. The most common sign is a cough but more severe cases can develop into pneumonia. This disease is potentially fatal due to complications. This vaccine is required for our boarding and daycare guests. Risk factors are similar to those noted for Bordetella (above).

  • Lyme disease: This disease is transmitted by ticks and can result in chronic arthritis and, sometimes, death. Dogs that frequent the outdoors with more exposure to ticks are at an increased risk.

Parasite prevention:

We recommend preventatives year round. Parasite preventatives are easy to use, economical in stopping the development and spread of harmful disease, and are prescribed to protect your family -- two legged and four.

  • Flea prevention (some forms also protect against ticks)

    • Common products that we recommend (there are many others, call to ask us for further information as many of the products you can find at general stores do not provide adequate flea (and tick) coverage):​

      • Nexgard​

      • Bravecto

  • Heartworm and intestinal parasite prevention

    • Common chewable tablets we recommend:​​​

      • Heartgard​

      • Interceptor Plus

    • Ask us about Proheart 12, a year long injectable form of heartworm protection!

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