Prevention:

The following lists basic preventive care for your dog:

• All dogs should receive a Rabies vaccination, as rabies is still a worldwide problem. Dogs can be vaccinated at 12 weeks of age, then again at one year old. Different vaccines and communities require boosters periodically.

• All dogs should be vaccinated against Distemper and Parvovirus.  These diseases cause fatal intestinal infections.

• Many dogs should be vaccinated against Lymes disease, a tick transmitted bacteria that can cause severe arthritis in effected dogs.

• Heartworm prevention is important anywhere there are mosquitoes. Heartworm is a mosquito borne worm that may grow to 6 inches in the infected dog and cause heart failure. Once a month medication insures your dog will not contract this disease as well as common intestinal parasites.

• If your dog will be boarded, or in shows, you may want to vaccinate them against Bordatella and Corona virus.

Preventive Care For Your Cat

• Cats should also be vaccinated for Rabies. 

• Panleukopenia is a deadly disease caused by a virus much like that which causes Parvo  in dogs.  Panleukopenia is frequently called the Distemper of cats and is usually a fatal intestinal infection.  Even indoor cats should receive this vaccination.  

• Outdoor cats and cats living with other cats should be tested and vaccinated against Feline Leukemia, a common contagious cancer of cats.

• Heartworm  prevention in cats is still somewhat controversial.