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Finding the Right Veterinarian
Finding the right Veterinarians for your family pets. A partnership between you, the pet owner and your veterinarian is essential to the health and well-being of your pet. Your vet is your personal resource for all your pet related needs from Rabies vaccinations to pet food and dietary recommendations for health problems. Much like choosing your family physician, the doctor for your furry family member should be a good match for both you and your pet. As with other professionals, recommendations from friends or others you trust usually are best. Ask around and see what you can find out. Don’t go by location or convenience alone. New Patient Appointment
When moving to a new area or looking for a new veterinarian, schedule a new patient appointment. Bring your pet’s vaccination record and any other health records you may have. How did you feel about your visit and the doctor? Did he/she make you feel comfortable? Answer your questions? Did he/she listen to what you had to say? Were you rushed or did the vet take the time necessary to answer all of your questions to your satisfaction? How was he/she with you pet? Did your pet appear to like him/her or get comfortable with him/her?Check out the doctor’s professional associations and affiliations with human societies. Is the doctor affiliated with an emergency clinic? What are his/her emergency procedures? Ask to see the animal care area and kennels. Are they clean, dry, comfortable and odor-free? Notice how the staff interacts with the animals. If the clinic has multiple doctors, ask to see the same person each time so you and your pet can establish a relationship with that doctor. Trust your instincts. If you or your pet are not comfortable with a veterinarian, look elsewhere. Both you are your pet will be happier in the long run. Vaccinations
One of the primary services provided by your veterinarian is annual vaccinations for your pet. Vaccinations are usually started between six to nine weeks of age. Puppies require a series of core vaccines. Guidelines for Rabies vaccination vary from state to state, some requiring the vaccine every year and others only every three years after the first two shots. Vaccinations for cats follow a similar protocol, although the vaccines administered are different. Your vet may recommend additional vaccines, such as Bordetella. Don’t hesitate to ask about the pros and cons of each before they are administered to your pet. Your pet may not be fully protected for up to fourteen days after shots and may suffer some mild side effects afterward. Dog Vaccination Schedule
6 weeks to at least 16 weeks: DHPPC - Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus and Coronavirus(where needed) vaccination every 3-4 weeks, usually totaling 4 vaccine visits, the last 2 also including Leptospirosis. Leptospirosis can have some serious and even fatal side effects so discuss this with your vet before administering it and make sure that it is the best option for your pet.If Bordetella vaccine is desired (required by boarding kennels, obedience classes, and groomers), it is given at one visit after 8 weeks of age. If Lyme vaccine is desired (recommended for dogs spending much time in fields and forests, such as going hunting, camping, or hiking), it is given at 2 visits 2-4 weeks apart starting at 10 weeks or older. Rabies is due each year when traveling with your pet. Rabies must be over 30 days and less than one year old at the time of travel when traveling to Costa Rica or another country outside of the United States. 1 yr later: Rabies, DHLPP (Coronavirus is only a problem in puppies and is no longer needed). Bordetella and Lyme may also be administered if needed. And so on each year for the life of your pet. Schedule an annual visit with your vet about the same time each year as the same vaccinations are due each year. Cat Vaccination Schedule
6 weeks to at least 16 weeks: FVRCP = Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia (Distemper) vaccination every 3-4 weeks, usually totaling 4 vaccine visits, the last 2 also including Chlamydia. Feline Leukemia (FeLV) and FIV (Feline AIDS) testing is usually recommended for kittens. If the cat will be allowed outdoors, FeLV vaccine (after the first test) is given twice 2-4 weeks apart starting at 10 weeks or older. FIV vaccine can cause future tests to be positive, so is not recommended unless the cat also gets micro-chipped. Rabies is due each year when traveling with your pet. Rabies must be over 30 days and less than one year old at the time of travel when traveling to Costa Rica. 1 yr later: FVRCCP, Rabies(over 30 days less than 1 year old) (FeLV, if needed) And so on each year for the life of your pet, so schedule an annual visit with your vet. Same vaccinations are due each year.
Rabies Vaccine
Rabies is a preventable viral disease existing in the saliva of mammals and transmitted animal to animal. It causes acute encephalitis and is fatal if not treated. The best prevention is vaccination.In the United States, transmission usually occurs through contact with skunks, raccoons, foxes, and bats. In the U.S., cats carry more often than dogs, but in the rest of the world, dogs are the more frequent carriers. Hawaii is the only state that is free of Rabies. Symptoms appear 20 to 60 days after infection and include fever, headache, anxiety, insomnia, and hyper salivation (foaming at the mouth) One of the primary services provided by your veterinarian is early medical invention which is critical in the treatment of this disease. Remember, the best prevention is to vaccinate your pets. Choosing the Right Pet Food
The nutritional needs of your pet are different from your own. Most veterinarians recommend feeding your pet only high quality premium animal foods and leaving the table scraps to a minimum, if at all.With all the different pet food brands available, it is difficult to make an informed choice. Although there is the temptation to go with whatever is cheapest, that may not be in the best interest of your pet. Stick with premium brands, no generics. The major brands are backed by science. The companies that only make pet foods are the best and are backed by quality and research. Premium brands are more concentrated and digestible, thus producing less waste. As your pet ages, a proper diet can prolong life, and limit obesity, kidney disease, allergies, and other ailments. Diet can make a significant change in the quality of life for older pets. Special dietary needs can be met through the proper animal food. Some of the highly specialized foods, such as for kidney disease or weight loss, are available only by prescription from your animal clinic.
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