Veterniary Clinics | Well Pet Care | Vaccines

VCS Pets First - Well Pet Care

One of our goals at Veterinary Care Specialists, whether on the emergency or on the referral service, has been to treat the ailing patient and send it home to continue a long relationship with your family and with your general veterinarian.

We felt it was a natural extension of this concern for the continued bond between family and pet to introduce a separate service beneath our roof, VCS Pets First. Pets First is a well pet service, focused on maintaining the health of your pet through the application of the very best in routine annual examination, application of appropriate diagnostics, an extensive senior health protocol and the judicious use of vaccines and preventative medications based on the best scientific information available.

VCS Pets First was created to provide a general medicine and surgical service that places each individual pet first. Our mission is to evaluate each individual patient and make recommendations based on what is right for that pet. Maybe that means doing vaccine titers (looking at the level of immunity in the blood) rather than administering a vaccine. Sometimes it may be that your pet should receive a different heartworm or flea control medication that is not commonly used, but is in their best interest. We have the skill and the expertise to be sure that we are aware of your pet’s special needs and we will take the time to be sure that he or she gets exactly what they need. We are also prepared to discuss different options regarding the care of your pet and we are more than willing to provide you with whatever information you might require.

Well Puppy Care – Getting Your New Pet Off to a Good Start

We recommend that new puppies be examined within 24 hours of their adoption. This allows any health issues to be addressed promptly. A first examination includes a full physical examination, fecal examination and any vaccines that are indicated. Client education regarding heartworm prevention and flea control are also provided.

Recommended vaccine schedules:

• 8 weeks – Distemper vaccine (DHPP/CV) that includes vaccination for parvo virus, hepatitis, corona and parainfluenza virus, fecal examination, begin heartworm preventative and another parasite control that is appropriate.
• 10-11 weeks – Distemper vaccine described above.
• 13-14 weeks – Distemper vaccine/with leptospirosis, bordetella.
• 16 weeks – Rabies vaccine and second leptospirosis vaccine.

Well Kitten Care – Getting Your New Pet Off to a Good Start

Recommended vaccine schedules:

• 8 weeks – FeLV/FIV testing FVRCP vaccination, fecal examination and any other parasite control that is appropriate.
• 10-11 weeks – Second FVRCP vaccination.
• 13-14 weeks – Third and final FVRCP vaccination as well as 1st FELV vaccine if the patient is an outdoor cat.
• 16 weeks - Rabies vaccine and final FeLV vaccine if the patient received the first 2-3 weeks earlier.

Adult Dog and Cat Care – Making Sure Pets Remain Healthy and Active

Over the past few years, new information has become available regarding vaccination and your cats and dogs. As a direct result, you have choices to make regarding your pets preventative medical care. This document has been crafted to supply you with basic information abut the vaccines available and the ways that your pet’s preventative medical care can be managed.

Vaccines help prevent life threatening diseases and diseases that can be spread to people. It is important to be sure your pet is adequately protected from the diseases they are at risk of exposure.

Just like in people, vaccines are not without risk. They can cause reactions – hives, itching, fever, vomiting and diarrhea as immediate side effects. If a pet suffers from an immune mediated disease or cancer, vaccines are often not recommended.

Vaccines for Dogs (Canine)

The following is a general list of the vaccines available for your dog and a brief description of what they vaccinate against and which patient may benefit from the vaccine, as well as recommended vaccination schedule.

• Distemper combination (DAPP) – Vaccinates against Distemper, canine adenovirus –2, parainfluenza, and parvovirus. This is typically the vaccine that is received by puppies at approximately 8, 11, and 14 weeks of age and by adult dogs annually. The diseases that it helps prevent are serious and life threatening and remain threats to dogs’ health to this day. Once the dog is an adult it may be vaccinated every 3 years or titers (level of immunity) may be checked via a blood test to be sure your pet is adequately immunized. If your dog is an adult and has not been vaccinated at VCS, we will recommend a titer or vaccination prior to achieving the every three-year schedule.
• Bordetella bronchiseptica (Kennel Cough) – Initially given at 6-8 weeks of age and at 10-12 weeks of age. Then annually for patients at risk (regular grooming, boarding, daycare). In other words, dogs that are commonly exposed to new dogs. Vaccination 1 week prior to boarding is recommended for other dogs that have a lower risk of exposure.
• Rabies – This vaccine is given at approximately 12-16 weeks of age and then repeated at 1 year of age. After the vaccine may be administered every 3 years.
• Borrelia burgdorfi (Lymes Disease) – This vaccine is only recommended for pets that have a high risk of exposure (dogs that are hunting or working dogs or dogs that live in areas that the disease is most prevalent). In a pup the recommendation is to vaccinate at 9 weeks and then again 2-4 weeks later. For an adult, we recommend 2 vaccines 2-4 weeks apart.

The Leptospirosis vaccine is recommended for animals at risk of exposure. Dogs that are used for hunting, herding, or living in a rural environment where exposure to raccoons and other wild animals is possible. Vaccination at 12 and 16 weeks of age for pups and 2 doses 2-4 weeks apart for adults is recommended. Annual boosters are necessary

Vaccines for Cats (Feline)

The following is a general list of the vaccines available for your cat and a brief description of what they vaccinate against and which patient may benefit from the vaccine, as well as recommended vaccination schedule.

• Feline parvovirus, feline herpesvirus-1, feline calicivirus – This vaccine should be given to kittens at 6-8 weeks, and every 3-4 weeks until the kitten is 12 weeks old. This vaccine should be repeated at 1 year and then every 3 years there after. Unvaccinated adult cats would be vaccinated twice, 3-4 weeks apart and then 1 year later, then every 3 years. Also, titers (blood analysis that reveals the level of the patients immunity to these diseases) could be checked every 3 years to establish whether the cat needs to be vaccinated.
• Rabies – Vaccine is highly recommended for all cats. It is given at approximately 16 weeks of age and then yearly after.
• Feline Leukemia Virus – Vaccine is recommended for cats that are allowed outdoors or are in an environment where exposure to a FeLV positive cat is possible. It is given in 2 doses, 4 weeks apart and repeated annually.
• Chlamydophila felis – Not recommended. Only considered in multiple cat households where C.felis infections have been documented.
• Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) – Not recommended at this time.
• Bordetella bronchseptica – Not recommended. Only considered in multiple cat households where C.felis infections have been documented.
• Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) – 2 to 3 doses three weeks apart, then annually. Not recommended routinely, unless cats are allowed outdoor access or are in a household with potential FIV exposure.

Giardia lamblia is not recommended unless cat is being introduced to a known G.lamblia infectious environment.

Dog Preventative Health Care

We recommend:

• Annual examinations.
• Distemper combination vaccines be administered every 3 years.
• Rabies vaccines administered every 3 years.
• Bordatella (Kennel Cough) vaccine for patients that are at risk of exposure *– every 6 months.
• Leptospirosis Vaccine (L. grippotyphosa, L. pomona, L. canicola, L. icterohemorrhagiae) – every year (annually).
• Heartworm preventative – year round with heartworm testing every other year.
• Annual fecal examinations.
• Flea and tick prevention on an as needed basis.

Cat Preventative Health Care

We recommend:

• Annual examinations.
• Feline distemper vaccine every 3 years.
• Rabies vaccine annually.
• Only for outdoor cats – FeLV vaccines.

Senior Dog (small and medium breeds 7 years and older; large and giant breeds 5 years and older)
and Cat ( 9 years and older) Care -
Maintaining Geriatric Patients So They Remain Active Members of the Family

We recommend:

• Examinations every 6 months.
• Annual blood panels and thoracic radiographs.
• Other testing that is warranted based on the patient’s health status.
• Dentals on an as needed basis.

Vaccine Reactions

Your pet was vaccinated today at Veterinary Care Specialists. Most pets that receive vaccines do not demonstrate reactions to their vaccines. However, vaccine reactions can occur.

Here are some signs of a vaccine reaction:

1. Lethargy and fever:
   • If a fever rises above 103F or persists longer than 1-2 hours, please have your pet re-evaluated.
2. Rash or hives, facial swelling:
   • If this occurs we recommend you have the pet re-evaluated, medications can be administered that will diminish the allergic response and prevent it from affecting your pets ability to breath and swallow.
3. Vomiting:
   • A single incidence of vomiting is acceptable, but should it persist, please return to the hospital.
4. Collapse:
   • Return to the hospital immediately.

Vaccine reactions are rare and usually mild, but if you have any questions it is always best that you call.

Patients requiring emergency or specialty care have easy access to all services under one roof! Any of VCS Pets First patients needing hospitalization will receive the 24hour/7 days-a-week expert care of our experienced doctors and staff.

Routine Surgical Procedures

We suggest spaying or neutering your dog or cat by 6 months of age. The pets may be neutered earlier (called a juvenile spay or neuter) or later in life. The benefit of spaying or neutering your pet is limiting the risk of uterine infections, cancer of the reproductive system, mammary cancer, and unwanted pregnancies.

Onchyectomy (or surgical declaw) is a more controversial procedure since it is considered an elective surgery. We will be happy to discuss with you options other than a declaw. However, we feel that if a front declaw is necessary to allow your cat to continue to live happily and safely in your home then it is an appropriate procedure. Declaw of all four paws is very rarely an appropriate consideration and we will be happy to discuss this issue further during your cats physical examination. Cats that are declawed should not be allowed outside since the have been stripped of one of their mechanisms of defense.

Post-Operative Care Information

Orchiectomy (castration) - Your pet had a surgical procedure here at Veterinary Care Specialists. It was a neuter or castration. The procedure went smoothly and your pet is doing well. After this surgery there are some recommendations that we would like to share with you.

1. Be sure the you observe the incision before you go home and you look at it at least daily for the next 7-10 days.
   • Should the incision become red, swollen or a discharge develop from the incision, please call our office or return to VCS for a re-evaluation.
2. Your pet received analgesic (pain control medication) while in the hospital. We have also discharged your pet on a short course of pain medication. If you become concerned that your pet is still painful, please contact us.
3. Use the e-collar that was supplied to you to prevent your pet from injuring the incision and causing infection or dehiscence (this is when the incision opens).
4. If your pet is a dog, restrict his activity by leash walking and not encouraging any play, jumping or running for the next 7-10 days.
5. There are no sutures that need to be removed, so a post operative re-evaluation is not necessary.

Ovariohysterectomy (spay)

1. Your pet had a surgical procedure here at Veterinary Care Specialists. It was a spay or ovariohysterectomy. The procedure went smoothly and your pet is doing well. After this surgery there are some recommendations that we would like to share with you .
   • Be sure that you observe the incision before you go home and you look at it at least daily for the next 7-10 days .
   • Should the incision become red, swollen or a discharge develop from the incision, please call our office or return to VCS for a re-evaluation.
2. Your pet received analgesic (pain control medication) while in the hospital. We have also discharged your pet on a short course of pain medication. If you become concerned that your pet is still painful, please contact us.
3. Use the e-collar that was supplied to you to prevent your pet from injuring the incision and causing infection or dehiscence ( this is when the incision opens).
4. If your pet is a dog, restrict her activity by leash walking and not encouraging any play, jumping or running for the next 7-10 days.
5. Sutures or Surgical Staples should be removed in 10-14 days.

Onchyectomy (declaw)

1. Your pet had a surgical procedure here at Veterinary Care Specialists. It was a declaw or onychectomy. The procedure went smoothly and your pet is doing well. After this surgery there are some recommendations that we would like to share with you.
2. Be sure that you observe the paws before you go home and you look at them at least daily for the next 7-10 days.
   • Should the paws become red, swollen or a discharge develop from the paws or the pet appears unusually painful, please call our office or return to VCS for a re-evaluation.
3. Your pet received analgesic (pain control medication) while in the hospital. We have also discharged your pet on a short course of pain medication. If you become concerned that your pet is still painful, please contact us.
4. Use the e-collar that was supplied to you to prevent your pet from injuring the incision and causing infection or dehiscence (this is when the incision opens).
5. If your pet is a cat, we recommend that you use a paper litter for the next 7-10 days to prevent litter from becoming stuck to the incisions.
6. There are no sutures to remove.

No further re-evaluations are necessary, unless you have questions or concerns.

Dentistry

We are available to provide routine cleaning and non-specialty dental care for your pet. Should your cat or dog require more involved dental care we will be happy to refer you to the appropriate specialist.

Digital Radiography

At VCS Pets First we are always striving to provide the very best care available. For that reason we have recently purchased and Eklin Digital radiography system. Digital radiography provides many benefits over the old radiography techniques. Exposure to radiation is diminished both for your pet as well as staff members. The veterinarian is provided with extraordinary images of the highest quality. These images can be stored in the computer or placed on a disc for easy access. The images can also be sent to a radiologist for review by email.

Video Endoscopy

Endoscopy is the use of a flexible scope that can be placed in the upper and lower digestive tracts and allows visualization on a video screen of the contour, color and consistency of the structures inside the digestive system. Video endoscopy allows storage of the images capture on film and within a computer system.

The endoscope also allows us to retrieve biopsies of any abnormal tissues and retrieval of foreign bodies (things your pet might eat that the are not supposed to).

Endoscopy is another techniques that allows us to evaluate the patient while being minimally invasive.