 |
1. What vaccines does my pet need?
Puppies need 3 sets of initial vaccines. Starting at 6-8 wks of age they get their 1st Distemper/Parvo
vaccine & a Bordetella (kennel cough) if they are ever going to be in a group environment such as
boarding, grooming or training. Then in 3-4 weeks they get their 2nd set of the same then in 3-4 weeks or
after they’re 3 months old they get their 3rd set of Distemper/Parvo with a rabies vaccine.
Adult dogs need a yearly Distemper/Parvo vaccine and even though Texas now recognizes the 3 yr Rabies vaccine,
we still strongly advise yearly boosters due to the high amount of wildlife in the area and the reported
yearly cases of rabies for Collin and Denton County.
Kittens also require 3 initial sets of vaccines. Feline distemper is the basic vaccine given at 6-8 weeks of
age and again at 9-12 weeks of age with a Feline Leukemia/FIP & FIV (known as the 3 fatal viruses) given at
the same time. The 3rd set is given after 3 months of age with a rabies.
Adult cats need a yearly booster on all the vaccines, Feline Distemper, FIP, FIV and Feline Leukemia. Again,
though Texas recognizes 3 yr rabies vaccines, we strongly recommend yearly.
2. Can I get rid of fleas with a bath or dip?
No, baths and dips kill the immediate fleas but not the eggs and as soon as the dog dries any fleas in the
area can go right back on your dog.
There are 2 acceptable ways to get rid of fleas and ticks on your pet.
- Apply Frontline (for dogs and cats) or Advantix (only on dogs) or Revolution (this contains heartworm
prevention so your pet must be current on testing) to your pet. Wait 2 days and bathe to get rid of flea
dirt. Do not bathe for 2 days before or after applying as this make the topical not work.
- Give a Capstar pill ( for cats and dogs), go ahead and bathe your pet to get rid of fleas and flea
dirt. Next day give a 2nd Capstar pill if you want for extra protection. Then after 48hrs you can apply
the preventative (Frontline/ Advantix /Revolution).
3. When do I get my pet spay/neutered ?
6 months of age is recommended for spays & neuters on pets. They are developed enough for safe surgery yet
young enough to bounce back easily after surgery.
However, at any age a pet needs to be spay/neutered. Unaltered pets are more prone to cancers as they get
older. It’s never too late to spay/neuter.
4. What is the best heartworm prevention for my pet?
This depends on the type of pet and what the owner is comfortable doing. We offer a complete line of
heartworm prevention.
- HEARTGARD - The meaty beef treat to give once a month. Protects against heartworms & hookworms.
- TRIHEART - The generic Heartgard it come in a large pill form.
- INTERCEPTOR - A small pill easy to give if your pet will take a pill alone or in a pill pocket. It
protects against heartworms, hookworms, roundworms and whipworms.
- SENTINEL - Contains Interceptor & Program to sterilize fleas.
- REVOLUTION - A topical that goes between the shoulder blades on the skin, it protects against heartworms, fleas, ticks, ear mites and sarcoptic mange.
|
 |
|