Party Colored Cocker Spaniels

What Does My Dog Need?
This is often the question asked by a first time caller to a veterinary clinic.  Unfortunately, there is no concise answer to this question.  Every pet comes to the veterinary practice from a different place.  Some are older, some are younger, some have had vaccinations, some not, and every pet is going into a different family with varying expectations and life styles.
   
At Perrysburg Animal Care, using the latest advances in care and medical expertise, we tailor your pet's immunizations and care to their and your specific needs. What we can tell you is that we have a goal for each pet although each pet will take a different route to reach that goal.

The first thing that your pet needs is something you can provide.  A warm loving home and the committment to provide this environment for the pet's entire life. 

What do we recommend for your dog?
Every pet should receive a physical examination twice per year.  WHAT?!   Pets age about five years to every one of your years, therefore an exam twice per year equals a visit to your doctor every two and one-half years.

Dogs should be on heartworm preventive twelve months per year.  This is the recommendation of the National Heartworm Council.  Dogs also need to be checked for heartworm once per year.  This is a blood test that measures antigen developed by heartworm adults in the dogs heart if they are infected.  We start puppies on preventive medication at the first visit, but don't perform the first heartworm test until six months of age.

Dogs should be vaccinated for rabies**.  It is required by law in Wood County.  In Ohio, the first rabies vaccine is licensed for one year.  After the first year, the next booster is good for three years. Please be informed that the Wood County Sheriff does go door to door in Perrysburg requesting proof of rabies vaccination and will issue a fine if the owner is not in compliance with the law.

Distemper Vaccinations**:  This is a catchall name for a vaccine that actually protects your dog from six different diseases.  Those diseases are Canine Distemper, Canine Hepatitis, Canine Parainfluenza, Leptospirosis (4 valent), Parvovirus and Corona Virus.  To be effective, a puppy must receive a series of these vaccinations.  How this series is handled depends on the age of the puppy and what vaccines the puppy may have had prior to his first visit to the practice.  We give these vaccinations at three week intervals. As adults, we give the Leptospirosis portion of the vaccine yearly. We do not give adult corona virus vaccines and the remainder of the vaccine is given at a three year interval.

Bordetella:
The bordetella vaccine is for a disease commonly called kennel cough.  Kennel cough is often caught if dogs are in groups such as in obedience classes, dog grooming salons, boarding kennels or dog shows.  We do see the occasional random case.  Kennel Cough is a tracheal bronchitis and is annoying to the owner and dog and may leave the patient susceptible to other infections.  Protection requires an initial two vaccination series and then yearly boosters. 

 An Intestinal Parasite Check is an exam designed to find parasites (worms) in the dog's digestive system.  These parasites may be transmitted from the mother to a puppy or can be contracted by the dog coming in contact with infected ground or dog or other animal species.  This test is usually performed by taking a small sample of fresh bowel movement from the dog, mixing this with a special solution, and then examining the sample under a microscope to look for eggs of parasites.

An optional vaccine is for Lyme Disease.  Lyme Disease, like that in humans, is spread by ticks.  If your pet vacations, hunts, visits, or lives in an area with heavy tick infestations, then this vaccine is recommended.

Diagnostic Blood Work.  Unfortunately our crystal ball is broken and our patients are not fitted with ONSTAR^TM so blood laboratory values become important to completely assess your pet's health.  As a young animal, blood work is strongly advised prior to anesthetic procedures and every two years to establish a baseline value for your pet.  After 7 years of age, blood tests are required before any anesthetic procedure and should be performed yearly to monitor critical organ function.  

** Dr. North may choose to limit the number of vaccines given at any time to "2" due to recent studies in vaccine reaction with multiple innoculations in one visit. Usually the 2nd visit can be scheduled in 3 weeks with a technician to finish the required vaccines. Better safe than sorry!
Please Visit the Library found in, About Us, for More Specific Disease Information