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CANINE
HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS
PUPPY
EXAM / ANNUAL EXAM
We
highly encourage having your new puppy examined within 48 hours of arriving
at your home. Finding any existing issues quickly after purchase helps
you to resolve them with the breeder. Getting your new puppy off to a
good start following our recommendations sets him/her (and you) up for
success. We provide a comprehensive physical exam every time your dog
visits us, that exam helps find growing problems early when they are easiest
and least expensive to resolve.
PET INSURANCE
Believe it or not, pet insurance is on the rise as a tool
to make sure you are able to handle the financial burden of sudden unexpected
medical expenses. We can help you work through the options.
VACCINATIONS
Our core vaccinations for dogs are Rabies and Distemper/Parvo.
Bordatella and Lyme Vaccines are given based on the dog's lifestyle and
risk factors.
Distemper
(DA2PPC): 2 or 3 doses depending on age at first dose
- Starting at 6-8 weeks of age - Give at 6, 8 and 12 weeks, followed by
yearly boosters.
- Starting at >8 weeks of age - Give at 8 and 12 weeks, followed by yearly
boosters.
Rabies
Given at 12 weeks of age, one year later, and then every 3 years thereafter.
Bordetella
(kennel cough)
Generally recommended at 8 weeks of age. 1st dose lasts 1 year. Recommend
before being commingled with other dogs (boarding, training, surgery etc.).
Lymes
Give at 8 and 12 weeks, followed by yearly boosters, based on assessment
of tick exposure risk.
INTESTINAL WORMS
The most common intestinal worms (roundworms
and hookworms) can infest people, worming your pet monthly helps to protect
your family and your pet.
Puppies: Should be de-wormed at least twice at 6 and 8 weeks
of age.
Adults: If Heartgard Plus or Sentinel are used, these products
contain intestinal de-wormers.
HEARTWORM DISEASE
The American Heartworm Association recommends all
dogs receive preventative every month, all year long, and have an annual
blood test. We have several dogs each year that test positive.
Heartgard Plus: a tasty chewable
given monthly, prevents heartworm disease, kills roundworms and hookworms.
Most clients use Heartgard Plus + Frontline for comprehensive parasite
control.
Sentinel: a tablet given monthly, prevents heartworm disease,
kills roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms, and controls fleas. Used by
clients whose pets have low tick exposure risk and who want protection
against fleas but prefer not to use Frontline.
FLEA
and TICK CONTROL
Fleas
and Ticks also bite people and can transmit disease, controlling fleas
and ticks monthly helps to protect your family and your pet.
Frontline Plus: a small amount of liquid
that is placed on the skin over the dog's shoulder blades. Apply monthly.
Controls Fleas and Ticks. Most clients use Frontline + Heartgard for comprehensive
parasite protection.
Sentinel: Monthly tablet that prevents that controls fleas
but not ticks (see our flea handout for more details).
SPAY
or NEUTERING
Recommended
between 4 and 6 months of age (before puberty). Decreases the incidence
of certain cancers and undesirable behaviors. Also, dogs that are not
spayed or neutered are more likely to roam when a neighboring dog is in
heat, having them spayed or neutered reduces the risk of being hit by
a car, fighting with other animals, and other injuries.
NUTRITION
We
recommend Science Diet. Puppies should be given puppy food fed free choice
until 1 year of age. Adult food should be feed between 1 and 8 years of
age. Starting at 8 years of age senior food is recommended. Most adult
dogs should be fed at least twice daily, but not free choice. Develop
"household" feeding habits that promote a healthy weight for your dog.
MICROCHIP
A microchip is a very small chip placed under
the skin above the shoulder blades. It provides permanent identification
in case your dog is lost and the collar/tags come off (many clients put
tear away collars to prevent choking if the dog gets caught on something)
or if the collar is removed (especially if your dog is stolen). Most animal
shelters use microchip scanners, and we scan every stray dog that is brought
to our clinic.
Our
Hours
Monday
– Thursday 7:15-12:00 and 1:00-5:30
Friday
7:15-12:00 1:00-5:00
Every other Saturday 8:00-12:00
All
Pets Medicine, Surgery and Rehabilitation Clinic, PA
106 Hwy 22 South
P.O. Box 477
Mapleton, MN 56065
507-524-3748
After-Hours
Emergency
(507) 524-3748
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