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There have been many advances in preventative medicine for our pets in the last 10 years — vaccines have become safer, and there are many quality products on the market for parasite prevention. When you combine these with annual physical exams and routine blood screens, you have the keys to providing your pets with long healthy lives.
In general, the vaccinations we have listed can be divided into two groups: “core” (necessary) and “non-core” (based on risk of exposure), which are marked with an asterisk (*).
Dogs
• Rabies – required by law for dogs over 3 months of age. Can be transmitted to humans.
• DHPP – Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza and Parvo.
• Leptospirosis* – A bacterial disease affecting the kidneys. Is shed in urine, and is usually contracted by coming into contact with a contaminated water supply. Can be transmitted to humans.
• Bordetella* – also known as kennel cough
• Lyme Disease* – a bacterial disease affecting the joints, spread by ticks.
• Corona Virus* – causes vomiting and diarrhea, and is required by some boarding kennels.
Cats
• Rabies – required by law for cats over 3 months of age. Can be transmitted to humans.
• E-4 (FVRCP) – Distemper (Panleukopenia), Rhinotracheitis,
Calicivirus, Pneumonitis - a series of highly contagious and sometimes fatal gastrointestinal and upper respiratory viruses.
• Feline Leukemia (FeLV)* – a virus that severely limits the immune system, similar to the AIDS virus in humans. Test any new cats before introducing them to your household, and vaccinate cats that go outside or come into contact with cats outside the household.
• Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)* – Interacts with the immune system. Cats at risk include the very young and very old, and any cat subject to overcrowding and stress.
Another key to keeping both the four-legged as well as the two-legged members of your family healthy, is to take advantage of the latest in parasite protection from your veterinarian. Some of the common intestinal and skin parasites that affect your pets may be transmitted to humans. Preventative medications for these fall into two main categories: Heartworm prevention and Flea/Tick prevention. We have provided a short list of the products available only through your veterinarian or by prescription:
Heartworm Prevention: treats and prevents heartworms, which are transmitted by mosquitoes, as well as several intestinal parasites, such as roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms. Examples of these are Heartgard®, Interceptor® and Revolution®.
Flea and Tick Prevention: There are a variety of products available from your veterinarian, most of which are also an easy monthly treatment, and are very safe for your pet. Here is a list of the most common treatments and their effects:
• Advantage® - Topical treatment that kills adult fleas for up to one month.
• Frontline® - Topical treatment that kills ticks for up to one month, and fleas for up to 3 months
• Revolution® - Topical treatment that kills adult fleas for up to one month, as well as treating intestinal parasites in cats.
• Program® - Once a month oral medication that prevents fleas from reproducing.
Our thanks to Northview Veterinary Hospital for providing this valuable article.
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