GENERAL DOG CARE

Your new dog will receive a physical exam making sure all systems are healthy/normal when you first visit the doctor. Each visit will include this complete assessment of eyes, ears, teeth/bite, skin, heart, lungs, conformation and reproductive tract.

We discuss nutrition. Dogs should eat appropriate, good quality, easy to find dog food. Feeding from the table does not meet their nutritional needs, and may cause vomiting or diarrhea resulting in hospitalization.

We recommend Proplan food made by Purina.

VACCINATIONS

Young dogs are currently vaccinated annually against distemper, hepatitis, parainfulenza, parvo virus, corona virus. The vaccine schedule changes to a 3 year program once we feel that our patients immunity is established. We do have a 3 year vaccine available now. Also avaliable, K9 Influenza Vaccine.  Kflu is given 1 time and than a booster in 2-4 weeks; then they would get it as part of their routine annuals. We discuss the need for additional vaccines which may be given on a different schedule. The other diseases we might vaccinate against are corona virus, kennel cough, leptospirosis, or giardia.

INTERNAL PARASITES

All of our canine patients should receive a prescribed monthly heartworm preventive to protect them from this infection. Dogs will get heart worms from mosquitoes if we fail to do this. Most of our heart worm preventives protect against intestinal parasites on a monthly basis.

EXTERNAL PARASITES

It is a lucky dog that escapes the need for protection from fleas and ticks, or even mosquitoes and biting flies. For this reason we usually recommend the use of a monthly topical product that is safe, easy to apply, and water resistant. We currently use Advantix because of its comprehensive coverage and effectiveness. Bathing does kill the fleas but will not prevent re-infestation.

Feel free to ask a doctor or staff member about any of our recommendations

It is impossible to include the answers to all your questions in a simple brochure. If a friend or relative gives you advice about any of these issues and it seems in conflict with our ideas, please allow us a chance to go into more detail about our experiences.

AFTER HOURS EMERGENCIES

In order to provide you with 24 hour a day health care for your family member, we have made arrangements with the Veterinary Specialty Hospital in Cary (919-233-4911) to serve your medical needs when we are closed.