Preventative Medicine and Wellness

Preventative Medicine

 

Wellness/Preventative Care:

At Companion Pet Clinic we strive to keep pets healthy by providing our owners with the information needed to minimize disease occurrence and injury in their pets. Our goal is to maintain the health and the well-being of our patients by preventing disease and disability.

 

Canine Vaccines:

Dogs are administered Canine Distemper, Canine Adenovirus-2, Parvovirus and Parainfluenza (DAPP), in addition to Rabies and Bordatella. The initial DAPP vaccine is administered at 6-8 weeks of age and is repeated every 3 weeks until the patient is 16 weeks of age or older.  Adult dogs previously unvaccinated are administered two DAPP vaccines given 3 weeks apart. Thereafter the vaccine is administered every 1-3 years. Rabies vaccine is generally administered between 12-16 weeks of age and booster at 1 year. Thereafter the vaccine is administered every 3 years. Bordatella (kennel Cough)vaccine is recommended for dogs that frequent dog parks, kennels, shelters, grooming facilities or dog shows.  The injectable vaccine is administered b/twn 8-12 weeks of age and repeated 3 weeks later. Thereafter the vaccine is administered every 6-12 months. An intranasal Bordatella vaccine is available. Optional canine vaccines may include Canine Coronavirus, Lyme or Leptospirosis.

Feline Vaccines:

Cats are administered Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (Feline Herpes Virus), Calicivirus and Panleukopenia (FVRCP.) The initial FVRCP vaccine in kittens is administered at 6-8 weeks of age and is repeated every 3 weeks until the patient is 16 weeks of age or older.  Adult cats previously unvaccinated are administered two FVRCP vaccines given 3 weeks apart. Thereafter the vaccine is administered every 1-3 years. Optional vaccines may include FELV (Feline Leukemia Virus), FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) and Rabies. Prior to vaccinating for FELV, FIV a simple blood test is recommended to to determine if either disease is present.

 

Prevention of Heartworm, ticks, fleas and intestinal parasites.

Heartworm disease, prevalent in all 50 states, is a serious and potentially fatal disease primarily affecting dogs, cats, and ferrets. The disease is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito that is carrying the heartworm larvae. We recommend placing puppies less than 6 months of age on a monthly preventative like Heartgard. Patients older than 6 months of age require a blood test prior to starting monthly preventative. Thereafter a heartworm test is required yearly.

Monthly prevention of fleas and ticks is administered as a topical lotion that is applied to the skin between the shoulder blades. The Brown Dog Tick, a common tick found in Arizona spreads Ehrlichia canis. Transmission of the disease (Tick fever) occurs when an infected tick bites a dog. Monthly preventatives like Frontline or Preventic collars can help control infection.

Diagnosis of common intestinal parasites (roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms, giardia, coccidia) can be evaluated with a fecal sample. Monthly prevention is an effective means of reducing infection and transmission of disease. We recommend providing a fecal sample for all puppies and kittens to look for intestinal parasites. Puppies and kittens are generally de-wormed with Drontal Plus and Drontal, 2 applications administered 2 weeks apart. A staff member can discuss with you which flea/tick and intestinal parasite treatment is best for your dog.

 

Microchipping:

Helping reunite pets with there owners. The device carries a number with the name and contact information of the owner of the pet.

 

Routine blood work for adolescent and geriatric patients:

Routine blood work is important in evaluation of proper organ function and detecting and minimizing the progression of disease. A blood test is a laboratory analysis performed on a blood sample that is usually extracted from a vein. A general panel includes a biochemistry analysis: kidney, pancreatic, and liver enzymes, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, proteins, electrolytes with a complete blood count: red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets are measured.

 

Regular Dental Cleanings:

An estimated 80% of all pets have oral disease. The mouth of cats and dogs is a great incubator for bacteria and can cause heart, liver and kidney disease. Preventative dental care (dental cleanings) are key in supporting a clean, healthy mouth and body.

 

Health Certificates:

Whether traveling w/in the United States or outside of the country we will help you through the process of providing the correct documentation.

 

Emergency and Critical care:

We are not a 24 hour emergency vet hospital, although critical patients upon presentation are stabilized, triaged, and treated immediately. Cardiovascular monitoring and stabalization, oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation, diagnostic imaging, blood transfusions and emergency surgery are available. If required, transfer to an overnight emergency facility is facilitated. We stay in close contact with the attending emergency clinician or specialist in a combined effort working together for a quick recovery.