During these unprecedented times in our world when there are so, so many unknowns that mess with our psyche, when the world is at a “stand still” because of the lack of ONE vaccine, we can take time to reflect on diseases we have been able to prevent through vaccinations for both animals and people. Sometimes, the best way to ground ourselves again is to go “back to the basics”.
To do this, I’ve decided to outline a fundamental cornerstone of veterinary medicine – PREVENTION of disease. Preventative medicine is far more than annual wellness exams and vaccinations. The definition of veterinary preventive medicine is “a field of veterinary medicine that focuses on the detection and dissemination of information to prevent, control, or eradicate diseases that may affect both animals and humans.”
- Questions to think about before an annual wellness exam with your pet’s doctor
- Where does your pet spend its day?
- What activities do you and your pet enjoy together?
- Is my pet a puppy/kitten, young adult, mature adult or senior?
- How is your pet’s body condition score? This will be assessed by your veterinarian during your pet’s visit.
- Are there are behavior changes that you have noticed in your pet?
- Are there any signs for pain, discomfort or changes in mobility?
- Has your pet’s bathroom habits changed? i.e. urinating more, having loose stools, inappropriately urination or defecation.
- What are possible medical concerns you would like to discuss with the veterinarian?
Canines:
- Annual wellness examinations
- As pets get older, biannual wellness examinations maybe recommended.
- Annual examinations are designed to evaluate many aspects of a pet’s life
- Through obtaining a detailed history regarding Lifestyle, Life stage, Nutrition, Behavior and pain assessment and in combination with a ‘nose to tail’ physical examination of your pet, alertness, body condition, general, dental, major organ system health and pain assessments are made by the veterinarian.
- Vaccinations
- “Core” vaccines for dogs are the vaccines that ALL dogs should receive.
- Distemper combination
- 4 vaccines in one – Canine Distemper Virus, Adneovirus-2, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza
- Rabies
- Fatal zoonotic disease that animals are legally required to have proof of vaccination.
- Distemper combination
- “Non-core” or “lifestyle” vaccines are based on individual pet’s lifestyle or exposure risk.
- Lyme
- Any dog that has risk of tick exposure
- Leptospirosis
- Zoonotic disease that is transmitted by the urine of rodents and wildlife.
- Bordetella (Kennel Cough) & Canine Influenza
- Exposure to groups of dogs in an enclosed area, such as boarding, grooming or show venues
- These are 2 separate vaccinations, discuss with your veterinarian.
- Lyme
- “Core” vaccines for dogs are the vaccines that ALL dogs should receive.
- Annual diagnostic testing
- Fecal examination
- for intestinal parasites
- Heartworm testing
- NURVC utilizes Idexx 4dx SNAP test, which tests for Heartworm Disease and 3 tick borne diseases – 1. Lyme, 2, Anaplasmosis, 3, Ehrlichia
- Early disease detection screening
- Based on life stage– young, mature, or senior
- Tests that evaluate to look at internal organ function
- Fecal examination
- Year-round preventives
- Heartworm and intestinal parasite prevention
- Flea and Tick Prevention
- Microchip Identification
Felines: “Cats are not small dogs”
- Annual wellness examination
- As a pet gets older biannual wellness examinations maybe recommended.
- Annual examinations are designed to evaluate many aspects of a pet’s life
- Through obtaining a detailed history regarding Lifestyle, Life stage, Nutrition, Behavior and Pain assessment; in combination with a ‘nose to tail’ physical examination of your pet’s alertness, body condition, general, dental, major organ system health and pain assessments are made by the veterinarian.
- Vaccinations
- “Core” vaccines for cats
- Feline distemper combination
- 3 vaccines in 1 – Feline Panleukopenia virus, Feline Herpesvirus-1, and Calicivirus
- Rabies
- Fatal zoonotic disease that animals are legally required to have proof of vaccination.
- Feline distemper combination
- “Non-core” vaccine
- Feline leukemia virus
- Based on lifestyle and exposure risk
- Feline leukemia virus
- “Core” vaccines for cats
- Annual diagnostic testing
- Fecal examination
- Checking for intestinal parasites
- Feline Leukemia (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) test
- Based on lifestyle, goes outside unattended or has exposure to another cat that’s FeLV and FIV status is unknown.
- Early disease detection screening
- Based on Life stage – young, mature, senior
- Tests that evaluate to look at internal organ function
- Fecal examination
- Year-round preventatives
- Heartworm and Intestinal parasite prevention
- Flea and Tick Prevention
- Microchip identification
There are a multitude of Heartworm and Flea and Tick products available in today’s market; however, they are not all created equally. NURVC small animal veterinarians have researched evaluated and determined the BEST products currently available to effectively protect your pets and mitigate side effects.
Please feel free to contact NURVC at 507-233-2500 to discuss an individualized risk assessment and recommendations for your pet. We would be happy to customize a prevention plan for your pet(s).
Stay healthy & safe!
Dr. Stacy Melzer
Soucres: www.avma.org