Caring for your beloved dog is a life-long commitment. Dogs age 7 – 10 times faster than people and are considered to be seniors by approximately 6 years of age. Preventative medicine is very important to keep them in the best health at all times. With regular care and attention to their needs you can substantially increase the life-span and quality of your dog’s life. Below you will find our recommendations for the life-long care of your precious companion:
Puppies:
- Feed a premium dry puppy diet
- Comprehensive physical exam at 8 weeks or weaning
- DA2PPV vaccine at 8, 12, and 16 weeks
- Rabies vaccine at 12 weeks
- Deworming at 8, 10, and 12 weeks
- Start monthly heartworm preventative at 9 weeks
- Spay or neuter at 4 to 6 months
- Heartworm test at time of spay or neuter or 5 months
Years 1 – 5:
- Feed a premium dry adult diet
- Comprehensive physical exam yearly
- DA2PPV vaccine yearly or alternative protocol (discuss with veterinarian)
- Rabies vaccine at 1 year, then every 3 years thereafter
- Annual deworming
- Young Canine Bloodwork, age 1 to 2
- Health Check Bloodwork, age 3 to 5
- Urinalysis
- Baseline EKG
- Baseline glaucoma test
- Dental cleaning annually
- All dogs should receive daily teeth brushing
- Heartworm testing annually even if on year round prevention
- Monthly oral heartworm preventative
Senior Years 6 – 21:
- Feed a premium dry senior diet
- Comprehensive physical exam every 6 months
- DA2PPV vaccine yearly or alternative protocol (discuss with veterinarian)
- Rabies vaccine every 3 years
- Annual deworming
- Dental cleaning every 6 to 12 months, depending upon diet, home care, etc.
- All dogs should receive daily brushing of their teeth
- Annual senior blood panel, urinalysis, thyroid test, blood pressure, ECG and ocular testing
- Heartworm testing annually even if on year round prevention
- Monthly oral heartworm preventative