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PREVENTATIVE CARE

There is a greater opportunity to prevent dogs from contracting common diseases if they are taken for bi-annual wellness care check-ups.

With each of your dog’s physical examinations, we consider their health status, age, and environment to build a medical profile that is unique to your dog. After analyzing this information, we are able to create a course of prevention and treatment that will provide continued good health and well-being for your dog. We also view these visits as a time for you to voice your own questions and concerns. We understand the benefits provided when you are part of your pet’s health care plan.

WHAT DOES A WELLNESS EXAM INCLUDE?

  • Physical examination of all systems, including a dental examination​

  • Testing for Lyme and heartworm diseases, as well as Ehrlichia and Anaplasma, two other tick-borne diseases

  • Discussion of flea, tick, heartworm, and intestinal parasite prevention or treatment

  • Nutritional and dietary assessment

  • Stool sample check for intestinal parasites

  • Discussion of available vaccines and individualized recommendations for your dog

  • Thorough discussion of any abnormal exam findings and recommendations for early intervention and treatment

VACCINATIONS

  • Rabies Vaccine *required by law*

    • Rabies is transmitted through by bites from wild animals, particularly skunks, raccoons, opossums, bats, and foxes. This disease can be transmitted to humans through the bite or scratch of an infected pet/animal. Puppies will first receive this vaccination at 12 weeks of age, then again at their first annual check up. The Rabies vaccine can then be given every 3 years thereafter, as long as your dog receives the Rabies boosters on time. This vaccine is required by law.

  • DA2P Vaccine

    • This is a "3-way" canine vaccine that vaccinates against canine distemper, adenovirus type 2, and parvovirus. Distemper and parvovirus are often times fatal, especially in puppies. Puppies can be vaccinated as early as 6 weeks and are boostered every 3 weeks until 16 weeks of age. Adult dogs are then revaccinated every 1 to 3 years.

  • Lyme Vaccine

    • Lyme is a disease transmitted by ticks. Not all dogs who are infected show signs of lyme disease, but it can cause pain in the neck, back, and joints; fever and malaise; lymph node enlargement; and in severe cases, kidney failure. Unfortunately, we live in an area where lyme is considered “endemic”. Lyme disease is best prevented by vaccination, along with faithful control of ticks both on your pet and in their environment. Ask our veterinarians if the lyme vaccine is right for your dog.

  • Leptospirosis

    • Leptospirosis is a bacteria that can cause liver and kidney failure. This disease can be spread to humans. The bacteria can be carried by any mammal, and it is spread through bodily fluids of infected animals. Although not considered one of our core vaccines, leptospirosis protection is recommended for dogs who may have exposure to wildlife.

  • Bordetella

    • Also known as "kennel cough". We recommend the intranasal vaccine when a patient will be boarding, grooming, or in any situation where they will come into contact with other pets (dog care, obedience, park, etc.).

OTHER PREVENTATIVE CARE

  • Heartworm Prevention

    • Heartworm disease is a serious disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes, which, if left untreated, can be fatal. Although we heartworm disease is not prevalent in our area, it is becoming more so. In fact, we have had about a 500% increase over the last year in a number of cases we have diagnosed. Faithful heartworm prevention not only greatly reduces your pet’s risk of heartworm infection, it also helps to control certain intestinal parasites. We recommend your dog and cat be put on year-round heartworm prevention starting at your pet's first visit. Your pet will need to be tested with a simple blood test for heartworm disease every one to two years.

  • Flea and Tick Control

    • Not only are fleas and ticks a nuisance, they can potentially cause very serious disease in your pet. Ticks pass on rickettsial bacteria such as lyme, anaplasma, ehrlichia, and babesia. Fleas can cause chronic skin and ear disease, severe anemia, and can pass on a tiny parasitic bacteria called Mycoplasma which can cause a life-threatening anemia in cats. We recommend using flea/tick prevention all year round for your pet.

  • Fecal Sample and Deworming

    • We recommend stool sample checks every 6 to 12 months to check for intestinal parasites in your pet. Some common parasites include roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms. There are also single-celled parasites that can never be seen by the naked eye, such as coccidia and giardia, among others. Any one of these parasites can cause serious to life-threatening disease in your pet. Some of these parasites can pose a risk to people, especially small children, the elderly, or anyone with a compromised immune system. For this reason, even if a stool sample shows no parasites, the Centers for Disease Control recommends monthly deworming for your pet, to reduce the incidence and transmission of intestinal parasites.

PUPPY CARE

PuppyCare

As the newest addition to your family, a puppy brings friendship and joy. It’s an exciting occasion and the first step of a new life for you and your canine companion. Take the time now to initiate a relationship with a veterinarian at Towanda Creek Animal Hospital, who will provide the care that your dog needs to grow up healthy and strong.

Please bring your puppy in for a check-up as early as possible. This initial visit will allow your pet to become acquainted with us, and the comprehensive preliminary examination will allow us to detect any potential health issues. At this time we are also happy to address any questions you have concerning care for your pet, such as diet and nutrition, behavioral issues, potty training, or vaccinations.

WHAT TO BRING ON THE FIRST VISIT

  • Your puppy on a leash

  • The health information provided to you by the seller or dog shelter, which should include a history of vaccines and deworming

  • A fresh stool sample (four hours old)

  • ​Any additional questions you wish to discuss

WHAT WILL THE FIRST EXAM INCLUDE?

  • A visual, physical, and dental examination

  • Information regarding preventative medications for fleas, ticks, and heartworms

  • A fecal examination and deworming if necessary

*Humans are susceptible to these parasites! We recommend two (2) intestinal parasite exams and

three (3) dewormings during the first sixteen(16) weeks of your puppy's life.*

SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IF ​YOUR

PUPPY HAS THE FOLLOWING:

  • Any respiratory problem, such as coughing or trouble breathing

  • Any signs of pain

  • Multiple episodes of vomiting or diarrhea

  • Allergic reactions, such as swelling around the face, or hives, most easily seen on the belly

  • Any eye injury, no matter how mild

  • Any suspected poisoning, including ingestion of antifreeze, rodent or snail bite, or human medication

  • Seizure, fainting, or collapse

  • Thermal Stress, either too cold or too hot, even if the dog seems to have recovered

  • Trauma

SENIOR CARE

SeniorCare

Dogs are living longer than ever before, but as they age they require more frequent exams to detect early warning signs of disease. There is a greater risk of illnesses such as kidney, heart, and liver disease, as well as cancers, organ failure, and hormone disorders to name a few. Pet care changes with age in the same way as human health care. Older dogs can face weight, mobility, and arthritis issues too.

To keep your dog as healthy as possible we encourage you to bring in your pet more frequently for preventative care. Two (2) or more visits annually will allow us to devise a customized health plan specifically tailored for your pet through diagnostic screenings and physical exams. Additional visits may be suggested if your dog is on medication, depending on the type that is taken.

If your dog is eight (8+) or more years old, please call us today for a senior pet care exam.

We want to help make sure that your pet lives a healthy, happy life for as long as possible!

A SENIOR PET PREVENTATIVE HEALTH EXAM MAY INCLUDE SOME OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING

  • Comprehensive preventative health care examination

  • Intestinal parasite screening and heartworm testing

  • Comprehensive blood profile panel and urinalysis (to assess internal organs, red and white blood cell counts, blood sugar levels, electrolyte levels and much more).

  • Dental screening

  • Nutrition and dietary advice

  • Abdominal x-rays and/or ECG

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