Pet Wellness and Preventative Care

Medical Care As soon as your puppy comes home, schedule that first check-up. Bring a stool sample to this visit, so the doctor can check for intestinal parasites. It is also a good idea to bring any available vaccination and medical records. Expect a thorough physical exam, and don't forget to bring any questions or concerns you may have. We are your medical partners in the health and well-being of your new pet.

Pet Vaccinations Mother's milk offers pups some protection from disease, but that only lasts a few weeks. As they are weaned from their mother, puppies are given vaccines to protect them from disease. The Puppy Series Vaccines gradually build immunity during the first few months, usually beginning with the first medical exam at around 6-8 weeks.

Puppy Series vaccines may include:

• DHPP Vaccine (Distemper/Hepatitis/Parainfluenza/Parvovirus)—Given at 6 weeks, at least three doses
• Rabies—Given at 16-18 weeks
• Leptospirosis—Given routinely with DHPP vaccine
• Bordetella—Given at 12 weeks
• Influenza Vaccine—Given at 8-12 weeks, and given another booster 3 weeks later

Nutrition Good quality puppy food is important. Never give your puppy table food, as it can cause intestinal problems. Remember to keep fresh, clean water available at all times. Call our office for recommendations on feeding your new puppy, or ask us at your check-up.

Spaying/Neutering Unless you intend to breed your dog, we recommend spaying or neutering your puppy at around six months of age. An altered pet lives longer and generally has fewer medical problems and a better temperament if this is done at an early age.

Puppies need a safe, comfortable environment in which to live, as well as regular exams, vaccinations and parasite prevention, socialization, and behavioral training. At Grady Veterinary Hospital, we help you create such an environment. We enjoy meeting every new puppy and we hope to make your experience a rich and rewarding one.

The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too.” Samuel Butler

Medical Care As soon as your kitten comes home, schedule that first check-up. Bring a stool sample to this visit, so the doctor can check for intestinal parasites. It is also a good idea to bring any available vaccination and medical records. Expect a thorough physical exam, and don't forget to bring any questions or concerns you may have. We are your medical partners in the health and well-being of your new pet.

Vaccinations Mother's milk offers kittens some protection from disease, but that only lasts a few weeks. As they are weaned from their mother, kittens are given vaccines to protect them from disease. The Kitten Series vaccines gradually build immunity during the first few months, usually beginning with the first medical exam at around 6 weeks.

Kitten Series vaccines may include:

• FVRCP (Feline Distemper)—Given at 6 weeks, at least three doses
• Rabies—Given at 14-16 weeks
• FeLv (Feline Leukemia)—Given at 8 and 12 weeks

Nutrition Good quality kitten food is important. Never give your kitten table food, as it can cause intestinal problems. Remember to keep fresh, clean water available at all times. Call our office for recommendations on feeding your new kitten.

Spaying/Neutering We recommend spaying or neutering your kitten at around six months of age. An altered pet lives longer and generally has fewer medical problems and a better temperament if this is done at an early age.

• DAPP vaccine—DAPP stands for Distemper, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus. DHPP vaccine, otherwise known as the puppy vaccine, DHPP stands for Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus.
• Distemper virus—Attacks the lungs and affects the function of the brain and spinal cord; disease can be fatal
• Hepatitis—Affects the liver and can cause loss of vision
• Parainfluenza—Respiratory virus that causes coughing
• Parvovirus—Attacks the lining of the intestinal tract and damages the heart of very young puppies; disease can be fatal
• Adult dogs usually also have a Leptospirosis vaccine included.
• Rabies vaccine—This is a fatal viral disease that can infect all warm-blooded animals, including dogs and humans.
• Leptospirosis vaccine—This is a bacterial infection that can damage your dog's liver, kidneys, and other major organs. Other dogs, and even humans, can become ill after contact with an infected dog's urine.
• Bordetella Bronchiseptica vaccine—This is a bacterial infection contributing to the respiratory disease commonly known as kennel cough. This disease can be much more severe when accompanied by a viral infection. This vaccine is often required for use of boarding kennels, dog parks, obedience school, veterinary hospitals, or grooming facilities.
• Influenza Vaccine—This is a contagious respiratory disease in dogs caused by Influenza viruses known to infect dogs. This vaccine is often required for use of boarding kennels, dog parks, obedience schools, veterinary hospitals, or grooming facilities.

• FVRCP vaccine—Feline Distemper may be particularly severe in kittens and is potentially fatal
• Rabies vaccine—This is a fatal viral disease that can infect all warm-blooded animals, including cats and humans.
• Feline Leukemia—Feline Leukemia is a cause of serious illness and death in cats.

• Osteoarthritis
• Kidney, heart, or liver disease
• Tumors and cancers
• Diabetes
• Thyroid imbalance
• Weight increase or decrease
• Mobility challenges
• Behavioral concerns, such as irritability or aggression
• Dental disease

To guide veterinary hospitals like ours in developing optimal healthcare plans for senior pets, AAHA® issued a set of Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. These guidelines challenge veterinarians to raise the bar when caring for senior pets.

Scheduling regular pet wellness visits is one of the most important steps for an owner of a mature pet. Senior care is needed to catch and delay the onset or progress of disease, and for the early detection of problems such as organ failure and osteoarthritis.

AAHA® recommends that healthy senior dogs and cats visit the veterinarian every six months for a complete exam and laboratory testing. Keep in mind that every year for a dog or cat is equivalent to five-seven human years. To stay current with your senior pet's health care, we strongly advise twice-a-year exams.

Laboratory testing for senior pets will typically include the following:

• Urinalysis
• Complete blood count
• Blood-chemistry panel
• Parasite testing

Your pet might require other tests, especially if your dog or cat is displaying signs of illness or discomfort. Our diagnostic skills and equipment, combined with your careful observations and reporting, result in successful diagnosis and treatment for many age-related concerns.