Wellness Exams

We love to see your pets happy and healthy, and to achieve this we place a strong emphasis on annual wellness exams in order to diagnose and treat problems early. This includes a full physical exam, otoscopic and ophthalmic exams, fecal exam for parasites, heartworm testing, and recommended vaccines based on risk of the individual pet.

Vaccinations

Preventative health care begins early on in our pets and extends throughout the their life. A core part of preventative healthcare are vaccinations. We follow the latest guidelines regarding canine and feline vaccinations.

First vaccines should begin around 6-8 weeks of age, which is when we recommend the first pediatric wellness visit. At this appointment we will discuss your pets risk and need of different vaccines based on lifestyle and develop an individualized vaccination program meeting your pet’s needs. Below are listed the core and non-core canine and feline vaccines. Core vaccines are recommended for all pets, while non-core vaccines are those that will be recommended if your pet is considered “at risk” based on lifestyle.

Core Canine Vaccines

1. Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus (DHPP) – This is a combination vaccine that protects against 4 lethal canine viruses that can attack multiple organ systems. The DHPP vaccines is given beginning at 8 weeks of life and boostered every 3-4 weeks until 15-16 weeks of age. After this a booster is given at 1 year and then every 3 years thereafter. There is some new evidence that the duration of immunity may be longer than the recommended 3 years, and therefore we do currently offer vaccine titers in lieu of vaccinations to check on protection status of your pet.
2. Rabies – Rabies is a serious public health threat and therefore many vaccine statues are state mandated by law. Puppies receive their first vaccines at 12-16 weeks of age which is boostered at 1 year of age, and then every 3 years thereafter as long as the pet is kept current. A current Rabies vaccination is required for town registration.

Non-Core Canine Vaccines

1. Bordetella (Kennel Cough) – This vaccine prevents a highly contagious respiratory disease and is currently required for many kennels and grooming facilities. We currently offer an oral vaccine that provides full protection in just 72 hours.
2. Lyme – This is a tick borne disease that in dogs can cause severe musculoskeletal signs as well as neurologic and kidney disease. We do highly recommend the lyme vaccination on an annual basis in addition to effective tick prevention. This vaccine is first given between 9-16 weeks of age, and boostered 3-4 weeks later.
3. Leptospirosis – This vaccine is given to “at risk” dogs beginning at 12-16 weeks of age and boostered 3-4 weeks later. This vaccine is then recommended yearly for the life of at risk pets. Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that is harbored in the urine of wild animals that can cause serious and often fatal kidney and liver disease in our pets
4. Canine Influenza Vaccine (CIV) – Canine Inluenza is another hightly contagious respiratory disease that is known to cause outbreaks of disease in kennel and day care facilities. Many up-scale facilities now recommend if not require this vaccination prior to your pets admittance. The vaccine is a set of 2 vaccines 2-3 weeks apart and then yearly as needed based on risk of the individual animal.

Feline Core Vaccines

1. Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia (FVRCP)– this is a combination vaccine that protects against three separate viral diseases of cats and is currently recommened for both indoor and outdoor cats. It is known more often as the feline distemper vaccine. We recommend vaccination beginning at 8 weeks of age and a booster every 3-4 weeks until 15-16 weeks of age. This is then boostered at 1 year of age and continued every 3 years thereafter.
2. Rabies – see above under Canine Rabies Vaccine for details. Hebron Veterinary Hospital now offers Feline Purevax Rabies vaccine, a new vaccine using state-of-the-art technology specifically design for cats. This vaccine delivers effective immunity without any added unnecessary proteins or adjuvants. Adjuvants are additives that increase the immune response that may increase potential risks to feline patients. Please come in or call for more information!

Feline Non-Core Vaccination

1. Feline Leukemia (FeLV) – The feline Leukemia vaccine is recommened to all kittens regardless of indoor/outdoor status as a series of 2 vaccines 3-4 weeks apart beginning at 9 weeks of age. For at risk cats this vaccine is then continued on a yearly basis. Feline Leukemia is one of the most significant causes of illness and death among cats and is especially dangerous to young cats. It can lead to lymphoma in up to 25% of infected cats as well as contributing to other infectious diseases by suppressing the immune system.

Contact us today to schedule a wellness exam for your pet! The Doctors at Hebron Veterinary Hospital will take the time with you to discuss the above vaccinations along with your pets lifestyle and base a tailored preventative care plan to your individual pet. We understand that each pet, based on health issues and age, require a unique look at vaccination and prevention.