Dog Care

One of the most important things you can do for your furry friend is to provide regular veterinary care.

Newly adopted puppies should come see us within a week of coming home. We’ll help you get off on the right foot with your new family member.

For a successful visit we recommend:

  • bring your dog leashed
  • bring any records or paperwork provided by the shelter or breeder
  • write down your questions and concerns so we can answer them for you
  • bring a fresh stool sample

Puppy Wellness

At your first puppy visit, we will review important topics:

  • Enrichment for your kitten
  • Vaccination schedule
  • Behavior and socialization
  • Potty training
  • Parasite control
  • Nutrition and supplements
  • Nail trimming
  • Spay and neutering
  • Pet insurance

Your puppy’s visit will also include a weight check, a physical exam of her/his coat, ears, eyes, heart, lungs, teeth, and gums. We strive to make these visits pleasant and playful, encouraging your puppy to have a lifetime of positive encounters and safe handling with the veterinary staff.

Depending on your puppy’s history and age, we will recommend a variation on the schedule below – or start from scratch if needed. These recommendations are general guidelines. We will tailor your dog’s wellness care to their health and lifestyle.

8 Weeks Old

  • Physical Exam
  • Distemper/Parvo (DA2PP) Vaccine #1 of 3
  • Bordetella Vaccine
  • Deworming for Intestinal Parasites
  • Heartworm Prevention
  • Flea and Tick Prevention

12 Weeks Old

  • Physical Exam
  • Distemper/Parvo (DA2PP) Vaccine #2 of 3
  • Leptospirosis Vaccine #1 of 2
  • Deworming for Intestinal Parasites
  • Heartworm Prevention
  • Flea and Tick Prevention

16 Weeks Old

  • Physical Exam
  • Rabies Vaccine
  • Distemper/Parvo (DA2PP) Vaccine #3 of 3
  • Leptospirosis Vaccine #2 of 2
  • Deworming for Intestinal Parasites
  • Heartworm Prevention
  • Flea and Tick Prevention

Adult Dogs

Annual exams are essential, proactive means to your dog’s health and wellbeing. As dogs age, they are more prone to serious illnesses. Regular vet visits can help detect any problems – dogs are notorious for hiding their symptoms. Because they age more quickly than we do, their health can change quickly without outward signs.

Below are recommendations for dogs aged one to seven years old. Your dog is an individual, so we’ll make recommendations based on their specific needs and lifestyle.

Adult Dogs (1-7 years)

  • Annual Physical Exam
  • Adult Labwork (blood and urine)
  • Dental Screening
  • Distemper/Parvo (DA2PP) Vaccine Every 3 Years Once Fully Vaccinated
  • Rabies Vaccine Every 3 Years Once Fully Vaccinated
  • Bordetella Annually
  • Leptospirosis Annually
  • Intestinal Parasites Test (fecal)
  • Heartworm Testing and Prevention
  • Flea and Tick Prevention

Senior Dogs

As dogs age, they become more prone to serious health problems. For example, older dogs are more likely to have high blood pressure, vision or hearing loss, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, joint disease, arthritis and cognitive disorders. More frequent exams and screenings may head off some of these problems, or help you to manage them better. Because of this, we recommend senior dogs have exams, and some testing, twice a year. Our veterinarians will talk to you about what to expect and what to look for in age-related changes in your dog. We’ll also provide suggestions for helping your dog enjoy their golden years.

Some topics our team will discuss with you include:

  • Proper diet and nutrition for senior pets
  • Maintaining mobility and activities
  • Mental health, senility and cognitive decline
  • Environmental changes
  • Reproductive diseases in intact dogs
  • Signs of illness or disease
  • Gauging quality of life

Below are the general recommendations for older dogs, though we’ll tailor a wellness plan specific to your dog’s needs.

Senior Dogs (8+ years)

  • Semi-Annual Physical Exam
  • Adult Labwork (blood and urine)
  • Dental Screening
  • Distemper/Parvo (DA2PP) Vaccine Every 3 Years Once Fully Vaccinated
  • Rabies Vaccine Every 3 Years Once Fully Vaccinated
  • Bordetella Annually
  • Leptospirosis Annually
  • Annual Deworming
  • Intestinal Parasites Screening (fecal)
  • Blood Pressure Screening
  • Heartworm Testing and Prevention
  • Flea and Tick Prevention