LIFESTAGE PLANS

 

Lifetime Health Plan for Dogs

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

American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) pet care information for dogs

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Lifetime Health Plan for Cats

Caring for your beloved feline is a life-long commitment. Felines age 4-5 times faster than people and as they age their health care needs accelerate. It is important not only to give vaccines and yearly examinations, but also to give ancillary care that is appropriate for their age. We strongly recommend preventative medicine to avoid having small problems become big ones, and to allow the earliest possible prevention of disease. Below you will find our recommendations for the life-long care of your precious companion:

Kittens:

• Feed a premium kitten diet
• Comprehensive physical exam at weaning
• FVRCP vaccine at 8 and 12 weeks
• FeLV vaccine at 12 and 16 weeks (if exposure possible)
• FeLV test at weaning
• Rabies vaccine at 12 weeks
• Deworming at 8, 10 and 12 weeks
• Spay or neuter at 6 months

Years 1-11:

• Feed a premium adult diet
• Comprehensive physical exam yearly
• FVRCP vaccine at year 1, then annually (if outdoor exposure)
• FeLV vaccine yearly (if exposure possible)
• Rabies vaccine at 1 year and then every 3 years
• FIV/FeLV test yearly (if patient has exposure to outside cats, discuss with veterinarian)
• Annual worming
• Young Feline Bloodwork, age 1 to 2
• Health Check Bloodwork, age 3 to 5
• Urinalysis
• Baseline EKG
• Baseline glaucoma test if breed is predisposed
• Dental cleaning every 2 to 3 years, depending upon diet, home care, etc. (All cats should receive daily teeth brushing)

Years 12-22:

• Feed a premium dry senior diet
• Comprehensive physical exam every 6 months
• FVRCP vaccine annually (if outdoor exposure)
• FeLV vaccine yearly (if exposure possible)
• Rabies vaccine every 3 years
• FIV/FeLV test yearly (if patient has exposure to outside cats, discuss with veterinarian)
• Annual worming
• Annual senior blood panel, urinalysis, thyroid test, blood pressure, EKG and ocular testing
• Dental cleaning every 1 to 2 years depending upon diet, home care, etc. (All cats should receive daily teeth brushing)

American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) pet care information for cats

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