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Canine Wellness Care

Rabies Vaccine: Required by law in Massachusetts.

  • This vaccine is administered at 12 weeks or later and is effective for 1 year.

  • If the rabies vaccine is “boostered” within 9-12 months of the original vaccination, it will be considered effective for 3 years. If the booster is even one day late the vaccine will only be considered effective for 1 year. (This protocol is set forth by the state of Massachusetts.)

  • Once a 3-year vaccine is given then all consecutive vaccines will be considered effective for 3 years.

 

Distemper Parvo (DHPP-PV): Helps to protect against most stomach viruses including Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza and Parvo Virus.

  • This vaccine is administered in a series of 2-4 vaccinations up to 20 weeks

  • After the original puppy series, the next vaccine administered in 1 year will be good for 3 years.

 

Bordatella (Kennel Cough): Helps to protect against Kennel Cough. This is given to dogs that are going to be in highly social dog settings, like doggy daycare, boarding and grooming facilities. 

  • This vaccine is administered by injection or an intranasal “mist”.  The injectable vaccine is given in a two-part series occurring 3-4 weeks apart, and can then be given annually. If administered intranasally only one dose is given and then annually as needed.

  • Note:   Some animal care facilities require the kennel cough booster every 6 months.

Canine Influenza H3N8/H3N2: Helps protect against the “dog flu” which causes respiratory infections.

  • This vaccine is administered in a two-part series occurring 2-4 weeks apart, and then boostered annually.

  • Although we do not routinely administer this vaccine at this time, some grooming, boarding, day-care and related facilities require this vaccine.

 

Lyme Vaccine: Helps to protect against Lyme disease which is transmitted to dogs by infected deer ticks.

  • This vaccine is administered in a two-part series occurring 2-3 weeks apart, and then boostered annually.

 

  • This vaccine is optional and is typically given to dogs that have a high exposure to tick-infested areas.  We recommend that you discuss this vaccine with your veterinarian.

  • The first defense against Lyme disease is a good tick preventative. 

  • Click here for more information on ticks.

 

Leptospirosis: Helps to protect against a bacterial disease that can affect the kidney and liver.

  • This disease is spread by standing water that has been contaminated with the Leptospirosis bacteria, via urine.

  • This vaccine is administered in a two-part series occurring 3-4 weeks apart, and then boostered annually.

  • We recommend that you discuss this vaccine with your veterinarian.   

 

Fecal samples: Rules out intestinal parasites and worms.

  • We typically deworm puppies at each puppy visit, it is common for intestinal parasites to be passed to pups in-utero.

  • An annual fecal is recommended to ensure that no intestinal parasites (some of which live microscopically in the soil) were picked up over the year.

  • Throughout your dog’s life, will suggest a fecal exam if your dog is in intestinal distress.  Many of these parasites can and will cause diarrhea.

  • MOST OF THESE PARASITES DO NOT POSE A THREAT TO PEOPLE.  We encourage you to discuss concerns with your veterinarian.

Heartworm: Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes and, once mature, they live in the heart and large blood vessels of the lungs.

  • We follow the American Heartworm Association's recommendation of heartworm prevention to be given year round to prevent infection.

  • Annual testing is recommended.

  • If you choose to stop over the cold weather months a heartworm test must be run 6 months after the first skipped dose to ensure that the patient did not become infected over the winter.

  • Click here for more information about Heartworm disease.

  • Click here for more information about Heartworm prevention.

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