Preventive Care

It has been said many times, prevention is the best medicine.  At Newaygo Veterinary Services, we are committed to providing annual preventive care, including vaccine boosters, monitoring labwork and monthly preventive medicine.  With every visit, we discuss age-appropriate lifestyle concerns - from puppy and kitten training to senior aging changes and everything in between.  Our focus lies in helping you provide your pet with the longest, healthiest life possible.

​Listed below is a comprehensive breakdown of the annual vaccines and diagnostics we recommend for your canine or feline companion.

​Vaccines

Picture
Canine Vaccines
  • ​Rabies virus is a fatal infection, affecting the central nervous system of all mammals.  It is transmitted through the bite of an infected animal.  Rabies is also transmissible to humans.  By law, all dogs must be current on this vaccine.
    • ​​The vaccine is initially good for 1 year, and when administered on or before the annual due date, it will be effective for 3 years.
  • ​​DHLPP - this is a combination vaccine that protects against several viruses, including canine distemper, adenovirus/canine hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus and parainfluenza.
    • Distemper causes respiratory and central nervous system symptoms and is spread through respiratory secretions.  This virus is often fatal.
    • Adenovirus/canine hepatitis causes severe liver damage.  Additionally, adenovirus may contribute to respiratory disease.
    • Leptospira is a bacteria that can cause severe damage to the liver and kidneys.  It is transmitted through urine, and humans are susceptible through contact with infected animals, so this vaccine can be protective to owners as well. 
    • Canine parvovirus causes gastrointestinal symptoms.  It is passed between dogs via fecal-oral route.  The incubation period is up to 14 days between exposure and presentation of symptoms.  It quickly becomes a serious threat and is fatal without treatment.
    • ​Parainfluenza virus may cause respiratory symptoms and is spread through coughing and sneezing dogs.
    • ​The first vaccine administration by a veterinarian will require a booster within 3-4 weeks for adult dogs and a series of boosters for puppies.
    • ​The vaccine is initially good for 1 year, and when administered by the annual due date, it will be effective for 3 years.
  • ​​Bordetella, commonly referred to as "kennel cough", is a bacteria which causes respiratory symptoms and is spread through coughing and sneezing. 
    • The vaccine can be administered via injection or intranasally, and is good for 1 year.
    • ​If the injectable vaccine is administered, a booster is required within 2-3 weeks and annually thereafter.
  • ​Lyme disease is​ a bacteria, carried by a species of deer tick.  Symptoms can include joint pain, fever and it can cause kidney failure.  Tick prevention, such as Frontline Gold or Bravecto, is just as important as annual vaccination.
    • ​​The first administration by a veterinarian requires a booster within 2-3 weeks and is administered annually thereafter.​
  • ​Canine Influenza Virus, or "dog flu" is a highly contagious respiratory virus, spread through direct contact, such as licking, sniffing or nuzzling; airborne exposure, such as coughing and sneezing; or contaminated surfaces, such as food and water dishes, toys, and human hands or clothing.
    • The first vaccine administration by a veterinarian will require a booster within 2-4 weeks and is administered annually thereafter.
Picture
​Feline Vaccines
  • ​​Rabies virus is a fatal infection of the central nervous system, affecting all mammals.  This virus is transmitted through a bite from an infected animal.  All cats should be vaccinated against this deadly virus.
    • ​​​This is always a 1 year vaccine for cats.
  • ​PCR-P - this is a combination vaccine that protects against feline distemper, calici, rhinotracheitis and pneumonitis viruses.  These viruses cause upper respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms.
    • The first administration by a veterinarian will require a booster within 3-4 weeks for adult cats and a series of boosters for kittens.
    • The vaccine is initially good for 1 year, and when boostered by the annual due date, it will be effective for 3 years.​
  • Feline Leukemia/FeLV - this virus can affect cats of all ages and is transmitted through the sharing of bodily fluids, via breeding, birthing or fighting.
    • ​Symptoms of this virus may include anemia, chronic wasting and malignant tumors.  The onset of symptoms may be delayed by months or years after exposure.
    • ​Cats from multi-cat households or those who go outside are at a higher risk.
    • The first administration by a veterinarian will require a booster within 3-4 weeks for all cats.
    • The vaccine is initially good for 1 year, and when boostered by the annual due date, it will be effective for 2 years.

​Diagnostics

Canine Diagnostics
  • ​Heartworm testing should be performed annually.  Heartworm disease is a condition involving worms which congest the blood vessels in and around the heart.  Dogs are exposed to the larval stage of the heartworm when a mosquito bites your dog.  Heartworm disease can be diagnosed with a simple blood test, but there is a 6-month development period between larval and adult stages, therefore making it unnecessary to test puppies younger than 6 months of age.  Adult dogs should be tested prior to starting prevention and annually thereafter.  Also, any dog not receiving consistent monthly prevention should be heartworm tested every six months.  Heartworm disease can be very costly to treat and can be fatal if left untreated, but the good news is that it can be easily prevented with a year-round, monthly preventative, such as Interceptor Plus.
​Feline Diagnostics
  • ​Feline Leukemia or FeLV is a virus that can be transmitted though exposure to the bodily fluids of cats, via breeding, birthing or fighting.  Symptoms may include anemia, chronic wasting and malignant tumors.  Symptoms may be delayed by months or years after exposure.  There is no cure, but we can prevent it by administering the feline leukemia vaccine.  Testing for this virus should occur approximately 4 weeks or more after a possible exposure and we encourage testing all cats and kittens at 9 weeks of age or older.  Testing is an important factor in limiting the spread of the virus and offering appropriate supportive care as necessary.
  • FIV, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, or Feline AIDS is very similar to FeLV in exposure route and delay of symptoms.  Currently, there is no vaccine available and our only course of treatment may be supportive care.  The biggest factor in preventing this illness is by limiting the spread and exposure, usually by keeping your pet indoors.
  • Felines are also susceptible to heartworm disease.  Exposure to heartworm larvae occurs when a mosquito bites your cat.  Symptoms begin to show as the parasites die and may include vomiting, difficulty breathing or asthma-like symptoms.  Heartworm disease has been linked to sudden death in some cats.  Testing cats for heartworm disease can be difficult and there is no treatment for felines, therefore we recommend a monthly preventive, such as Revolution, to protect your cat from this deadly disease.
  • Intestinal parasite screens should be performed annually for all cats and dogs.  The most common intestinal parasites found in our household pets are roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, or tapeworms.  Roundworms, hookworms and whipworms can be spread via nursing or environmental contamination.  Tapeworms are not directly spread but picked up when a pet eats a carrier host such as a flea, a small animal or a bird.  Coccidia and giardia can also affect our pet's gastrointestinal tract, and are often transmitted through environmental contaminants.
  • Our doctors recommend an annual blood panel for all adult pets.  These panels are designed to check complete blood cell count values, organ function chemistry and electrolytes.  This annual screening can uncover some diseases early on and allow us address them earlier and potentially be more successful in treatments.  We can also perform pre-anesthetic screenings prior to surgical procedures, which gives us the ability to make adjustments in our anesthesia protocol.
  • Additionally, certain medications require annual labwork to ensure we are providing your pet with a proper and safe dose.

​Monthly Prevention

​Fleas, ticks and heartworm disease can affect all pets, even if they are indoor only.  Fleas and ticks can hitch a ride into your home on you or your pet even when you are outside for a quick potty break; and pesky mosquitos can sneak into the house without being noticed.  We recommend protecting your pets with monthly preventives, such as Frontline Gold or Bravecto for fleas and ticks, and Interceptor Plus for heartworm and intestinal parasites.  Revolution is also a great option for our kitties, as it protects them from heartworm disease, fleas and ticks and controls gastro-intestinal parasites.

​​Surgical Recommendations

​We recommend all pets be spayed or neutered around 6 months of age.  For these routine surgical procedures, we do require dogs to be current on their DHLPP and rabies vaccines, and felines to be current on their PCR-P and rabies vaccines.  Dependent upon your pet's age at the time of surgery, we may require a current heartworm test or pre-anesthetic blood panel.  For all surgical procedures, we offer IV fluids and utilize the safest anesthetic protocol available.

Pediatric Care

Whether puppy or kitten, we believe in starting preventive care at 6 to 8 weeks of age.  For our pediatric vaccine protocol, you can plan to have a monthly visit for the first 4 months of your pet's life.  This series allows you pet's body to develop the best immunity against multiple serious diseases.  Listed below, you will find the ideal plan for each pediatric visit.

Puppies

First Visit 6-8 weeks of age:
  • Physical exam with doctor​
  • DHPP (no leptospira) vaccine
  • Intranasal bordetella vaccine
  • Intestinal parasite screen
  • Begin flea/tick and heartworm prevention
​Second Visit 9-11 weeks of age:
  • ​Physical exam with doctor
  • DHPP (no leptospira) vaccine
  • Canine Influenza vaccine
  • Intestinal parasite screen
  • Pick up flea/tick and heartworm prevention
Third Visit 12-15 weeks of age:
  • ​Physical exam with doctor
  • DHLPP (introducing leptospira)​ vaccine
  • Canine Influenza vaccine
  • Lyme vaccine
  • Intestinal parasite screen
  • Pick up flea/tick and heartworm prevention​
​Fourth Visit 16-18 weeks of age:
  • ​Physical exam with doctor
  • DHLPP (with leptospira) vaccine
  • Lyme vaccine
  • Rabies vaccine
  • Pick up flea/tick and heartworm prevention

​Kittens

First Visit 6-8 weeks of age:
  • Physical exam with doctor​
  • PCR-P vaccine
  • FeLV/FIV/Heartworm Test
  • Intestinal parasite screen
  • Begin flea/tick and heartworm prevention
​Second Visit 9-11 weeks of age:
  • ​Physical exam with doctor
  • PCR-P vaccine
  • Intestinal parasite screen
  • Pick up flea/tick and heartworm prevention
Third Visit 12-15 weeks of age:
  • ​Physical exam with doctor
  • PCR-P vaccine
  • Feline Leukemia vaccine
  • Intestinal parasite screen
  • Pick up flea/tick and heartworm prevention
​​​Fourth Visit 16-18 weeks of age:
  • ​Physical exam with doctor
  • PCR-P vaccine
  • Feline Leukemia vaccine
  • Rabies vaccine
  • Pick up flea/tick and heartworm prevention

​Adult Annual Care

For all pets, we recommend an annual physical exam, complete with vaccines, intestinal parasite screening, heartworm testing and monitoring bloodwork.  Our doctor's comprehensive physical examination will address age-appropriate concerns, including dietary needs and also includes a full oral exam.  This oral exam allows us to assess for tartar, any at-risk teeth and any condition that could impact your pet's overall health.  Each pet also receives a dental grade to help project the ideal scheduling for further dental care  We can also suggest techniques to use at home to protect your pet's dental health. 
For your pet's best immunity, we encourage you to schedule your annual appointment at the same time each year.  This routine planning ensures there are no gaps in vaccine coverage, allows us to establish an annual baseline with our bloodwork, and gives us a guideline for physical changes in your pet.

​Canines

​Felines
Annual Vaccines
  • ​Rabies - administered every 1 or 3 years.
  • DHLPP - administered every 1 or 3 years.
  • ​Leptospirosis​
  • Lyme
  • ​Bordetella
  • Canine Influenza
​​Diagnostics
  • ​​Intestinal Parasite Screen
  • Heartworm Testing
  • ​Adult/Senior Annual Health Screen bloodwork
​Annual Vaccines
  • ​Rabies
  • ​PCRP - administered every 1 or 3 year.
  • ​Feline Leukemia - administered every 1 or 2 years.


​​Diagnostics
  • ​Intestinal Parasite Screen
  • ​Adult/Senior Annual Health Screen bloodwork

​Senior Annual Care

For our senior pets, we continue our annual vaccine and bloodwork protocol, but our discussion transitions to more age-related concerns.  In some cases, it may be appropriate to schedule twice-yearly exams for senior pets with advancing conditions.  Arthritis and mobility issues begin to arise in our aging pets and our doctors can make suggestions for supplements and laser treatment to help ease discomfort.  Organ function may begin to change and our doctors can monitor and intervene with dietary or environmental changes or with medication.  As difficult as it may be, our doctors can also help to prepare you for end of life decision-making.  Our staff is here to support you with information and guidance through quality of life discussion.