I just got a new puppy or kitten how often and when do I need shots? Kitten and puppies get a distemper shots starting at 6-8 weeks of age, every 3-4 weeks until they are 3- 4 months old and then at 3- 4 months old they get their last distemper and their rabies vaccine. These vaccines are good for 1 year. Dogs and cats differ from here. Cats will receive a rabies (purevax brand) vaccine yearly. Dogs will receive a rabies vaccine at 1 year then will be vaccinated every 3 years. Dogs will get leptospirosis with their last 2 distemper shots, then they get vaccinated every year for leptospirosis. Dogs should get a lymes disease vaccine, especially if you have ever seen a tick on your pet. Lymes can be given at 3-4 months then again in 3 weeks. After that they will vaccinated every year. Dogs that board with other animals or go to daycare should be vaccinated against bordatella (kennel cough). This should be done at least 2 weeks before boarding. After that you should vaccinate them every 6 months. Cats that go outside should be tested and vaccinated against leukemia. You must have your kitty tested negative for leukemia before vaccinating. If you get a new kitty you should keep your present cat separated until they are both tested negative for leukemia. Leukemia can be tested at 3-4 months and vaccinated at that time. They will have to return for a booster in 3 weeks then vaccinated yearly. Dogs and Cats should both be protected against external parasites such as fleas and ticks. These parasites also carry health hazard such as lymes, tapeworm, rocky mountain spotted fever, ehrlichia and can cause anemia and in extreme cases cause death. Ask about our many products, we carry capstar, frontline, advantage, and advantix. Dogs should be protected against heartworm. Puppies under 6 months can begin heartworm preventative. After 6 months of age a heartworm test is required before starting the preventative. You have 2 options. You can keep your pet on heartworm preventative all year round and have your dog tested every other year to ensure that he is free of heart worms, this is the hospital recommendation. Some clients stop heartworm during the winter months and start again in the spring. If you choose this method, every spring your dog will need a heartworm test before starting the preventative. With our warmer winters it can be a little unclear when to start and stop the preventative. When do I need to bring a fecal sample? A fecal sample is used to test for the presence of gastrointestinal parasites and should be brought to each annual visit. It’s always better to bring it and not need than need it and not have it. Anytime your pet (any species) has an abnormal bowel movement a stool sample is recommended. Should I bring my bird to the vet for a routine exam? Anytime you get a new bird you should have it checked out by a veterinarian. Dr. Baeza is a member of the association of avian veterinarians and sees many species of birds. A new bird should be checked for Chlamydia, an infection that can be transmitted to humans. A beak and feather disease test should also be performed, this is a fatal disease and can be passed on to other birds. Yearly exam is recommended to keep track of weight and health. Even a few grams can make a difference in the health of your bird. Many times birds play with their food and make you believe they have eaten. Feathers, nails and beaks need to be checked regularly for defects and disease. Obviously any time you believe your bird is sick or injured you should seek medical attention immediately. When should I get my cat/dog spayed/ neutered ? There has been much controversy over the age of spaying (female) and neutering (male). Generally, as soon as the vaccination series is completed approximately at 4 months of age it is recommended to spay or neuter. It is always recommended to spay/neuter your pet before sexual maturity as this decreases the incidence of mammary cancer, prostate cancer, testicular cancer and many other diseases. Dr. Baeza has training and experience in pediatric spay and neuter and can be performed as early as 8 weeks of age under special circumstances. Can I order my pet’s meds on the internet? Many reputable places will ask for a prescription for pet medication. Our office will be happy to supply you with one if you believe this is the best option for you and your pets. Pay careful attention to shipping and handling costs, this sometimes can equal or exceed the price of the animal hospital price. More importantly, manufacturer’s warranty on medications are void if they are not purchased through a reputable animal hospital. Please feel free to drop by or call us for more information on this. What kind of animals does Dr. Baeza see? Dr. Baeza sees cats, dogs, birds, reptiles, amphibians, marsupials and mammals. You name it and he has worked on it!!! Dr. Baeza has attended continuing education at the international conference of exotics, has done rotational internships while at cornell university at the Syracuse zoo of NY. Dr. Baeza regularly attends continuing education in veterinary medicine. We recommend that you call ahead for an appointment with your exotic pet. |
