ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAM
First and foremost an annual physical exam by your veterinarian is the most important preventive measure for your trusted companion. Although it is important to get you pet it's "shots", it is equally, or more important to have your pet examined by your veterinarian every year, and prior to receiving it's shots. A thorough physical exam will alert you to conditions before they become problems, and assure you that your pet is healthy enough to respond properly to the vaccinations.
IMMUNIZATIONS: (Start at six weeks of age for dogs, cats, ferrets, pigs)

*We do not vaccinate pregnant animals.

RABIES:

• dogs, cats, ferrets.   Required by law at three months of age.
• Annual Boosters are required, then every three years for dogs or cats.
• Annual boosters are required for ferrets
  

 DOGS

DHLP-PARVO

This vaccine is required for all hospitalized, boarded, or groomed dogs.

• Begin injections on Puppies between the ages of 6 and 18 weeks.  They need a series of DHLP-P
• boosters every 3 weeks until the series is complete (3-5 injections)
• Start vaccinations as soon as weaned (six weeks of age).
• Annual Boosters are required after the initial series.
  

Vaccines include: Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus. 

 CANINE DISTEMPER:

• Viral disease, highly contagious.
• Signs -- nasal or eye discharge, cough, no appetite.
• Takes 4-6 weeks to run its course.
• May develop nervous system signs (convulsions, twitches).
• Treatment is not successful in late stages.
• Wait thirty days before getting another dog if you have had one with distemper diagnosed.
• Disinfect with Clorox (4 oz./gallon water). 
  

 PARVO VIRUS:

• Viral disease, highly contagious.
• Spread through feces of infected dog.
• Signs -- vomiting, diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, dehydration.
• Prognosis depends somewhat on age of pup -- the younger it is, the more severe the disease.
• IV fluids and antibiotics often required for several days to recover.
• Give all other dogs boosters if it has been over six months since their vaccination or if they are less than 6 months of age.
• Disinfect with Clorox (4 oz./gallon water). 
  

 BORDETELLA

• Vaccination to help prevent "kennel cough", a respiratory infection
• Kennel cough is extremely contagious. Dogs suspected of carrying kennel cough should be isolated.
• Infected dogs sound like they have a bone in their throat.
• The vaccine is most effective when given more than 48 hours before boarding or training your dog.
• Annual boosters are necessary. 
  

 LYME'S DISEASE

• Vaccinations are available and recommended for dogs that travel to the northeast orWisconsin/Minnesota.
• The disease is sporadically present in Ohio.
• Carried by deer ticks
  

CATS

TRANSPORTING YOUR CAT TO THE VET

• A plastic or cardboard cat carrier or crate is a good investment for trips outside the home.
• It provides cats with a safe private place. Many cats dislike riding in a car. The carrier also protects you during the ride.

Start vaccinations at 6-8 weeks of age. Vaccinate for Feline Parvo (Distemper, panleukopenia), Rhinotracheitis, Calici Virus, and Pneumonitis(FVRCP-C). Feline Leukemia vaccine is also highly recommended for ALL cats, esp. outside cats.
Indoor cats can be exposed to viral diseases carried in the air, in dust, or on clothing.   
 

FELINE VACCINATIONS

FVRCP-C

• Series of 2-3 injections and then annual boosters.
• 4 in 1 vaccine against Feline Panleukopenia and upper respiratory viruses - rhinotracheticalicivirus, and chlamydia. 
  

FELINE PANLEUKOPENIA

• is also known as cat distemper 
• It is a highly contagious and often fatal disease in young cats. 
• It is easily transmitted from cat to cat. 
• Signs include depression, loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. 
  

 FELINE RESPIRATORY DISEASES

• May have virus in body for several years before sick.
• Often flares up when stressed by other diseases several different infectious agents. 
• They are all highly contagious and are widespread. 
• Upper respiratory infections are easily spread from cat to cat by sneezing, etc. 
• Even a stray cat that seems to be outwardly healthy, may be a carrier of the disease and can infect your pet.
  

Signs of these diseases include: sneezing, fever, nasal discharges, runny nose, coughing, conjunctivitis, eyelid infections), mouth ulcers, and general
Adult cats should receive a yearly FVRCPC vaccination.  
 

FELINE LEUKEMIA (FELV)

• is considered to be the LEADING cause of death in cats. 
• It is a cancer-causing virus that often suppresses the ability to fight other infections. 
• Kittens can be born with the virus. 
• Cats can have the leukemia virus for years before showing signs of the disease. 
• Feline leukemia is HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS from cat to cat and is spread by licking, sneezing fighting, sharing food bowls, or sharing litter pans. 
• THERE IS NO SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT ONCE SIGNS DEVELOP. Due to the seriousness of this disease, we HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT ALL CATS be tested and, if negative, vaccinated.
• Cats and kittens over 9 weeks of age receive an initial series of 2 vaccines 3-4 weeks apart.  After this, a booster is given yearly.
  

 FELINE INFECTIOUS PERITONITIS (FIP)

• Is a contagious and fatal virus shed in the saliva, urine and feces of infected cats. 
• It is the number 2 infectious killer of cats in the U.S. 
• Signs may include loss of weight, labored breathing, enlarged abdomen, and generalized illness. 
• Cats at risk are outdoor cats and those that live in multiple cat households. 
• THERE IS NO SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT ONCE SIGNS APPEAR.
• Cats and kittens over 16 weeks need an initial series of 2 vaccines 3-4 weeks apart, then an annual booster.
  

 FELINE IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (FIV)

• has been labeled as the cat "AIDS virus" because of its similarities to human AIDS virus.
• In cats the virus is spread through bite wounds or urine. 
• It is not transmissible to humans. 
• Like AIDS, it depresses a cats immune system making it susceptible to many secondary
• infections. 
• Unfortunately their is no vaccine for this disease
• there is a reliable blood test that can be done alone or in conjunction with the feline leukemia test.
  

FERRETS:

highly susceptible to canine distemper!
Vaccinate for Rabies and Canine Distemper annually.
Heartworm preventive, fecals and annual exams are indicated.
Susceptible to hair balls and ear mites

PIGS:

• pot bellied pigs receive vaccinations for porcine pneumonia (respisure) and leptospirosis, erysipalis,
• and parvo (farrowsure).
• It is very important to get these basic vaccinations and wormings.
• Pigs are highly susceptible to lice, mites and parasites.
• Breeding pigs should be vaccinated for these and other diseases every 6 months.