Canine Recommendations

So…you’re vaccinating my puppy/dog for what exactly?

DA2PP

• Distempter Virus: causes many of signs which may progress to fatal seizures. Treatment is generally not successful.
• Adenovirus: causes an acute liver infection which may result in fever, depression, anorexia, cough, tender abdomen and signs of liver disease, such as bleeding disorders, jaundice, hepatic encephalopathy and vomiting.
• Parvovirus: the virus attacks rapidly dividing cells, including those in the intestines and bone marrow. Severe vomiting and diarrhea result, which can lead to severe dehydration. With bacterial migration across unhealthy intestines into the bloodstream, sepsis and death can result.
• Parainfluenza Virus: a highly contagious respiratory virus that results in cough.

Lepto: Short for Leptosporosis

• This is a bacteria that causes kidney failure and liver disease
• It is zoonotic and can be passed to people.

Bordetella:

• More commonly known as “kennel cough,”
• This is a highly contagious upper respiratory bacteria that causes a honking cough
• It can lead to pneumonia.

Rabies Virus: 

• The virus causes progressive neurological damage which ends death. There is no cure for rabies, and it is transmissible to people.
• In Jefferson City, MO yearly rabies vaccination is required by law.

Puppy Wellness and Vaccine Series:

• 6-8 week visit:
  • Wellness Exam
  • DA2PP vaccine #1
  • Fecal, De-worming #1
  • start on heartworm prevention
• 10-12 week visit:
  • Wellness Exam
  • DA2PP vaccine #2
  • Lepto vaccine #1
  • De-worming #2
  • +/- Fecal
  • +/- Bordetella
• 15-16 week visit:
  • Wellness Exam
  • Rabies vaccine
  • DA2PP vaccine #3
  • Lepto vaccine #2
  • +/- Bordetella
• * We recommend spaying or neutering most puppies at 5-6 months of age, and which time we can also place a microchip (a small metal pellet placed under the skin, used as permanent identification).

Dog Yearly Wellness Exam and Vaccines

We understand that each dog has individual needs, and we do our best to accommodate them.

Our general recommendations for those dogs well-vaccinated in their younger years are as follows:

For our young to middle-aged dogs:

• Wellness Exam
• DA2PP/Lepto booster
• Rabies booster
• Fecal exam
• Heartworm test
• +/- Bordetella booster

For our senior and geriatric dogs:

• Wellness Exam
• Chemistry Panel
  • Screens for elevations in liver and kidney values, electrolyte imbalances, and indications of GI disease
• Complete Blood Count
  • Screens for changes in white and red blood cell counts which may indicate infection or other disease processes
• Fecal
• Heartworm test
• Rabies booster
• +/- Bordetella booster

*We recommend year-round heartworm prevention for all dogs. There are several options available, and we would be happy to help you choose the best option for your dogs needs.

For more information on heartworm disease, please visit the American Heartworm Society.