General

• Annual Exam
  • Twice annual for seniors over age 7 yrs
• Spay / Neuter for all non-breeding dogs
• Annual counseling for planned breeding
• Annual diet review, obesity counseling as needed
• Microchipping & Obedience training for all

Vaccinations

• Rabies – as required by law:
  • initial / annual, then every 3 years
• DHPP (Distemper / Hepatitis / Parainfluenza / Parvovirus)
  • full puppy series (every 3 weeks starting at 6 weeks of age until 16 weeks of age)
  • a one-year vaccination at the first annual exam
  • an annual or 3-year vaccine thereafter, depending on risk
• Bordatella – recommended for all but the most reclusive of dogs; dogs that have any exposure to other dogs – either boarding, grooming, dog parks or neighborhood walks – should be vaccinated (dogs boarding at RRAH require every 6 mo)
• Lyme – recommended for dogs with exposure risk to ticks.  Although Lyme-carrying ticks are not endemic to NC at this time (to our knowledge (link)), these ticks have been moving southward from Lyme, CT, over the past decade and currently infect dogs routinely as far south as VA.  Spread to NC is most likely inevitable, and likely we will be recommending routine vaccination for all patients with in a few years.  Definitely recommended for dogs that travel north.
• Lepto (Leptospirosis) - recommended for all dogs that have exposure risk to known carriers, including raccoons and possums.  This includes access to standing water where wildlife may frequent, whether in your yard, on a large piece of property, or in puddles seen even in the road on daily walks.  Since this vaccine can cause reactions, pre-treatment is recommended for some small breeds.
• Dental Vaccine - although a relatively new vaccine, its annual usage has decreased tartar buildup on teeth and decreased the need for dental cleaning under general anesthesia.  Highly recommended for small breeds with crowded teeth or any other dogs with bite or dental abnormalities, but recommended for all dogs generally unless the owner is brushing teeth more than 3 times weekly.
• Not recommended vaccines include: Giardia.

Parasites

• Annual Fecal Exam
• Annual deworming
• Annual heartworm check (HW/Lyme/Ehrlichia/Anaplasma most recommended)
• Year round heartworm prevention
• Year round flea & tick prevention

Bloodwork

• Annual bloodwork screening
  • basic for puppies and adults
• Semi annual senior panels for dogs over 7 years and giant breeds over 5 years of age

Dental

• Brush teeth
• Dental health treats
• Annual dental vaccine