Pets age 7 to 9 times faster than a person, so annual exams and bloodwork are imperative so that diseases can be discovered within a time frame where they can be prevented or treated.
What to Expect:
A team member will formulate what a wellness plan structured for your pet based on your lifestyle. The recommendations given will be based around:
Vaccines (such as rabies, distemper, parvo virus, respiratory diseases, and leptospirosis)
Flea and heartworm preventatives
Diagnostic test recommendations will be given
Fecal floatation (tests for whipworms, hookworms, roundworms, and coccidia)
Bloodwork (tests for anemia, kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, endocrine disease, infection, some cancers, and some immune-mediated disease)
Blood parasite tests (tests for heartworms and tick-bourne disease)
Your technician will take your pet to the treatment area to check weight, temperature, and collect other needed samples
A technician will return with the doctor to conduct a full physical
Your veterinarian will address any health concerns you have about you pet
Additional recommendations will be made (if needed)
Your pet will receive the needed vaccines (with your consent of course!)
Please feel free to ask a team member to give you a treatment plan including cost
In-house test results we be reported and discussed within the appointment time
AVC Vaccine Protocols Over the 25 years our veterinarians have been in practice, they have developed an opinion to which vaccines are the most effective, safest, and highest quality. Therefore, we use 3-year vaccines when available because we believe that reducing repetitive vaccination helps safeguard against immune-mediated disease. This is the standard that we base our vaccine protocols on.
Core Canine Vaccination Protocol:
DHPPCV - this vaccine lasts 3 years and prevents distemper, parvo virus, hepatitis, respiratory viruses, and coronavirus
RV - this vaccine lasts 3 years and prevents rabies
Fecal Exam - tests for whipworms, hookworms, roundworms, and coccidia
*Tapeworms cannot always be seen on fecal floatations. They are best diagnosed visually in the stool*
Heartworm Test - tests for heartworms, Lyme's Disease, anaplasma, and ehrlichia
Optional Canine Vaccinations:
Leptospirosis - this vaccine lasts 1 year and is recommended if you take your pets on hikes, if your pet is exposed to wildlife, or if your pet drinks from woodland streams
*Lepto causes multi-organ failure and is contagious to humans*
Influenza - this vaccine lasts 1 year decreases clinical signs of respiratory disease and is recommended if your pet travels or boards frequently
Bordatella - this vaccine lasts 1 year and prevents some of the pathogens that cause kennel cough
*This vaccine is recommended for dogs that board, attend daycare, or see a groomer*
Core Feline Vaccination Protocol:
FVRCP - this vaccine lasts 3 years and prevents respiratory viruses and diarrhea viruses
RV - this vaccine lasts 3 years and prevents rabies
Optional Feline Vaccinations:
FELV - this vaccine last 1 year and prevents feline leukemia
*We recommend that all outdoor cats receive this vaccine*
Bordatella - this vaccine lasts 1 year and prevents respiratory disease in cats that board frequently or see a groomer
* We use Purevax vaccines for cats because they are safer and decrease the incidence of injection site inflammation and sarcomas*
Puppy and Kitten Wellness For puppies and kittens, we recommend vaccine boosters and physical exams every 4 weeks between the ages of 6 - 20 weeks. It is essential that puppies and kittens are examined each visit to ensure that they are properly gaining weight, to diagnose any congenital problems as they grow, and to address behavioral concerns.
Core Puppy Vaccines:
DHPPCV - this vaccine will be given about every 4 weeks with the last booster given between 17 to 20 weeks of age. It prevents distemper, parvo virus, hepatitis, respiratory viruses, and coronavirus
RV - this vaccine lasts 1 year and prevents rabies, given starting at 12 weeks of age
Bordatella - this vaccine lasts 1 year and prevents respiratory disease in dogs that board frequently or see a groomer. This vaccine will be given at 6 weeks of age or older
Fecal/Giardia - this tests for roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, coccidia, and giardia
*Several of these parasites are contagious to adults and children*
Heartworm & Flea Prevention - a single dose of each will be dispensed at each visit and at your last visit, you will be given a 6-month supply
Core Kitten Vaccines:
FVRCP - this vaccine series will be given about every 4 weeks, with the last booster given between 17 to 20 weeks of age
RV - this vaccine lasts 1 year and prevents rabies, given starting at 12 weeks of age
FELV - this consists of one vaccine and one booster that are given starting at 12 weeks of age
*We recommend that all kittens receive an FELV series regardless if they are indoor or outdoor. FELV is deadly to cats less than a year of age if they get exposed*
Fecal/Giardia Test- this tests for roundworms, hookworms, coccidia, and giardia
*Several of these parasites are contagious to adults and children*
Combo Test - this tests for feline leukemia, feline aids, and feline heartworms
*We recommend this test for kittens before introducing them into your household*
Heartworm & Flea Prevention - a single dose of each will be dispensed at each visit and at your last visit, you will be given a 6-month supply
*At AVC, we highly recommend spaying/neutering all pets. During your puppy and kitten series, we will give you information regarding these procedures. We will also counsel on dental care and socialization for your new furry family member.*
*We also highly recommend obtaining the pet insurance of your choice. Starting your pet on pet insurance as early as possible is extremely important and very economical. In the first few years of life, we see pets develop allergies, hip problems, and other concerns. So, having an insurance plan in place ahead of time helps to make taking the very best care of your pet affordable.*