The following vaccines & testing should be performed regularly for the health and protection of your dog and family:
- Rabies
- DHPP
- Distemper
- Hepatitis
- Parainfluenza
- Parvovirus
- Bordetella
- Canine Influenza (H3N2 & H3N8)
- CIV
- Fecal Exam
- Heartworm Testing & Preventatives
Rabies (first vaccine valid for 1 year, subsequent vaccines valid for 3 years)
Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus. The virus is found in the saliva of a rabid animal and is transmitted by a bite, or possibly by saliva contamination of an open cut or the eyes. Left untreated, rabies attacks the nervous system and causes death. Total Pet Care requires this vaccination for all of our veterinary patients as well as our boarding and grooming pets.
DHPP – (puppies receive series of 3-4 vaccines followed by annual updates)
DHPP is a combination of four vaccines. It is given to puppies in a series of three or four vaccines and then given every one to three years to adult dogs. DHPP vaccinates against the following diseases:
Distemper: a virus that affects a dog’s respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central nervous systems as well as the conjunctival membranes of the eye. It is a life-threatening disease.
Hepatitis: an acute liver infection in dogs. The virus is spread in the feces, urine, blood, saliva and nasal discharge of infected dogs.
Parainfluenza: This is an upper respiratory infection that is part of the set of diseases associated with Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRD). Like in humans, upper respiratory diseases can be caused by a number of viruses and bacteria but this vaccine helps protect against one of the more common diseases.
Parvovirus: a viral disease that affects dogs. Parvovirus (a.k.a. Parvo) generally affects the intestines causing diarrhea that is often bloody, but it can also affect the heart causing it to fail. Parvo is the most common lethal virus know to affect dogs but is preventable with this vaccine. Total Pet Care requires this vaccination for all of our veterinary patients as well as our boarding and grooming pets.
Bordetella – (updated annually)
Bordetella (a.k.a. Kennel Cough) is one of the three most common causes of canine upper respiratory disease. It is an airborne, highly contagious virus most commonly contracted in places such as dog parks, boarding and grooming facilities. The symptoms include a harsh, dry cough, aggravated by activity or excitement. The cough is followed by retching or gagging in an attempt to clear small amounts of mucous from the throat. Body temperatures may be elevated as secondary bacterial infection takes place.
Total Pet Care requires this vaccination for all of our boarding and grooming pets.
Canine Influenza (Initially a series of two vaccines given 2 weeks apart, then updated annually)
Canine influenza (also known as CIV) is an upper respiratory virus spread between dogs. The two strains of this virus, H3N2 and H3N8, have been found in the Northwestern Ohio area. This virus is airborne and highly contagious and is most commonly contracted in places such as dog parks, boarding, and grooming facilities. Like Bordetella, canine influenza can cause a harsh cough but has the potential for more severe effects and a longer lasting illness compared to Bordetella. Some dogs can develop pneumonia secondary to canine influenza. This vaccine is recommended for all social dogs, especially those that come to board/groom.
Fecal Exam – (performed annually)
Fecal exams should be performed annually to detect gastrointestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, giardia, coccidia and tapeworms, This may be the most important test you can do for your family as many of these parasites are transferable to humans. Total Pet Care is one of the few clinics in Greater Toledo that has invested in the technology that allows us to be 30% more accurate than most other clinics in the detection of these parasites.
Heartworm Testing – (test annually along with monthly preventatives)
Heartworm testing is a required annual test at Total Pet Care to detect heartworm disease, a serious and potentially fatal condition caused by parasitic worms living in the arteries of the lungs and occasionally in the right side of the heart of dogs. Heartworm is spread by mosquitoes. While living in the mosquito, the heartworm becomes a larva which is passed to another animal when bitten. Heartworm prevention is to be given to dogs year-round to prevent this potentially fatal disease. Should your pet miss a month of prevention we will recommend a test 6 months later to detect this potentially lethal infection.