Preventative Care Guidelines

Puppies need regular check ups to:

• Monitor normal growth and development
• Evaluate for parasites and start a healthy parasite control program that protects both the dog and the family
• Address early behavior and training issues
• Implement a vaccine series to protect from preventable infectious diseases

Puppies should have the following vaccines:

• DA2PP (Distemper/ Adenovirus type 2/ Para influenza/ Parvo) vaccine:
• Core vaccine (all dogs need this)
• Every 3-4 weeks between 6 weeks and 16 weeks
• Rabies vaccine:
  • Core vaccine (all dogs need this)
  • Between 12-16 weeks of age.
  • Must be boosted no more than 1 year after the initial vaccine, then vaccine is administered every three years.
• Kennel cough (Bordetella)
  • For dogs who go to boarding/grooming facilities, doggie day care, dog parks, or who may be admitted to a hospital (i.e. for spaying/neutering)
  • Starting as early as 3 weeks of age
  • Boost every 6 months if indicated by risk of exposure.
• Leptospira vaccine
  • For dogs who go to places where small mammal wildlife has access, such as dog parks, neighborhood fields, bayous, ponds, the country, or who have open land bordering their yards.
• The risk of vaccine reaction is higher with this vaccine, so we do not administer it at the same time as the rabies vaccine.
• Initial vaccine must be boosted in 3-4 weeks, then yearly if risk continues.

American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Vaccine Guidelines available at www.aaha.org

Puppies should be checked for intestinal parasites:

• 2-4 times a year

Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) Guidelines and info available at www.petsandparasites.com

Feed a quality diet that is appropriate for the size and lifestyle:

(I.e. large breed puppy food, small bites, etc.)

Socialize early (preferably before 4 months of age) to:

• New people
• Other animals
• Children
• Handling of the mouth, ears, and feet

Housebreaking

• Develop a routine
• Provide ample opportunity to eliminate in the correct place
• Crate train to encourage use of bowel and bladder control, to provide a personal den for the puppy, and to prevent accidents and injuries when not supervised.

Spaying or Neutering is recommended around 4-6 months of age:

• Retained puppy teeth can be diagnosed by 6 months of age, and should be removed while under anesthesia for spaying or neutering.

Adult dogs need regular (semiannual) check ups to:

• Obtain a thorough physical exam to identify problems early, particularly paying attention to common problems such as inappropriate weight gain, periodontal disease, and other medical conditions
• Evaluate for parasites and implement a healthy parasite control program that protects both the dog and the family
• Implement a vaccine series to protect from preventable infectious diseases
• Discuss any behavior or other health concerns

Vaccines

• DA2PP (Distemper/ Adenovirus type 2/ Para influenza/ Parvo) vaccine:
• Core vaccine (all dogs need this)
• Every 3 years after the initial booster series
• Rabies vaccine:
  • Core vaccine (all dogs need this)
  • Every three years AFTER completing a booster no more than 1 year after the initial vaccine
  • ***NOTE: Some local jurisdictions still require annual boosters, which legally takes precedent over Texas law that allows 3 year rabies vaccine intervals if using a vaccine labeled for 3 years.
• Kennel cough (Bordetella)
  • For dogs who go to boarding/grooming facilities, doggie day care, dog parks, or who may be admitted to a hospital (i.e. for spaying/neutering)
  • Boost every 6 months if indicated by risk of exposure.
• Leptospira vaccine
  • For dogs who go to places where small mammal wildlife has access, such as dog parks, neighborhood fields, bayous, ponds, the country, or who have open land bordering their yards.
• The risk of vaccine reaction is higher with this vaccine, so we may not administer it at the same time as the rabies vaccine.
• Initial vaccine must be boosted in 3-4 weeks, then yearly if risk continues.

American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Vaccine Guidelines available at www.aaha.org

Parasite Control

Monthly heartworm preventive

• Needed for all dogs, once a month, year round
• Sentinel
• Controls heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, and fleas
• Recommended for most dogs
• IverHeart Max
• Controls heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms
• Recommended for dogs with a lapse in monthly prevention
• Other choices exist and can be discussed as needed

Heartworm Test

• Once a year if taking monthly heartworm preventive

American Heartworm Society Guidelines and info available at www.heartwormsociety.org

Fecal Examination by Centrifugation

• 2 times a year for routine screening
• Commonly found parasites:
• Hookworms
  • Contagious to people
• Roundworms
  • Contagious to people
• Whipworms
• Giardia
  • Contagious to people (not proven if direct transmission from dogs, but possible)
• Coccidia
• Tapeworms

Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) Guidelines and info available at www.petsandparasites.com

Nutrition

Feed a quality diet that is appropriate for the size and lifestyle

(I.e. large breed food, small bites, etc.)

• Make sure the food has an AAFCO (American Association of Feed Control Officials) stating that the food meets the requirements based on feeding trials.
• Choose food companies that keep a board certified veterinary nutrition specialist on staff.
• Monitor body weight and body condition scores and adjust calorie intake as needed.
• Remember to count calories from treats when adjusting intake
• Body Condition Scoring, 1-5:
  • 1 = emaciated 4 = over ideal weight (losing waist definition,
  • 2 = too thin excess padding over ribs, hips, &/or tail base
  • 3 = ideal 5 = obese (no waist definition, ribs hard to feel)

Dental Hygiene

Regular dental hygiene can prevent, or slow the progression of periodontal disease, which is one of the most common medical conditions of adult dogs.

Various hygiene options exist and can include:

• CET chews daily
• Don’t add significant calories
• Tooth cleaning enzyme
• Antibacterial
• Dental diets
• Science Diet Oral Care
• Hill’s T/D diet
• Various others, both prescription and over the counter
• Toothbrushing
• Fluoride free, flavored
• Dental treats
• Greenies, others

Regular dental hygiene can prevent, or slow the progression of periodontal disease, which is one of the most common medical conditions of adult dogs.

Various hygiene options exist and can include:

• CET chews daily
• Don’t add significant calories
• Tooth cleaning enzyme
• Antibacterial
• Dental diets
• Science Diet Oral Care
• Hill’s T/D diet
• Various others, both prescription and over the counter
• Toothbrushing
• Fluoride free, flavored
• Dental treats
• Greenies, others

Vaccines:

• DA2PP (Distemper/ Adenovirus type 2/ Parasite Control Monthly heartworm preventive

Needed for all dogs, once a month, year round

• Sentinel
  • Controls heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, and fleas
  • Recommended for most dogs
• IverHeart Max
  • Controls heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms
  • Recommended for dogs with a lapse in monthly prevention
• Other choices exist and can be discussed as needed

Once a year if taking monthly heartworm preventive

• 2 times a year for routine screening
• Commonly found parasites:
  • Hookworms – contagious to people
  • Roundworms – contagious to people
  • Whipworms
  • Giardia – contagious to people (not proven if direct transmission from dogs, but possible)
  • Coccidia
  • Tapeworms
• Fecal Examination by Centrifugation
• Heart Worm Test

American Heartworm Society Guidelines and info available at www.heartwormsociety.org

Diet

• Feed a quality diet that is appropriate for age and lifestyle.
• Start watching for excessive weight gain in the older kitten and adjust calories accordingly
• Consider feeding a variety of quality canned and dry foods
• Consider placing food in a variety of places around the house to encourage smaller, frequent meals.

Socialization and Enrichment

Socialize early (preferably before 4 months of age) to:

• New people
• Other animals
• Children
• Handling of the mouth, ears, and feet
• Nail trims

Indoor Lifestyle and Environmental Enrichment

• Keeping cats inside protects them from a variety of injuries and infectious disease
• Enriching the environment or allowing cats to be in a strictly supervised outdoor environment or enclosure is key to preventing boredom, stress, and inactivity and the associated behavior problems and weight management problems.
• Provide companionship with regular human interaction
• Provide an outlet for normal behaviors:
  • Variety of interactive toys and hunting games
  • Scratching posts, both vertical and horizontal, in desirable locations
  • Cat trees, perches, or shelves to allow for climbing and to increase overall space in the home
  • Food Treasure Hunt
  • Litter boxes
    • Place in a quiet, accessible, private place
    • Clean frequently
    • One box per cat plus one

Visit the web site for the Indoor Cat Initiative at www.vet.ohio-state.edu/indoorcat for more information.

Everyone ages on a spectrum, and individuals age at different rates. One convenient way to classify cats based on age is as follows:

• Kitten: up to 6 months
• Junior: 7 months – 2 years
• Adult: 3 – 6 years
• Mature or middle aged: 7-10 years
• Senior: 11-14 years
• Geriatric: 15+ years

Exams

Adult cats need regular check ups (every 6 to 12 months) to:

• Monitor for appropriate body weight and body condition score
• Monitor for early detection of disease such as obesity, periodontal disease, and others
• Evaluate for parasites and maintain a healthy parasite control program that protects both the cat and the family.
• Address behavior issues
• Implement a vaccine series to protect from preventable infectious diseases

Getting your cat to the vet

• Socialize cats as early as possible to the carrier and to traveling:
• Keep the transport carrier out and accessible in the home
• Make the carrier a comfortable resting, feeding, or play location

Minimize the stress of the office visit:

• Withholding food prior to car travel may reduce motion sickness, increase interest in treats at the hospital, and can be beneficial if blood is to be collected for testing.
• Use of Feliway (a calming synthetic pheromone) and/or familiar clothing from a favorite person prior to transporting may reduce the cat?s anxiety.
• Provide cover/hiding options in or over the carrier, such as a towel draped over the carrier.

Environmental Enrichment and Quality of Life

Keeping cats inside protects them from a variety of injuries and infectious disease and makes it easier to monitor for subtle changes. Enriching the environment or allowing cats to be in a strictly supervised outdoor environment or enclosure is key to providing quality of life.

Provide for the basic needs:

• Personal space, such as hiding spots and elevated resting spots (perches)
• Horizontal and vertical scratching surfaces
• Clean litter boxes (# cats in house + 1)
• Clumping litter, uncovered boxes, on average, are preferred, but individual preferences exist
• Variety of toys, possibly in a rotation
• Companionship with regular human interaction

Vaccines

Adult cats should have the following vaccines:

• FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia) vaccine:
  • Core vaccine (all cats need this)
  • Recommended only every 3 years after the initial vaccine series is complete
• Rabies vaccine:
  • Core vaccine (all cats need this)
  • Boost yearly
  • Note***: We use a non-adjuvanted rabies vaccine for cats. (See note below regarding adjuvant). This vaccine is labeled for yearly boosters. If the manufacturer gains USDA approval for longer booster intervals, then we will legally be able to reduce the frequency of this vaccine.
• FeLV (Feline Leukemia) Vaccine:
  • Non-core vaccine: recommended only for at risk cats
  • Boost yearly if indicated by risk of exposure

*** Adjuvant is a chemical that is added to vaccines to encourage a stronger response from the patient’s immune system. However, it also appears to increase the risk of vaccine-related skin tumors. We use only cat vaccines without adjuvant, and vaccinate only as much as is medically indicated, in order to reduce the risk of vaccine-associated sarcomas in our feline patients. ***

Parasite Control

In the Gulf Coast region, which is endemic for heartworms, all cats need a monthly heartworm preventive.

Cats should be checked for intestinal parasites

• 1-2 times a year
• If parasites are found, a follow up test should be performed to verify successful treatment

See the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) Guidelines and info available at www.petsandparasites.com

Feline Leukemia Virus and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Testing

Testing for FeLV (feline leukemia virus) and FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) is indicated:

• Yearly if there is potential for exposure (especially unsupervised outdoor activity)
• Prior to vaccinating for FeLV virus
• For all sick cats
• Prior to entering a new household, regardless of age
• 28 days or more after potential exposure to FeLV, and 60 days or more after potential exposure to FIV

Early Disease Detection Testing

Regular early detection testing can :

• Allow early detection of disease or trends in clinical or laboratory values that may be of concern.
• Provide a baseline for interpretation of data in later visits.
• A goal of 3 early detection screens before age 7 is a good rule of thumb

Testing should include:

• Complete blood count
• Serum chemistry panel
• Urinalysis
• Additional tests may be indicated if evidence of a problem is found.

Nutrition and Weight Management

• Feed a quality diet that is appropriate for the age and lifestyle
• Make sure the food has an AAFCO (American Association of Feed Control Officials) statement that the food meets the requirements based on feeding trials.
• Choose food companies that keep a board certified veterinary nutrition specialist on staff.

Frequency and Calories

• Recommended amounts are only a starting point and should be adjusted based on body condition score, lifestyle, and neuter status
• Feeding small measured meals frequently makes calorie control easier. Free feeding often leads to obesity.
• Remember to count calories from treats when adjusting intake

Feeding Regimens

• Fresh water may be offered via bowls, dripping faucets, and/or fountains to promote adequate intake
• Food may need to be placed in a quiet area, especially for nervous or fearful cats
• Dry food may be provided in foraging devices such as food balls or puzzles, and in multiple small meals in several widely-dispersed bowls to slow intake and increase mental and physical activity

If a diet change is needed

• Change gradually
• Consider offering the new food as a choice, rather than mixing it with the current food
• Consider feeding a variety of quality canned and dry foods

Nutrition and Weight Management

Frequency and Calories

• Feeding small meals frequently increases digestive availability of nutrients
• Adjust calories based on body condition score

Water intake

• Increased fresh water intake is important as older cats are more prone to conditions that predispose to dehydration and subsequent constipation
• Consider offering canned food
• Use multiple water dishes
• Tuna juice ice cubes
• Water added to dry food
• Drinking fountains

If a diet change is needed

• Gradual changes over weeks to months may be needed
• Offer the new food as a choice, rather than mixing it with the current food
• Appetite stimulants may occasionally be indicated
• Consider feeding a variety of quality canned and dry foods
• Consider placing food in a variety of places around the house to encourage smaller, frequent meals.

Environmental Enrichment and Quality of Life

Keeping cats inside protects them from a variety of injuries and infectious disease and makes it easier to monitor for subtle changes.

• Enriching the environment or allowing cats to be in a strictly supervised outdoor environment or enclosure is key to providing quality of life.
• Provide companionship with regular human interaction
• As chronic illnesses become more common in these age groups, it becomes more important to be vigilant for control of pain and distress and to monitor for quality of life.

Visit the web site for the Indoor Cat Initiative at www.vet.ohio-state.edu/indoorcat for more information.