What vaccinations does my pet need?
There is no “one size fits all” vaccination protocol. If you have a puppy or kitten, they should start core immunizations and deworming at 6 weeks of age. Boosters are usually given every 3-4 weeks until the pet reaches 4 months of age. Until then, do not let them come in contact with other pets that you are not sure are vaccinated (for example taking them to the dog park).
For dogs or cats over 4 months of age that have not had vaccinations in the past year (or you are unsure of their vaccination status) it is a good idea to have a health check and talk to us about vaccination and testing. Core vaccines usually need annual or triennial boosters. There are other vaccinations that are optional and we are happy to talk to you about them based on your pet’s individual needs.
A current rabies vaccination is required by California law for all dogs over 4 months of age. Although it is not required by law, rabies vaccination for cats is a good idea. Rabies is prevalent in bats and skunks in California and there are many documented cases in pets each year. For more detailed information about Rabies, click here for an article by the CA Dept. of Public Health.
Does my pet need flea control?
If your pet goes outdoors or lives in a home with pets who go outdoors, yes. You will not always see fleas on a pet or see them scratching. Adult fleas lay up to 50 eggs per day and these eggs stay in the environment – the pet’s bedding or your carpeting – until they hatch. The best flea products treat not only the pet but the environment. We recommend Vectra 3D for dogs and Revolution for cats. Both are monthly spot treatments.
My dog or cats has little eggs on its bottom that look like pieces of rice, what are they?
Tapeworm segment on a cat's tail
They are probably tapeworm segments. Tapeworms are transmitted by fleas, so you need to bring your pet in for tapeworm treatment and also start good flea control. See The Dirt on Fleas.
What about other worms?
Puppies and kittens can get intestinal parasites from their mom, so we routinely deworm them at least twice. The parasite eggs are microscopic so you won’t necessarily see worms in the stool. Adult dogs and cats who go outside should have an annual fecal exam (stool check) for parasites. What about heartworm? Heartworm is a parasite that is transmitted by mosquitoes. It is easy to prevent but difficult and expensive to treat once a pet is infected. The incidence of heartworm disease in Southern California is smaller than the incidence in tropical areas like Florida where mosquitoes are plentiful. However there are many cases of heartworm diagnosed each year in Orange County. For more detailed information about heartworm, click here for an article by the LA West Vector Control District.
Does my dog need heartworm preventative or testing?
Heartworm preventative is given monthly beginning at 3-4 months of age. If your dog is older than this and you want to start monthly preventative, your dog should be tested for heartworm disease first. The test can be performed right in our office.
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