You’ve made it through the ever-eventful first-year puppy stage, and are now looking forward to many years with your canine companion. Here are some things you need to know to make those years as healthy as possible for your pal.
Once your dog is out of the cute puppy stage, they will have some different needs.
1 Year after Puppy Vaccinations
- DA2PP-CV (booster yearly)
- Rabies (booster yearly)
- Bordetella is a yearly vaccination, although some boarding and grooming facilities do require this to be given more often.
Recommended Tests Yearly
- Intestinal Parasite Exam (fecal)
- Heartworm Antigen Test
Optional Vaccinations
Contact us at Angel Ridge Veterinary Service if you think your dog may be in need of any of these additional vaccinations:
- Canine influenza
- Lyme
- Rattlesnake vaccine
- Leptospira
After your dog reaches a few years of age, tarter begins to build up at the junction of the gums and teeth. If this tarter is not removed, it builds up until it undermines the tissue and causes receding gums. The area then becomes infected, which leads to bad breath, as well as pain for your pet. Severe gum infections, abscessed teeth, and cheek ulcers can develop as a result.
Chronic infections of the teeth and gums also cause other health problems throughout the body. Bacteria enter the bloodstream from infected teeth and cause infection in organs such as the liver, the kidneys, the heart, and also the joints.
Good dental care care can lengthens your dog’s life an average of 10 to 20% through the prevention of secondary problems.
You can help reduce dental problems through the following:
- Feeding a dry pet food daily.
- Brushing (with toothpaste designed for animals only) daily or weekly.
- Scheduling regular dental exams and/or routine dental cleaning and polishing.
- VET enzadent chews – formulated to help remove and prevent plaque build up. Available in 4 sizes at our office.
Spaying or neutering your pet not only means a longer and healthier life, but a better companion, as well. It is best to spay or neuter your pet anywhere from 4 to 6 months, but this can be done at any age over 4 months.
Heartworm Disease
According to the American Heartworm Society, canine heartworm disease develops when a dog is bitten by a mosquito carrying microscopic heartworm larvae (juvenile worms) of a parasite called Dirofilaria immitis. As a mosquito feeds, these microscopic larvae are deposited on the dog and quickly penetrate the skin to begin their migration into the dog’s bloodstream. Adult heartworms can grow 10 to 12 inches in length and make their home in the right side of the heart and pulmonary (lung) arteries, often causing lung disease and heart failure.
Happily, this is an easily preventable disease! It is recommended to have your dog tested at least every other year, as well as to keep your dog on a preventative medication.
Give us a call here at Angel Ridge Veterinary Service for more information.