• Fecal combo test: Recommended yearly. This test is for multiple intestinal parasites, including Giardia and coccidia. Giardia can be transmitted to people and carried chronically. At least 50% of these tests come back positive for Giardia. It is in our soil in this area!
• Broad spectrum de-wormer: Recommended yearly. This is effective against multiple parasites, including roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms. It is important to do both the yearly stool test AND the yearly de-wormer; especially since parasites do not always shed eggs into the stool and therefore a negative stool test can occur when intestinal parasites are present. This is particularly true of tapeworms, which are very common in this area. Tapeworms are acquired by nosing around a dead squirrel, mouse, bird, etc. The stool test is very good at picking up Giardia and coccidia, and these parasites need specific medication different from the broad spectrum de-wormer.
• DHPP vaccine: This vaccine protects against distemper, hepatitis, parvo, and parainfluenza (a contagioius respiratory illness). After the puppy series, it is recommended at one year of age and then every 3 years .
• Rabies vaccine: The first two are given one year apart, then every 3 years.
• Bordetella vaccine: This vaccine protects against a common contagious respiratory illness and is required at all boarding and grooming facilities prior to entrance. It is recommended for all dogs and is given yearly or every 6 months, depending on the facility in which the dog will be boarding/grooming. At Woodmoor Veterinary Hospital, we recommend it once yearly.
• Leptospirosis: This is a very important vaccine against a potentially life-threatening illness which is spread through contact with wildlife. It affects the liver and kidneys, and can also be transmitted to people. It is recommended yearly. We can see a higher rate of vaccine reactions with this vaccine, especially in dogs less than 20 lb. If dogs less than 20 lb are in areas where wildlife roam, we still recommend the vaccine but separate from other vaccines to help reduce the incidence of reaction.
• Rattlesnake vaccine: Two vaccines given 4 weeks apart, then yearly in the spring. This is recommended for dogs who live or hike in areas where snakes are found. It causes the body to produce its own antivenom and can protect against potentially life-threatening complications of rattlesnake bite.
• Porphyromonas vaccine: This vaccine causes the body to mount a response against the main bacteria in the mouth of dogs. The vaccine can slow down the rate of periodontal disease and is recommended for those dogs who develop periodontal disease quickly. The first two doses are given 4 weeks apart, then a yearly booster.
• Giardia vaccine: This vaccine does not prevent infection with Giardia, but does reduce the shedding of cysts in the stool and also reduces symptoms of disease. It is recommended for those dogs that have recurrent Giardia infection, or are shedding large numbers of cysts in the stool, based on fecal testing. It is given twice, 4 weeks apart, then yearly.
• Heartworm/tick prevention: In the Colorado Springs area, heartworm and tick season is May through October. Heartworm is a worm that lives in the heart and blood vessels, and can cause life-threatening problems. Ticks in this area can carry disease that can be transmitted to dogs. It is recommended that all dogs be on heartworm and tick prevention May through October. For those dogs that will be traveling to other parts of the U.S. during other times of the year, it is recommended they stay on prevention all year round. Heartworm testing is done yearly prior to refilling the preventative. This protects against potentially life-threatening reaction if heartworm prevention is given to a dog that is already infected with heartworm. SENIOR DOG (7 years or older):
• As above for adult dog, but also yearly senior blood profile, to check internal organ health. Problems with the liver, kidneys, etc often show up on bloodwork prior to dogs showing symptoms. Early detection and treatment can translate into longer and healthier lives for our dogs.

DOGS ON LONG-TERM MEDICATIONS:

• Dogs on phenobarbital, thyroid medication, carprofen (Rimadyl), etc., need yearly blood checks to make sure the liver and kidneys are handling the medication well and/or to assess blood levels of those medications. For phenobarbital and thyroid medication, please schedule the blood draw for 4-6 hours post-pill.