Putnam North Animal Hospital
12401 N. Rockwell
Oklahoma City, OK 73142
405-722-4777 or 405-721-PETS
Scott Mason, DVM
F. Kelley Ray, DVM, DABVP
PREVENTIVE HEALTH CARE FOR YOUR DOG
1. ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAM
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR PET IS TO HAVE THEM
EXAMINED BY ONE OF OUR VETERINARIANS EVERY YEAR. Pets age more rapidly than
people. Examining them yearly increases the likelihood that problems can be identified and
corrected or minimized as quickly as possible. We will also cover general health issues about
your pet including diet recommendations, internal and external parasite control, behavioral
concerns and age related issues such as arthritis. Depending upon the age of your pet we may
recommend certain tests such as a CBC, blood chemistries, urinalysis, thyroid testing, ECG,
radiographs and glaucoma screening. There may be some years where your pet doesn't
receive any vaccines but has several tests performed instead. Our only goal is that your pet
has the longest, healthiest life possible.
2. INTERNAL PARASITE EXAM
At the time of your pets' annual exam we will
examine a stool or fecal sample. Typically the
sample we obtain from your pet is a fairly small
quantity.
Why do I need to bring in another stool
sample?
To ensure we perform the most accurate assessment possible we will be sending you home a
container for you to obtain a larger stool sample for us to test. The size of the sample we need
is about the size of a small tootsie roll (yes, we know that's gross). A second, more accurate
test by centrifugation will then be performed. This ensures we have done everything possible to
make sure your pet is free of internal parasites.
Why is it so important for my pet to be free of internal parasites?
Internal parasites have many very serious implications for you and your pet. At a minimum they
can cause poor hair coat, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort and weight loss. Severe cases can
cause obstruction, vomiting, anemia and even death. Humans are at risk also because the
larvae of some parasites can penetrate the skin and cause cutaneous (skin) or visceral (internal
organs) migrans. This can cause skin lesions, blindness, organ failure and even death,
especially in small children. WE RECOMMEND EVERY PET BE ON A YEAR ROUND
INTERNAL PARASITE CONTROL PROGRAM.
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3. VACCINATION
Recent advances in veterinary medical science have resulted in an increase in the number and
type of vaccines that are available for dogs and improvements are continuously being made in
safety and efficacy. Some vaccines are more or less routinely advocated for all dogs ('core'
vaccines) whereas others are used more selectively according to circumstances. However, in
all cases the selection of the best vaccination program for each individual dog, including the
frequency of repeat or booster vaccines, requires professional advice. There is always a
chance that your pet might be exposed to an infectious agent that he or she wasn't vaccinated
against. Therein lays the dilemma. The bottom line is we want to protect your pet but minimize
the risks of any potential reactions or side effects.
Currently dogs can be vaccinated against several different diseases:
‘Core’ Vaccines:
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Distemper, caused by CDV or canine distemper virus.
Parvo, caused by CPV or canine parvovirus.
Hepatitis, caused by canine adenovirus Type-1.
Parainfluenza, one cause of "kennel cough", caused by the parainfluenza virus.
Rabies caused by the Rabies virus.
'Non-core', discretionary vaccines:
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Kennel cough, caused by the bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica and canine adenovirus
Type-2
Leptospirosis, caused by bacteria in the genus Leptospira. The vaccine we use includes
the serovars canicola, grippotyphosa, icterohaemorrhagiae and pomona.
Lyme disease, caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi.
Giardiasis caused by the protozoal parasite Giardia
Corona, caused by the canine corona virus.
Canine flu
What are the risks of vaccination?
There are typically very few risks to vaccinations but occasionally some patients will have
reactions or side effects. You may notice your dog has a temporary loss of appetite or is less
lively a day or two after a vaccination, but this should resolve within 24 to 48 hours. A very small
number of dogs may be truly allergic to one or more components of the vaccine and have more
serious side effects such as difficulty in breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, and in rare circumstances,
even death. You should let our office know immediately if you suspect your pet is reacting to
the vaccines. Occasionally, some dogs will have a local reaction to a vaccine and will develop a
lump or bump at the injection site. These are typically not problematic and usually resolve
within two to three weeks. Please let our office know if your pet develops a bump at an injection
site. Some researchers have suggested a link between vaccines in dogs and a certain type of
anemia. Although the anemia is rare and vaccines have not been definitively proven to be a
cause, it is another reason for us to choose just the vaccines your pet needs and not to give
them vaccines unnecessarily.
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Do vaccines provide 100% protection?
Vaccines will protect the vast majority of dogs but under certain circumstances vaccine
breakdowns will occur. Reasons for such breakdowns or apparent 'vaccine failure' include:
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Maternally derived antibodies. When a puppy is born and after it suckles its
mother, it acquires a proportion of any antibodies from the mother. So a wellvaccinated female will confer antibodies to the diseases she has been vaccinated
against and any others she has acquired naturally to her puppies. Such antibodies
protect the pup against those diseases for the first 2 or 3 months of its life, arguably
the most critical period. However during this same period the maternally derived
antibodies can block the effects of vaccination of the pup. This blocking effect
decreases as the maternal antibody gradually disappears over those 2 to 3 months.
A point in time is reached when vaccination can be successfully given. Unfortunately
this point varies between pups, mainly because the amount of maternal antibodies
that each pup receives is variable. This is part of the reason that a minimum of two
vaccinations are usually given two to three weeks
apart in the puppy vaccination program. Maternal
antibody interference has been a particular problem
with canine parvovirus vaccination.
Incomplete immune response. There is variation
between dogs in their immune system. Some dogs
don't respond as well as others to vaccinations, so
immunity may be incomplete or shorter-lived than
normal. Certain breeds and genetic lines have a
tendency for such problems.
Declining immunity. Without booster vaccinations, or
without natural boosting of immunity by sporadic
exposure to the infectious agent in nature, immunity to
the specific organism declines over time, particularly in
older age. There may come a time when, if there is a
particularly heavy dose of the organism from the
environment, the declining immunity may be insufficient and overwhelmed with a
disease resulting.
Immune suppression. Certain infections and some drugs, such as anti-cancer
drugs, may cause a suppression of the immune system so that an otherwise wellvaccinated dog becomes susceptible to infection and disease if exposed.
New strains of organism. Some infectious agents exist in different strains or new
strains evolve, that are not directly covered by the vaccines given. There may be
some ‘cross-protection’ but it may not be complete.
The above are not the only reasons for vaccination ‘failure’ but they are the most likely
explanations.
Which vaccines are needed in dogs?
This is a difficult question and will depend on individual
circumstances including the area you live in and the
lifestyle of your dog. As mentioned before, certain vaccines
are more routinely given and are regarded as 'core'
vaccines. Others may or may not be advised depending on
the particular situation of your dog. We will assess the
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relative risks based upon your circumstances and advise you accordingly.
Canine parvovirus infection
This highly contagious disease can cause severe vomiting and bloody diarrhea, and can lead to
dehydration, shock and death. It affects puppies and older dogs the hardest. While it's
transmitted through an infected dog's feces, this extremely hardy virus can be readily
transported on dog's hair and feet, people's clothing and shoes, as well as water bowls and
other objects. An infected dog sheds millions of these viruses daily.
Canine distemper infection
A very contagious disease that is highly fatal in puppies. It is also seen in unvaccinated dogs. It
can cause diarrhea, pneumonia, seizures, paralysis and death.
Adenovirus Type - 1 and Type - 2
Type - 1 causes infectious canine hepatitis which can affect the liver and lead to death. Type 2 causes one form of canine cough.
Kennel cough or canine cough
A highly contagious respiratory disease which causes dogs to cough, sneeze and gag. The two
major causes of kennel cough are Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria and the parainfluenza
virus. Because this airborne disease is so readily spread from dog to dog, vaccination is
recommended for all dogs annually and every six months for dogs that are shown, boarded,
groomed, play at the dog park or is exposed to other dogs periodically. Due to the complicated
nature of kennel cough and other potential causes, some vaccinated dogs may still get a milder
form of kennel cough and still need treatment.
Rabies
This is such an important disease because of the almost 100% fatality rate of cases once
symptoms occur, and because of its potential transmission to people by bites from infected
animals. Rabies vaccination is an essential part of the vaccinations program for all dogs and is
required by local and state law. Any dog that spends time
outdoors may be exposed to wild animals that can transmit this
incurable, fatal disease. This threat is commonly spread by
contact with the saliva of infected animals through bites or a
break in the skin.
Leptospirosis
This bacterial infection, which is transmitted by contact with the
urine of infected animals, can lead to permanent kidney damage.
It is of particular concern in areas of flooding because it can be
spread to other pets, as well as to humans. The most common
place your dog may be exposed to this bacterium is from contact
with outdoor water sources. These can include backyard ponds, the dog park, going to the lake,
hunting, hiking and playing in greenbelts as well as many others. The vaccine we use protects
against the most serovars (variants) of this bacterium that is available. We recommend your
dog be vaccinated against this bacterium if they have exposure to any outdoor water sources.
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REGULAR VACCINATION IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF ROUTINE HEALTH CARE FOR
YOUR DOG AND HELPS ENSURE YOUR DOG REMAINS FIT AND WELL.
What vaccines should not be given?
Currently, there are many opinions of which vaccines should and should not be given. We
follow the recommendations of the AVMA as well as the American Animal Hospital Association.
They are the leading experts in the country regarding canine medicine. It is the general
consensus of these national experts that the vaccine for Corona virus should never be given.
The Giardia vaccine should only be given to dogs with continual exposure to this parasite and
the Lyme disease vaccine should not be given in Oklahoma at this time as there is no good
evidence to indicate that the disease is prevalent and affecting dogs here.
4. PARASITE PREVENTION
Canine heartworm disease remains a major threat to your dogs' health. It is caused by a bloodborne parasite called Dirofilaria immitis which is spread from dog to dog by mosquitoes. It can
take a number of years before dogs show outward signs of infection and it is usually quite
serious by that time. The most obvious signs are a soft, dry cough, shortness of breath,
weakness, nervousness, listlessness, and loss of stamina. WE RECOMMEND ALL DOGS BE
ON YEAR ROUND PARASITE PREVENTATIVE.
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What product is best for my dog?
There are many products marketed today for prevention of canine heartworm disease. The
drug we like best is Milbemycin and is found in Sentinel. It prevents heartworms, deworms your
pet for hookworms, roundworms and whipworms and controls fleas. It should be given once a
month on the same day on a full stomach.
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A LIFETIME OF WELLNESS-DOG
For adult dogs over the age of 1 year
 Annual comprehensive physical examination
 Weight check / Body condition scoring
 Nutritional assessment
 Dental examination
 Stool checks for intestinal parasites
 Heartworm testing
 Vaccinations based on lifestyle
 Monthly Heartworm prevention/parasite control
As your pet matures and grows older we will recommend wellness tests throughout their life to help you keep them as
healthy as possible. The Doctors' recommendations are based on:
AGE
BREED
CURRENT HEALTH STATUS
Young Adult (1-5 years)
o Spay / Neuter— if not done as a puppy (will require pre-anesthetic bloodwork)
o Bloodwork: Basic chemistries and CBC - general screening or pre-anesthetic for dental cleaning
o Dental cleaning— if needed
Mature (6-9 years)
o Spay / Neuter— if not done as an adult (we do not recommend keeping any pet intact past 6 years of age)
o Bloodwork: Basic chemistries and CBC - general screening, medication monitoring or dental cleaning
Thyroid testing-screening for thyroid conditions or medication monitoring
o Dental cleaning— usually done yearly when necessary
o X-ray—screening or monitoring for heart conditions, osteoarthritis
Senior (10-12 years)
o Spay / Neuter—pet is now at serious risk for life-threatening conditions (infection or cancer)
o Bloodwork: Basic chemistries and CBC - general screening, medication monitoring or dental cleaning
Thyroid testing - screening for thyroid conditions or medication monitoring
o Dental cleaning— normally done yearly for the over-all health of pet
o Urinalysis—screening for bladder or kidney conditions
o X-ray—screening or monitoring for heart conditions, osteoarthritis
Geriatric (13 + years)
o Spay / Neuter— pet is at extreme medical risk for life-threatening illness (infection or cancer)
o Bloodwork: Basic chemistries and CBC - general screening, medication monitoring or dental cleaning
Thyroid testing - screening for thyroid conditions or medication monitoring
o Dental cleaning—normally done yearly to help maintain health of pet, may need to be done twice a year
based on condition of the mouth
o Urinalysis—screening for bladder or kidney conditions
o X-ray—screening or monitoring for heart conditions, osteoarthritis
o ECG—monitoring the electrical activity of the heart
Additional tests not listed here may be recommended as needed to evaluate specific medical conditions.
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