Preventive care, caught early

Core vaccines and timing that protect against the serious, preventable diseases.

• Core dog vaccines: DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parvo, parainfluenza) and rabies
• Core cat vaccines: FVRCP (rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia) and rabies
• Lifestyle add-ons if it fits your pet: Bordetella, Lyme, leptospirosis, FeLV
• Puppy and kitten series: start at 6 to 8 weeks, boosters every 3 to 4 weeks until 16 weeks
• Adults: boosters annually or every three years depending on the vaccine
• Rabies is required by Texas law, so we always keep it current

Fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal worms are a year-round problem in our climate.

• Year-round flea and tick prevention, our humidity never really gives them an off-season
• Monthly heartworm prevention is not optional here, heartworm is endemic in Southeast Texas
• Annual heartworm test for dogs, even on prevention
• Routine deworming for roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms
• A yearly fecal check to catch what you can't see

Most of the dental disease I treat could have started smaller with a little home care.

• Daily brushing with pet-safe toothpaste is the gold standard
• Start young and go slow, make it a positive routine
• Dental chews and water additives help between brushings, they don't replace them
• Watch for the early signs: bad breath, yellow-brown tartar, or chewing on one side

Regular exams are where we catch the things that don't show symptoms yet.

• Healthy adults (1 to 7 years): once a year
• Seniors (7 and up): twice a year
• Puppies and kittens: every 3 to 4 weeks until 16 weeks old
• Bloodwork yearly for adults, twice yearly for seniors