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Prevention Guide
Preventive Care Guide
Comprehensive preventive care recommendations from Hearthstone Animal Clinic to keep your pet healthy and protected from preventable diseases.
Essential Preventive Care
Vaccination Schedules
Essential vaccines and timing to protect your pet from serious diseases.
- Core vaccines for dogs: DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza), Rabies
- Core vaccines for cats: FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia), Rabies
- Non-core vaccines based on lifestyle: Bordetella, Lyme disease, FeLV
- Puppy/kitten series: Start at 6-8 weeks, boosters every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks
- Adult boosters: Annual or triennial depending on vaccine type
- Always maintain current rabies vaccination as required by law
Parasite Prevention
Protecting your pet from fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal parasites.
- Year-round flea and tick prevention recommended in Houston climate
- Monthly heartworm prevention is essential - heartworms are endemic in Texas
- Regular deworming for intestinal parasites (roundworms, hookworms, whipworms)
- Annual heartworm testing for dogs, even when on prevention
- Fecal exams to check for intestinal parasites
- Environmental control: treat home and yard as recommended
Dental Care at Home
Daily dental care practices to prevent periodontal disease.
- Daily tooth brushing with pet-safe toothpaste is ideal
- Start dental care gradually when pets are young
- Use finger brushes or pet toothbrushes
- Dental chews and toys can help reduce plaque buildup
- Water additives may help maintain oral health
- Watch for signs of dental disease: bad breath, yellow tartar, difficulty eating
Wellness Exam Schedule
Regular checkups are crucial for early disease detection.
- Annual exams for healthy adult pets (1-7 years old)
- Semi-annual exams for senior pets (7+ years)
- Puppy/kitten exams every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks old
- Comprehensive physical examination includes all body systems
- Blood work screening recommended annually for adults, twice yearly for seniors
- Early detection allows for more effective treatment options
Preventive Care by Life Stage
Puppies & Kittens (0-1 year)
- Multiple vaccination series starting at 6-8 weeks
- Deworming every 2-3 weeks until 6 months old
- Spay/neuter around 6 months of age
- Begin flea/tick and heartworm prevention as recommended
- Regular growth monitoring and nutritional counseling
Adult Pets (1-7 years)
- Annual wellness exams and vaccinations
- Year-round parasite prevention
- Annual blood work screening
- Dental cleanings as needed (typically every 1-3 years)
- Weight management and exercise counseling
Senior Pets (7+ years)
- Semi-annual wellness exams
- Comprehensive blood panels twice yearly
- More frequent dental care monitoring
- Arthritis and mobility assessments
- Cognitive function evaluation
Houston-Specific Considerations
Living in Houston presents unique challenges for pet health:
Climate Concerns:
- High humidity increases flea/tick activity year-round
- Heartworm disease is endemic in Southeast Texas
- Hot summers require heat stroke prevention
Local Requirements:
- Rabies vaccination required by Harris County law
- City licensing requires current vaccinations
- Boarding and grooming facilities require vaccination proof
Stay Current with Preventive Care
Our team at Hearthstone Animal Clinic will create a personalized preventive care plan to keep your pet healthy and protected.