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Wellness Visits

We recommend that all patients come in for an wellness visits once to twice a year regardless of whether or not they are due for any vaccinations. Wellness visits provide us with an opportunity to check-in with you as your pet’s caregiver, evaluate your pet’s overall health and often allow us to detect any issues which may or may not be readily apparent to you as a pet owner. In detecting health issues early it may allow us to take a proactive approach and address these concerns before they affect the health of the patient.

At each yearly visit, your pet will receive a full exam and the following topics will be discussed.

  • Vaccine Protocol (individualized to the life style risk factors of each patient)

*Please note that our vaccine protocols are based on the recommendations of immunologists including the American Animal Hospital Association's Canine Task Force and the American Association of Feline Practioner's Guidelines)

  • Fecal Exam
  • Heartworm, Flea and Tick Preventative
  • Appropriate Weight
  • Proper Nutrition
  • Heartworm Test and tick disease screening SNAP 4DX (Dogs only)
    • Also tests for exposure to Lyme disease and several varieties of Anaplasma and Ehrlichia, which are two other common tick borne diseases found in this area. Annual screening is recommended. 
  • Recommendations for blood work monitoring and early disease detection
  • Geriatric issues and recommended senior work-ups when applicable

VACCINE PROTOCOL

CORE VACCINATIONS (CANINE)

  • DAPP (Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus)
    • Distemper is an acute viral disease that attacks the digestive, respiratory and nervous systems. This disease is extremely contagious and can be fatal in puppies.
    • Adenovirus is a viral infection which leads to inflammation of the liver.
    • Parvovirus is a common and highly contagious disease which attacks the intestines and bone marrow.
    • After the initial series is complete, at the next annual visit dogs will receive a DAP vaccination every three years.

  • RABIES
    • This vaccine is required by Massachusetts state law.
    • The initial vaccine is considered protective for one year. Subsequent vaccinations are considered protective for a 3 year period of time (as long as proof of previous vaccination is available).

NON-CORE VACCINATIONS (CANINE)

  • LEPTOSPIROSIS
    • A bacterial disease in dogs causing internal bleeding, jaundice (liver disease), and kidney failure. This disease is transmitted by contact with infected animals (i.e. other dogs, livestock, or wildlife) urine or a contaminated water source.
    • After the initial series is complete (two vaccinations, 2-4 weeks apart), this vaccine must be boostered at each annual visit.

  • LYME
    • A tick-borne inflammatory disease in dogs that causes joint swelling, shifting leg lameness, and in some dogs, life threatening kidney failure.
    • Due to the prevalence of Lyme disease in our area, we recommend that high risk dogs consider vaccination along with comprehensive tick prevention.
    • After the initial series is complete (two vaccinations, 2-4 weeks apart), this vaccine must be boostered at each annual visit.

  • BORDETELLA
    • This vaccine prevents against infectious tracheobronchitis (kennel cough)
    • Required by many boarding, grooming, daycare, and training facilities.
    • The vaccine is available as a nasal drop, oral solution and an injectable.
    • This vaccine is updated at each annual visit as long as it is still required. Please note, some boarding, grooming and daycare facilities require this vaccine to be boostered every 6 months instead of annually. Please make sure to let us know if your dog requires this vaccine every 6 months so that his or her vaccine schedule can be adjusted accordingly.

  • CANINE INFLUENZA
    • This is an upper respiratory virus with symptoms similar to kennel cough, only more severe.
    • Several local boarding, grooming and daycare facilities require this vaccine. Please make sure to inform us if you will be bringing your pet to one of these facilities so that the vaccine can be administered.
    • After the initial series is complete (two vaccinations, 2-4 weeks apart), this vaccine must be boostered at each annual visit. Please make sure to inform us if your pet no longer requires this vaccine.

CORE VACCINES (FELINE)

  • RABIES
    • This vaccine is required by Massachusetts state law.
    • The initial vaccine is considered protective for one year. Subsequent vaccinations are considered protective for a 3 year period of time (as long as proof of previous vaccination is available).
    • This vaccine is administered under the skin in the right rear leg. Due to the association of vaccines and cancer in cats, you should always be aware of where a vaccine is given and check that site periodically for lumps.
    • Currently, research is ongoing regarding feline injection site tumors (sarcomas). Recent knowledge has linked an increased risk with vaccines that contain immune stimulates, called adjuvants. As a result, here at East Bridgewater Verterinary, we carry non-adjuvanted vaccines to reduce this risk in our patients. Although more costly, there is evidence to suggest that these vaccines are 10x less likely to cause tumor formation, which is a risk associated with all vaccines in cats and your cat's well-being is our top priority.

  • FVRCP (Feline Rhinotracheitis Calici Panleukopenia)
    • Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis is an upper respiratory disease which affects the eyes, mouth and nose.
    • Calicivirus is a group of viruses that cause upper respiratory infections.
    • Panleukopenia is a viral disease which affects the digestive and immune systems.
    • After the initial series is complete, at the next annual visit cats will receive a FVRCP vaccine that is considered good for three years
    • This vaccine should always be administered in the right front leg. Due to the association of vaccines and cancer in cats, you should always be aware of where a vaccine is given and check that site periodically for lumps.

NON CORE VACCINES (FELINE)

  • FELINE LEUKEMIA
    • A disease which affects the blood and weakens the immune system.
    • This vaccine is only recommended for outdoor cats or any cat that has contact with an outdoor cat.
    • After the initial series is complete, cats at risk for exposure should have this vaccine boostered annually.
    • This vaccine should always be administered in the left rear leg. Due to the association of vaccines and cancer in cats, you should always be aware of where a vaccine is given and check that site periodically for lumps.

  • FELINE AIDS AND LEUKEMIA TESTING
    • All kittens and new feline patients without proof of a negative aids and leukemia test will have an in-house feline aids and leukemia test performed at the first visit. 

Currently, research is ongoing regarding feline injection site tumors (sarcomas). Recent knowledge has linked an increased risk with vaccines that contain immune stimulates, called adjuvants. As a result, here at East Bridgewater Verterinary, we carry non-adjuvanted vaccines to reduce this risk in our patients. Although more costly, there is evidence to suggest that these vaccines are 10x less likely to cause tumor formation, which is a risk associated with all vaccines in cats and your cat's well-being is our top priority.

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Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

8:00 am

5:30 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am

5:30 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am

5:30 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am

5:30 pm

Friday:

8:00 am

5:30 pm

Saturday:

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Sunday:

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