Susannes German Shepherd Milly Was Diagnosed With Aggressive Cancer
Susanne Sullivan rescued Milly at 18 months of age. She decided to take out pet insurance cover, and was glad she did, because at 6 years old, Milly developed an aggressive form of cancer in her paw, which has since recurred. Bow Wow Meow reimbursed 80% of her veterinary costs on both accounts and she is very grateful that she made the choice to insure Milly.
Susanne Sullivan rescued Milly at 18 months of age. She decided to take out pet insurance cover, and was glad she did, because at 6 years old, Milly developed an aggressive form of cancer in her paw, which has since recurred. Bow Wow Meow reimbursed 80% of her veterinary costs on both accounts and she is very grateful that she made the choice to insure Milly.
Vaccines For Dogs And Cats
First, what is a vaccine? According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals:
Vaccines help prepare the body’s immune system to fight the invasion of disease-causing organisms. Vaccines contain antigens, which look like the disease-causing organism to the immune system but don’t actually cause disease. When the vaccine is introduced to the body, the immune system is mildly stimulated. If a dog is ever exposed to the real disease, his immune system is now prepared to recognize and fight it off entirely or reduce the severity of the illness.
A pets vaccine requirements depend on his or her age and region of residence. As with young children, puppies and kittens need a few rounds of vaccines to jumpstart their immunity with boosters every year or every few years afterward.
The core vaccinations according to the American Animal Hospital Association for dogs include:
- Parvovirus
- Rabies
Veterinarians may also recommend vaccines against distemper and feline infectious peritonitis.
Some people with indoor cats opt for less vaccines some people dont care and want to protect their cat no matter what, said Dr. Andy McCord, veterinarian at Gainesway Small Animal Clinic in Lexington, Ky.
If your pet spends a significant portion of time outdoors, recommendations for those boosters could change, depending on disease prevalence in the area.
Heartworm Test And Prevention
Heartworm disease, spread by the bite of infected mosquitos, is a big problem in Texas, which is one of the few states where heartworm can be a problem year round. Heartworms are difficult and expensive to treat, but relatively simple to prevent.
Before getting heartworm preventative medication for your dog, we recommend getting a heartworm test. The heartworm test will check if your already has Heartworm Disease, heartworms currently present in your dog. We can perform the test on-site after drawing a small amount of blood. This test can tell us whether or not your dog has adult heartworms, however, the test cannot detect the immature stages of the heartworm.
It takes a minimum of 6 months for heartworms to reach the adult stage and thus be detectable. Therefore we recommend getting a second heartworm test again 6 months later if your dog has been off preventative for a long period of time, especially if he or she has been exposed to mosquitoes.
If your dog tests as negative for heartworm, we can provide Proheart 6, a heartworm preventative injectable, or Iverheart Plus, a heartworm preventative in the form of monthly tablets, on-site. We also have many other heartworm preventative options available that we can ship to your address if they better fit your needs.
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Everything You Need To Know About The Parvovirus Vaccine
Taking your dog for a walk around the block could cause him to contract a fatal and contagious disease
We hear these warnings for parvovirus every year.
The media portrays parvo as a maniacal stalker waiting for the opportunity to claim your dog as a victim. Veterinarians warn us about what could happen if we dont get our puppies vaccinated.
With this type of media coverage and advice, its hard not to fear parvo.
And its true parvo is a very serious illness!
But if you look at the facts surrounding it, youll be less susceptible to the hype. Youll be able to make better vaccination decisions based on science instead of fear.
So today, I am going to tell you everything you need to know about parvo. That way you can feel confident when your vet mentions the parvovirus vaccine at your puppys first visit.
But first, lets dive deeper into what parvovirus is and how it can affect your dog.
Some Of The Symptoms Of Parvovirus Include:
- Bloating and abdominal pain
Transmission is more common among younger, unvaccinated pets and in crowded places like kennels or dog parks. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association , canine parvovirus can contaminate kennel surfaces, food and water bowls, collars and leashes, and the hands and clothing of people who handle infected dogs. It is resistant to heat, cold, humidity, and drying, and can survive in the environment for long periods.
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Jumpstart Your Puppys Immune System
In their first year of life, puppies will need to visit their veterinarian numerous times to get vaccinated for and become immunized against potentially fatal, yet preventable infectious diseases. The worst of these are Distemper and Parvo.
The timing and interval between booster vaccinations is critical to ensure your puppy is protected, as their mothers antibodies can interfere with a vaccinations ability to mount your puppys own immune response. Thus, puppies need a series of vaccinations to allow their immune system to break through waning maternal antibody.
At 5 Months Of Age Odin The Alaskan Malamute Wasnt Walking Quite Right
His dad, Pip Allen, took him to a number of vets who advised that he needed surgery. Since then he has had a fair bit of work, and Pip is thankful that Bow Wow Meow helped look after everything. He is grateful to the Bow Wow team for going above and beyond, and helping Odin get the specialist support he needed. Odin is now, thankfully, back to being an unstoppable crazy monster!
His dad, Pip Allen, took him to a number of vets who advised that he needed surgery. Since then he has had a fair bit of work, and Pip is thankful that Bow Wow Meow helped look after everything. He is grateful to the Bow Wow team for going above and beyond, and helping Odin get the specialist support he needed. Odin is now, thankfully, back to being an unstoppable crazy monster!
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How Many Distemper Shots Does A Puppy Need
Then they start getting it from 6 weeks old, every two to four weeks, up until they’re 16 weeks old, Dr. Bustamante said.
Making sure your dog is fully vaccinated against the virus is so important. And the only way that can happen is if hes getting absolutely every dose of the distemper vaccine he needs.
I feel that most of the puppies I’ve seen infected with viruses, even if they’ve received one dose, it’s because owners thought that they were protected and they didn’t know that they were still missing , Dr. Bustamante said.
Dogs of any age can get the distemper vaccine, but its best to start the process in 6-week-old puppies.
Prior to 6 weeks old, vaccines in puppies are not as effective because they interfere with the immunity that their mom gives them , Dr. Bustamante said.
According to Dr. Bustamante, your dog is supposed to get another injection when hes a year old. From there, hell get boosters every so often.
Depending on where you are, sometimes it’s every three years after, Dr. Bustamante said.
If you arent sure whether or not your pup has been fully vaccinated, your vet should be able to help you figure it out.
Whenever you go to your vet … bring all the vaccine records because your vet will see when your puppy was vaccinated, and then will tell you when else your puppy needs future vaccines, Dr. Bustamantee said.
Parvo Is Hard To Kill
Even if your dog is isolated, and his immediate area is disinfected, the virus can still live for a long time. Steam, sunlight, and bleach are commonly used in an attempt to kill canine parvovirus, but theres no guarantee that these methods will be 100% effective. Even if the area appears to be perfectly clean, re-infection is always a possibility.
So now you know the facts about canine parvovirus and the parvo vaccine. Now, lets talk about the disease itself.
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How Much Do Puppy Vaccinations Cost
Veterinary care is fairly expensive, even for routine things like vaccinations and preventative – BUT it is absolutely essential if you want your puppy to survive and to live a happy and healthy life.
How Much Does It Cost To Own A Dog?
Raising a puppy and keeping him happy, healthy and well-fed throughout his lifetime is NOT cheap.
Before you add a dog to your family it’s a good idea to make sure you can afford his care.
Check out this page to find out what you need to know….The Real Cost of Dog Ownership
Getting Fidos’ puppy shots taken care of is going to be one of the first puppy-parenting health-care responsibilities that you face, so it’s understandable that you’d like to know how much they are going to cost.
Unfortunately there’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ answer to this question because a lot depends on where you live, your own veterinarians’ protocol, your income and so on.
All regular veterinary clinics offer vaccinations, and there are low-cost vaccination clinics in many towns and cities.
Some vets offer annual programs and package deals for vaccinations and other routine procedures.
Although I can’t give you an exact figure for how much your puppy vaccinations cost, I can give you some ballpark figures to work with based on costs in my area …..
Banfield Pet Hospitals
Vaccinations can be administered separately for $32 each.
Estimated Cost Of Puppy Vaccinations & Vet Checks
How Is Parvo Diagnosed
Parvovirus is easy for veterinarians to diagnose using a SNAP test. A test that accurately detects the parvovirus antigen in stool in about 10 minutes.
Your vet will also run blood work while you wait. This is to check your puppys immune cells and hydration. If your puppy is infected, this will show how severely the virus is attacking his cells.
One reason vets advocate for the parvovirus vaccine is that the cost of treating the illness can be high. Vet bills totaling in the thousands are not unusual.
Most puppy owners are willing to pay these large bills to save their puppies but not everyone can afford it.
At first glance, it makes sense. Vaccinate your puppy to avoid costly vet bills or loss of life in the future. But were about to tell you what they dont say .
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And One More: Heartworm
Heartworms are parasitic worms that are spread by mosquitos, and the resulting disease can be devastating. When the worms enter the dogs body, they find their way to the heart and lungs where they grow and multiply until the organs become clogged and eventually fail.
Heartworm prevention medication can be administered as an injection between the ages of 12 and 16 weeks, and thereafter with an annual booster. Additionally, preventative medication can be administered as a tablet which is typically given monthly or bi-monthly.
Pennys Active Border Collie Joey Had Hip Dysplasia In Both Hips
Joey needed surgery at just 7 months. Bow Wow Meow removed the financial stress so that Penny could concentrate on Joeys rehabilitation. Penny says that Joeys life would be dramatically different if he had no cover. He is now 6 years old and loves running around her property!
Joey needed surgery at just 7 months. Bow Wow Meow removed the financial stress so that Penny could concentrate on Joeys rehabilitation. Penny says that Joeys life would be dramatically different if he had no cover. He is now 6 years old and loves running around her property!
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What Vaccines Does Your Dog Need
The Australian Veterinary Association has identified two categories of vaccines dogs will typically need. These are core vaccines and non-core vaccines.
Core vaccines
Core vaccines protect your dog against 3 life-threatening diseases. Your vet will give these vaccines in a single combination called the C3 vaccination and your pup will need 2 or 3 rounds of the C3 between 6 and 16 weeks of age. The C3 is necessary for all dogs no matter how they are raised or where they live.
-
More about the diseases the C3 is designed to stop
- Canine distemper virus . This is a highly infectious, incurable and possibly fatal viral infection that starts off by attacking your dog’s respiratory system and can later attack the brain and spinal cord leading to seizures and paralysis.
- Canine adenovirus . Also known as canine hepatitis, this is a virus that attacks the liver and kidneys leading to jaundice, loss of appetite and bleeding disorders. Most dogs recover but side effects can last for a long time.
- Canine parvovirus . Parvovirus is a highly infectious disease that lives in the faeces of infected dogs and can remain in the environment for up to a year. It attacks the digestive system, bone marrow and immune system .
Non-core vaccines
These vaccines aren’t necessary for all dogs all the time.
However, they are necessary for certain dogs whose location, environment and lifestyle make them prone to certain diseases such as Leptospira interrogans and Parainfluenza virus.
Why Vaccinate Your Pet
Dog vaccines and cat vaccines help protect your pet from contagious diseases, many of which can cause serious illness or death. Vaccinations are important even if your pet is kept indoors as many contagious diseases are airborne and capable of living a long time in any environment. For example, parvovirus is extremely contagious and can be transmitted by any person, animal or object that comes in contact with an infected dog’s feces. Highly resistant, the virus can live in the environment for months, and may survive on inanimate objects such as food bowls, shoes, clothes, carpet, and floors.
Disease prevention is always less costly than treating a condition your pet has developed. Returning to the example of parvovirus, treatments for that disease can frequently cost $1,000 or more while our DA2PPV dog vaccine that includes protection against parvovirus is only $25.
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Are You A California Resident
20% off offer valid through 12/26/2021 online only when choosing same day homedelivery powered by DoorDash. May not be combinable with other available offers or discount. Certain productsand brands are not eligible for sitewide offers or promotions and specifically excludes, The Pharmacy atPetSmart, services, gift cards, gift certificates, previous purchases and charitable donations. Savings willautomatically reflect in cart with purchase of qualifying merchandise. Limit one redemption per customer duringthe offer period. Same-day home delivery is available in most areas. Order by 9am for delivery between 12pm-3pm,by 1pm for between 3pm 6pm, & by 3 pm for delivery between 6pm-8pm. Orders placed after 3pm will be fulfilledthe next day Select products not eligible for same day delivery. While delivery is contact-free, we recommendbeing home during the delivery window to bring perishable items inside right away. Prices & selection may varyin stores & online. While supplies last. Quantities may be limited. See www.petsmart.com/help or store associatefor more details.
How To Prevent Your Dog From Getting Parvo
The canine parvovirus vaccine is most often given in a combination vaccine that goes by a variety of acronyms: DHPP, DAPP, DA2PP, DHLPP, etc. This vaccine is considered a core vaccine and should be given every three to four weeks from 6 weeks to at least 16 weeks of age.
The most important thing is making sure you get your puppy in on time for their vaccines. If too much time has passed between boosters, the vaccine series will need to be started over again to maintain protection.
Puppies should only socialize with fully vaccinated dogs until they are able to be fully vaccinated. Areas where vaccination status is not ensured, such as dog parks, should be avoided.
An exception is puppy classes at a reputable training center, as all puppies are required to have at least their first vaccine against parvovirus, and training and socialization at an early age are extremely important.
A dog will need to receive a booster vaccine at one year of age to be considered fully vaccinated. Dogs should also continue to receive vaccines every one to three years for life.
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How Long Does It Take A Vaccine To Produce Immunity
Within a few hours of vaccination, the earliest phases of the immune response are being stimulated. It usually requires ten to fourteen days before a reasonable level of protection is established. Killed vaccines may not provide adequate protection until after the second dose. In young puppies, maternal antibodies may hinder protection until later in the vaccine series.
Therefore, it is advisable to keep even a vaccinated pup away from dogs or pups of unknown vaccination history until it has finished its vaccination course.
The Dangers Of A Little Knowledge
You are part of a growing community of people seeking to provide the best natural care to your animals. You want them to be Vital Animals, those glowing, well-balanced, fully free animals that bring you joy not only today and this week, but for many happy healthy years into the future. And, when its time for them to shuffle off their mortal coil, Vital Animals can usually do this at home, with ease, naturally, and without ERs or euthanasia solutions in the equation.
A large part of getting this glorious outcome depends on you walking the Natural Path, and taking responsibility for the animals in your care. Its no longer in your best interests to turn that responsibility over to Dr. WhiteCoat, as hes not on the same path, especially in the most important piece of health care you must decide: vaccinations.
Many of you have, rightly, sought to reduce or eliminate vaccinations after reading in various places that the common practice of repeatedly vaccinating your animal throughout her life is neither useful nor safe. One alternative thats been offered to you is titer testing.
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