| Canine Health Program
Canine Health Program
Blue Cross Animal Hospital is dedicated to the health  and wellness of your dog. Preventative medical care is the most effective way to ensure that your canine companion remains healthy. Here are our recommendations for your pet’s optimal health.
Vaccinations:
Your dog deserves the best and that means vaccinating based on your pet’s individual needs. The effectiveness of any vaccine can be varied depending on factors including the individual pet’s immune response. Your puppy is not fully protected until it has received at least 2 of the series of initial vaccines (only 1 rabies vaccine is necessary for puppies) so exposure to other dogs or areas frequented by other dogs should be restricted.
Recommended vaccines for all dogs:
Canine Distemper: A highly contagious viral disease which affects the respiratory and nervous systems and is often fatal.
Adenovirus types 1 & 2: Type 1 - A viral infection that causes hepatitis. Type 2 – A viral infection that causes severe upper respiratory disease.
Parainfluenza: A highly contagious viral infection that attacks the cells that line the intestinal tract, causing severe vomiting, diarrhea, and in many cases, death.
Rabies: A viral infection that attacks the brain and is always fatal. This disease is transmittable to humans, and this vaccination is required by law.
Bordetella: A bacterial infection responsible in part for a respiratory illness commonly known as “Kennel Cough”. This vaccine is recommended for adult dogs that are exposed to other dogs (grooming facilities, boarding facilities, dog parks, etc.) and all puppies through 15 months of age.
Recommended for dogs at risk to exposure:
Lyme disease: A bacterial infection spread originally by the deer tick, but now found in many different types of ticks. This infection may cause lethargy, fever, lack of appetite, and in severe cases, lameness. This vaccine is recommended for pets that are exposed to ticks (travel to areas with ticks, camping, hiking, etc.)
Porphyromonas vaccine: A new vaccine has been introduced recently that has been shown to slow the progression of periodontal disease. The Porphyromonas bacterin vaccine helps protect against the three most common bacteria associated with infection and bone loss with progressive dental disease.
Puppy Schedule:
1st Set:
Adult Schedule
Once a solid base of immunity has been built by the puppy series and one year booster, DA2P, Parvovirus, and Rabies are each given once every three years and on a rotating basis. This is to ensure that your pet maintains immunity, but is exposed to as little antigen as possible at each visit.
If your pet is at risk of Bordetella, we recommend boosting every 6-12 months based on potential exposure.
If your pet travels to areas where tick exposure is possible, we recommend vaccinating for Lyme’s Disease. Your pet will receive an initial shot, followed by another in 2-3 weeks and a yearly booster.
Though not a common problem in the Las Vegas area, Heartworm Infestation is a concern for any of our patients that travel to or moved here from an area of the country that has a mosquito population. If your pet fits either of these criteria, we recommend a Heartworm Test to check for this deadly blood parasite and preventative medication if future exposure is expected.
A thorough Physical Exam, which may include lab work to check internal organ status, is important as your pet’s vaccinations and should be done on a yearly basis to track their wellness. Your pet should also have a Fecal Test run each year to check for intestinal parasites.
Your pet and parasites
Due to the large number of internal and external parasites and the high risk of pet infection, controlling parasites year-round is the most reliable way to ensure the highest level of health for your pet and well-being of your family. Please visit Blue Cross Animal Hospital's parasite page for more information on your pets protection against parasites.
Spay / Neuter
Unless you are planning to show or breed your dog, we recommend spaying (females) and neutering (males) at 4-6 months of age. Intact dogs have a higher risk of health and behavioral problems. Below you will find two links for more information on spays and neuters.
Canine Spay Information
Canine Neuter Information
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