The Wellness Exam is the key to keeping your pup healthy. Puppies age 14 years by human standards their first year of life! The general physical exam will help determine if your pet is growing and developing normally, or to detect any problems at an early stage.

6 in 1 Combo Vaccine is the core vaccine for most dogs. This vaccine prevents the diseases your dog is most likely to come into contact with. Even if your pet is "only a house or yard" dog, they will be exposed to these infections regularly. Many diseases are airborne and travel about freely. Other diseases, such as parvo, are carried around on shoes, clothing, in dirt or dust or by other animals and insects. Puppies need 3 vaccines, 3-4 weeks apart to develop adequate protection, then a booster every year.

Fecal exams should be part of wellness care. Pups can have both worm and non-worm parasites and can even get parasites while still in the uterus or from their own mother’s milk! Most parasites are occult (hidden) and cannot be seen with the naked eye. We advise 2 stool tests, usually 60 days apart, for all new pups.

Rabies Vaccine protects you and your pet against this deadly and fatal disease. Normally we give the first vaccine at 3-4 months of age, then a year later, then every 3 years. We often wait to give the first vaccine when your pet is spayed/neutered at 6 months because the dog license is much cheaper after neutering.

Bordatella/Parainfluenza Vaccine protects your dog against two common respiratory diseases. Your pet should have this vaccine if they will be boarded, groomed regularly, go out to the pet store or doggy park and have more generalized exposure to places other dogs congregate.

Lyme Disease is not common in the valley but dogs that camp up north should have the vaccine. A Rattlesnake Vaccine is now available for dogs that live closer to desert areas.

Heartworm Testing and Prevention is important here from April through September. Dogs should be tested every two years and have the prevention at least during the 6 months of summer. Puppies can start heartworm prevention immediately depending on the time of year, and may not need immediate testing.

Spaying and Neutering should be done about 5-6 months of age.