We provide the following vaccinations for dogs:
RABIES
The rabies vaccination is required by law by the state of Michigan for all dogs 4 months of age or older. Rabies is a fatal disease that is transmitted through the saliva and affects the nervous system. Both pets and humans can be infected by rabies through bite wounds from infected animals. Your dog's first rabies vaccination will always be a 1-year vaccination. A 3-year vaccination is available if it is boostered BEFORE your dog's 1-year vaccine expires.
DHLPP (Distemper combination, or 5-way vaccine)
This vaccination is highly recommended for all dogs due to the severity, contagiousness, and environmental longevity of these diseases. The DHLPP combo protects your dog against Canine Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus. If your dog has never had this vaccine before, it will be initially given in a series of 2-4 boosters each 3-4 weeks apart. After your dog has finished its initial boosters, it is generally an annual vaccine.
Kennel Cough (Bordetella)
This vaccination is recommended (and often required) for any pet that is boarded in a kennel or daycare, groomed, or is otherwise frequently around many other dogs. It protects your dog against the Bordetella strain of Kennel Cough, a common upper respiratory disease that is spread through the air and via contact with other dogs. This is an annual vaccination, though a few kennels may require it done every six months.
Lymes
This vaccination is recommended for dogs who spend a lot of time outside, especially in or near wooded areas where ticks are most common. It protects your dog against Lymes disease, which is spread by ticks. If your dog has never had this vaccine before, it will initially be given in a series of 2 boosters 3-4 weeks apart. After your dog has finished its initial boosters, it is an annual vaccine.
Canine Influenza (CIV)
This vaccination is recommended for any dog that goes to a boarding kennel, doggy day care, or is otherwise frequently around many other dogs. CIV is the canine strain of influenza, similar to the human influenza virus. It is spread through the air and via contact with other dogs. CIV is not contagious to humans, nor is human influenza contagious to dogs. If your dog has never had this vaccine before, it will initially be given in a series of 2 boosters 2-4 weeks apart. After your dog has finished its initial boosters, it is an annual vaccine.
4DX Heartworm Test
For this test, we take a small blood sample from your dog. It tests for heartworms, Lymes disease, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma. Heartworms are an internal parasite that are transferred by mosquitoes. The worms work their way into your dog's heart, and are fatal without treatment. Lymes, Ehrlicha, and Anaplasma are all carried by different types of ticks. Lymes disease can cause lameness, fever, lethargy, and enlarged lymph nodes. Ehrlicha can cause fever, listlessness, enlarged lymph nodes, bleeding, swelling of the eyes, and neurological effects. Anaplasma can cause lameness, joint pain, fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, and labored breathing.
Yearly heartworm testing is strongly encouraged by the American Heartworm Society and by our veterinarians for all dogs 6 months old and older. Even if your pet has been taking their heartworm pill diligently every month, it is still important to run an annual test. Some types of heartworms, while rare in our area, are more resistant to heartworm preventatives than others. Since giving a heartworm positive dog a heartworm preventative can prove fatal, we recommend yearly testing for the safety and health of your dog.
Fecal Test
For this test, we will need a stool sample from your dog. It tests for intestinal parasites such as roundworms, whip worms, hookworms, coccidia, giardia, and tapeworms. These parasites are picked up from various sources in the environment, and can cause a variety of gastrointestinal issues. We recommend annual fecal testing, and some boarding and grooming facilities will require a current fecal test in order to take advantage of their services.