Preventative Medicine – Our ideal goal is to increase your pet’s longevity through preventative medicine. Baseline blood work, radiographs, ect. will be recommended from time to time depending on your pet’s age, breed, medical history, exposure to diseases or lifestyle. This helps us catch some diseases in the early process so we can actually do something to slow the process down.
Examinations and Vaccinations – Puppies and Kittens should begin vaccinations at 5-6 weeks of age. Dr. Mercer will also perform a comprehensive exam, test for intestinal and external parasites and give appropriate medications if needed. The staff will discuss important topics such as nutrition, house or create training, and heartworm, flea and intestinal parasite preventions. You will receive a puppy or kitten care kit for your new family member. Kittens at the age of 9 weeks of age should be tested for Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency Viruses.
Dr. Mercer has decided to only use PureVax FVRCPC vaccines (upper respiratory vaccinations) and PureVax Feline Leukemia which have been proven to significantly reduce the occurrence of feline sarcomas (a tumor that can occur with the use of all other brands of vaccinations). The Feline leukemia vaccination is administered with a VET JET transdermal system for enhanced immune response through targeted antigen presentation.
We do offer the Rattlesnake Vaccination for canines. It is recommended for pets that are active out door family members such as hunting dogs, pets who travel or live close to areas known to have rattlesnakes. There are several areas on this Peninsula known to have rattlesnakes. This will not prevent the need to seek immediate medical attention but having this vaccination onboard greatly increases the likelihood of survival. It also greatly decreases the duration of illness due to a rattlesnake bite.
Lyme Disease Vaccination -
We recommend an annual comprehensive examination. At that time appropriate vaccinations will be given, annual heartworm and intestinal parasite testing will also be recommended. Even pets on monthly heartworm prevention can still become positive for heartworms. This test is an important part of ensuring your furry or feathered family members good health.
Senior Family Members – Every pet ages differently but generally a pet at 7 years of age or older is considered a senior. We will continue the annual comprehensive examination since as your pet ages they are more prone to illness. Early detetection of illness and disease are key to successful treatment and longevity and well as keeping your pet as comfortable as possible. We encourage wellness blood work to ensure all internal organs are functioning properly and to detect any underlying disorders. By the time a pet shows signs of illness most disease processes are very progressed. Nutritional recommendations may also change during this time frame.
Thoughtful Diagnostic Medicine – When a pet is ill the sooner the correct treatment begins the sooner the pet begins recovery. Dr Dana Mercer is a thorough diagnostician. She may recommend blood work, other laboratory testing or radiographs. In some cases she may consult with a board certified specialist in what ever field necessary to move forward with the diagnosis and treatment of your beloved family member. On occasion referral to a specialist is warranted. Dr. Mercer will of course discuss this with you and the two of you will decide the best course of action for the situation.
