Some rabies vaccines have now been shown to last for at least three years. Note, not all vaccines will last this long, and it also depends on the immune state of your animal when vaccinated. Check with us before you skip your annual booster.

The "distemper combination" of vaccines for both dogs and cats is a mixture of up to six different vaccines all in one needle. Some of these vaccines can expire at eight to nine months, while others appear to have life long protection in some animals. At the moment, they are still all in one vaccine and it should be given every year. New blood tests allow us to measure a threshold titre that is a less expensive way to estimate if these vaccines will need to be boosted. Ask if these tests may be helpful for your pet.

Feline Leukemia Virus has now been very well studied and some of the mystery surrounding its immune suppression has been documented. Most authorities now say that an adult cat, in a relatively low risk category, can successfully fight off this virus. Higher risk cats are those under two years of age and those cats that are real street fighters -getting exposed on a daily basis. Current recommendations are to vaccinate all kittens up to two years of age and then annually, depending on the risk category. Most adult cats will no longer need the annual booster shot for this virus, given the new information.

For many years, all dogs were given an injectable vaccine against the bordetella bacteria. Several years ago, it was shown that this vaccine did not protect dogs when put into a kennel or when exposed to other dogs with this disease. Now, given as a vaccine that is squirted up the nose, it has protection that can start as early as three days after it is given. If your dog is at risk of getting this disease either from being boarded at a kennel or going to a grooming salon, it is a good idea to boost this vaccine annually. Since most puppies' immune systems are still very weak, it is our policy to vaccinate all puppies against this disease, and then booster any adults at risk.

If your dog likes to vacation near the shores of Lake Erie, you should consider getting her vaccinated against Lyme disease. New vaccines are available that are designed to be very specific and safe. Since this disease requires a tick to carry it onto your pet, and since this tick dose not appear to come north of Lake Erie, routine vaccination of all dogs is not currently recommended. This may change in years to come as some research has indicated that migrating birds may be temporary carriers of this tick. Keep an open mind about this disease; it may be more important than we think. This year has seen sporadic occurences of the tick that carries the lyme disease bacteria in Brantford. This may prove to be a more serious concern. We will be testing for this next year with our heartworm tests to see how big a concern it really is. Stay subcribed for more info!

An old disease with a new twist! This bacteria is a particularly interesting one. Under the microscope it looks like a loosely coiled spring. For many years some strains of this disease have caused serious illness to cows and pigs. In recent years there has been a significant increase of this disease in dogs. Racoons opossums and skunks are carriers. Unfortunately, the symptoms are very vague, from vomiting and diarrhea to liver and kidney problems. This is a very important disease because humans can get it from their dogs! There is now a vaccine to protect dogs from this bacteria so if his lifestyle allows exposure, protection can be obtained. Ask one of our staff if you think your dog may be at risk.

Also known as "beaver fever" this parasite can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea in infected dogs (and humans). The organism enters the bodies by mouth and very quickly spreads to the large intestines. There, it multiplies in the cells of the lining and can cause a very serious problem. Although episodes of giardia infection can be treated, your lawn and swampy areas can still have the organism. Re-infections and long term low grade infections are common. Recent research indicates that allergies and chronic diarrhea can be related to long term infections with Giardia. Vaccination is often the only way to prevent recurrent infections with this parasite.

The conclusion from my study of vaccines and other preventive measures is that a thorough examination and a systematic assessment is imperative for each individual patient. Not only can the appropriate individual needs be determined, but yearly examinations allow early diagnosis and perhaps prevention of many other diseases. Everyone - pet or person - should see their doctor for a full physical exam at least once a year.

A reminder that we desire the best for your pets, even after hours. Often the emergencies we see after hours have started many days before. Please do not hesitate to call us the moment that you suspect that something is not quite right with your pet. We may be able to prevent a small problem from becoming a larger one! Dogs and cats often hide their minor illnesses so that by the time they show any kind of illness they are usually quite ill. W commit to you our regular clients and your pets that we will always have a "vet on call." When you call after hours, you will be forwarded to our pager so we can be available to see your pet whenever a problem occurs. Since our support staff are not also on call, you may be asked to assist us in the treatment to ensure that the emergency care is given quickly. For pets needing Intensive Care treatment after hours, we have an ongoing relationship with the Brant Norfolk Veterinary Clinic.

ARMing against Heartworm - As always, Brantford and the surrounding area remain a hotspot for heartworm disease. Last year there were 19 cases in the area veterinary clinics while the whole KW region did not have a single case! We recommend that all dogs in our geographical area be ARMed against heartworm!

Annual Blood Testing starting in May detects new infections as soon as possible to prevent any permanent damage to the heart. Even with the best preventions in previous years, there are always some new infections. (When would you like to know that you had heart disease? ) Repelling mosquitos stops the infection before it starts. Safe repellants include some of the products that are effective for humans (Skin So Soft, Off, etc.) as well as a veterinary product (Defend) which can be applied to the skin surface once a month. Medication can protect your dog by stopping the baby worm before it migrates to your dog's heart and matures. In addition to the monthly pills (Interceptor, Sentinel, Heartgard) and topical treatments (Revolution), there is a new injection called ProHeart that can give protection for the whole season long.