Lacey vet, veterinarian in Lacey, WA

Routine Preventative Care

Examinations
Younger pets should have a full physical exam annually. Older pets should come for an exam once every six months, or sooner if a problem arises.

Vaccinations
Our vaccination protocol is customized to each pet's personal exposure and risk. We educate our clients about the various vaccinations available and then determine if the benefits of inoculation outweigh the risks. Routine vaccines for dogs include: Rabies, Distemper combo (distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus, hepatitis, and parainfluenza), Leptospirosis and Bordetella (Kennel Cough vaccine). Routine vaccines for cats include Rabies, Distemper combo (Panleukopenia, Calicivirus and Rhinotracheitis), and Feline Leukemia.

Deworming and Fecal Checks
Parasitic zoonoses are diseases caused by parasites that can be passed from animal to human, or human to animal. While we normally associate parasites, such as roundworms, tapeworms, and hookworms with cats and dogs, people can accidentally be infected with the same parasites. Regular deworming is the best way to prevent parasitic disease and the transmission of intestinal parasites from pets to people. It also prevents the shedding of parasite eggs, which contaminate yards or any place a pet defecates.

We recommend that you bring in a fresh stool sample from your pet, so we can have it tested for intestinal parasites. We also recommend that all puppies and kittens receive a course of pyrantel pamoate dewormer, as most puppies and kittens can become infected with roundworms while still in the womb!

Routine Bloodwork
All kittens should be tested for Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodefiency Virus (FIV). This is a simple, in-house blood test that takes just a few minutes. This test is also recommended for any adult cats with an unknown vaccination history or with no history of vaccinations.

We provide veterinary care for many military families. If your pet has come from, or is moving to, a part of the country in which heartworms are prevalent, we may recommend a heartworm test.

We also recommend comprehensive bloodwork annually for all pets over the age of seven.

Preventative Medications
We recommend that all dogs be on yearly prevention for heartworm, fleas, and ticks. We also recommend flea and tick prevention for cats. We sell a variety of preventatives and would be happy to help you determine which is best for your companion.