Cold Spring vet, veterinarian in Cold Spring, MN

Routine Preventative Care

Examinations
Younger pets should have a full physical exam annually. Older pets should come for an exam once every six months and 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 they are needed. Routine vaccines for dogs include: Rabies, Distemper combo (distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus, hepatitis, and parainfluenza), and optional vaccines are Leptospirosis, Lyme, and Bordetella (Kennel Cough vaccine). Routine vaccines for cats include Rabies, Distemper combo (Panleukopenia, Calici, and Rhinotracheitis), and Leukemia is optional.

Deworming and Fecal Checks
Parasitic zoonoses are diseases caused by parasites. 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 a fecal check for parasite eggs at least once annually. Puppies, kittens, and pets that test positive for internal parasites may require several rounds of deworming.

Routine Bloodwork
All kittens should be tested for Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodefiency Virus (FIV).

Heartworm, Lyme and other tick borne diseases are prevalent in Minnesota. For this reason all dogs should be tested on a routine basis for the presence of Heartworm, Lyme, Anaplasmosis and Erhlichia infections.

We also recommend comprehensive bloodwork annually for all geriatric pets.

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.