847-864-1700
Effective March 2022: ONE person may accompany their pet into the hospital for appointments with a doctor. Technician Appointments, Technician Drop offs, Cardiology Drop offs and ALL Food and Medication Pick ups may also be done in person, BUT Please call when you arrive to ensure that we can accommodate you in our lobby. We will continue to offer a Curbside option for all services. Masks are required at all times.

2016 Preventive Health Program for Dogs

Current Recommendations:

Annual Physical Examination and Health Consultation

Vaccinations

  • Rabies: Every 3 years for adult dogs
  • Distemper-Hepatitis-Parvo-Parainfluenza: Every 3 years for adult dogs
  • Bordetella (Kennel Cough): Required by dog parks, dog beaches, daycare and boarding facilities
    • (Requirements vary from yearly to every 6 months)
  • Leptospirosis: Yearly and recommended especially for the same group of dogs that get the Bordetella vaccination
  • Canine Influenza (there are 2 different versions of this…the most recent is the H3N2 strain and many years ago we saw H3N8) we have no solid recommendations at this time as we do not know whether an outbreak will occur and how effective the immunization is. Many kennels are requiring H3N2 currently and we advise you check with the kennel you use to see if it is needed. Initially 2 immunizations 2-3 weeks apart are required for protection and annual boosters.

Fecal Examination for Intestinal Parasites

(Required by dog parks, dog beaches and many daycare facilities) Recommended annually.

Heartworm Screening

Recommended annually.

Heartworm and Intestinal Parasite Prevention

Recommended for all dogs.

The following risk factors can help in choosing the best product and frequency of administration:

  • If your dog frequents dog parks, dog beaches, daycare and/or boarding facilities, there may be an increased risk of exposure to a wider variety of intestinal parasites
  • If you have young children, potential exposure to parasite eggs in dog feces in your yard (exists and some intestinal parasites of dogs can infect people)
  • If your dog has ever had whipworms
  • If you travel often with your dog to places outside your neighborhood

We recommend using the heartworm preventive Sentinel monthly all year round. If your dog does not fit the above risk factors, either Sentinel or HeartGard Plus seasonally (May/June to December) is adequate. Another option is the use of Trifexis. It is a heartworm, all major intestinal parasites and flea preventive medication that can be taken monthly. Visit www.trifexis.com  for more detailed information.

Fleas and Ticks

Ticks: Springtime (March, April, May, and June) and less frequently Fall (September-November) is when we see ticks and prevention with FrontLine Plus or Vectra3D applied to the skin monthly during these times is effective. A chewable orally administered medication called Bravecto can be used for both flea and tick prevention.  Visit www.mypet.com for more detailed information.

Fleas: Summer and Fall (June to November) until a hard freeze is when we see fleas and prevention with FrontLine Plus, Vectra 3D and Advantage applied to the skin monthly is effective.

To make it simple, FrontLine Plus or Vectra 3D monthly from March to November covers fleas and ticks in our area. Or one could give Bravecto in March, June, and September (every 3 months).