Bordetella Vaccine

Also known as “kennel cough,” the Bordetella bacteria causes inflammation of the trachea and results in severe coughing and gagging. Dogs that will be in contact with other dogs, such as in boarding or grooming situations, training classes, or even dog parks, may benefit from vaccination.  This vaccine can be given in puppies 8 weeks of age and older and it should be boostered every 6 months to one year depending on the dog’s situation. This is a non-core vaccine, but is recommended by UCAN for at risk dogs and it is required by most groomers, boarding facilities and dog parks.

Canine Influenza Vaccine

Canine influenza (dog flu) is a contagious respiratory disease in dogs caused by specific Type A influenza viruses known to infect dogs. There are two different influenza Type A dog flu viruses: one is H3N8 virus and the other is H3N2 virus. Signs of canine influenza are: cough, runny nose, fever, lethargy, eye discharge and decrease in appetite, but not all dogs show sign of illness. The severity of illness can range from no signs to severe illness, pneumonia and death. Most dogs recover in 2-3 weeks. Almost all dogs are susceptible to canine flu infection. Canine flu is thought to spread through respiratory droplets produced during coughing and sneezing from infected dogs, or through contact with contaminated surfaces. Canine influenza is not spread between dogs and people. Vaccines to protect dogs against both H3N8 and H3N2 canine flu are given as early as 8 weeks in healthy pets. The vaccine must be boostered in 3-4 weeks from the 1st date given, then annually.

Capstar (for fleas)

Flea Treatment Tablets given to dogs and cats if live fleas or flea dirt are seen during the exam. Capstar begins working within 30 minutes and will kill more than 90% of adult fleas within 4 hours on dogs and 6 hours on cats, and pets may temporarily scratch as a result of the fleas dying. Capstar is given so animals can go into surgery without transferring fleas to other pets. It is safe for animals 4 weeks of age and older that weigh 2 pounds or greater and for pregnant or nursing dogs and cats.

Dewormer (Roundworms, Hookworms, Whipworms)

Panacur (Fenbendazole) is a broad-spectrum dewormer used to eliminate the most common worms seen in dogs. It is always best to have a fecal sample checked to determine which parasites your pet may have. Several of these worms are considered ZOONOTIC, meaning they can be transmitted to people. If you feel your dog may need a dewormer, this is the medication that UCAN recommends for dogs.

DA2PP 1 YR: Canine Distemper/ Parvo Vaccine protects against Canine Distemper, Adenovirus Type 2, Parainfluenza and Parvovirus.

Symptoms of Distemper can include mild respiratory problems, such as runny eyes and nose, severe diarrhea, vomiting, and even seizures. Distemper can be passed between animals by air or contaminated objects.

Adenovirus type 2 usually causes respiratory symptoms and is contagious much like a cold.  It can cause a cough that can sometimes lead to pneumonia.

Parainfluenza symptoms are much like a cold and include coughing, sneezing, fever and ocular and nasal discharge. This virus is not the same thing as canine influenza.

Canine parvovirus causes severe vomiting and diarrhea as well as lethargy and high fever. There is a high rate of death associated with this virus. The feces in many dogs will be loose or watery with slight amounts to large quantities of blood.  This virus is easily spread through feces and it can live in the environment for years.

This combination vaccine should be started in puppies 8 weeks of age and boostered every 3-4 weeks until the puppy is 16 weeks old. This vaccine should be re-administered annually. Adult dogs that have never received this vaccination, or the vaccine history is unknown, should receive a booster 3-4 weeks after the first vaccination is given. This is considered a core vaccine and is recommended by UCAN for all dogs.

Elizabethan Collar (e-collar): A plastic cone that is tied with gauze around the pet’s neck after surgery to prevent the pet from licking the incision. The gauze should be tight enough that the cone does not come off, but loose enough to fit two fingers under it.

We strongly recommend e-collars for dogs because they tend to lick their incisions (particularly male dogs) and licking the incision can cause an infection to occur. Cats generally leave the incision alone, but some do lick, so you may purchase an e-collar as a precaution if you desire.

The cone should be worn during the 7-10 day recovery period. Pets can eat and drink with their cone on.

Owners should continually check the incision during the recovery period to make sure there are no issues with the surgical site (redness, significant swelling, moisture or discharge). If you see any issues, please call our emergency number (513-787-8746) immediately so we can address them appropriately with antibiotics, an e-collar, pain medications, staples, etc.

This medication treats and prevents fleas, ticks, and some species of lice. It is applied topically and should be repeated every thirty days. UCAN recommends the use of flea prevention for all dogs 8 weeks of age and older.

Heartworm Testing and Prevention

Heartworm disease is caused by a parasitic roundworm that is transmitted from an infected dog to another dog (or rarely a cat) through the bite of an infected mosquito. The heartworm infects the heart of its host, specifically the right side of the heart and the blood vessels connecting the heart to the lungs. Heartworms can grow up to 12 inches long and can lead to severe problems with the heart, lungs, liver and kidneys and may result in death.

We offer a blood test for heartworm disease in dogs. Dogs should be tested annually for heartworms. Puppies under 7 months of age can be started on heartworm prevention without a test because it takes at least 7 months after infection through the bite of the mosquito for the blood test to show a positive result. For pets over 7 months of age, they must have a negative heartworm test result before we can provide one year of monthly heartworm prevention. Thereafter, another test is required before another year of prevention can be given.

Heartworm treatment is expensive and heartworms can lead to death in dogs, so we recommend year-round heartworm prevention in dogs. We currently sell the preventative in packages of 6 month doses and the cost is based upon the weight of the dog.

Heartworm/Flea Prevention

Revolt or Parasedge are prescription topical solutions recommended to be given monthly to protect your dog against heartworms, fleas, ear mites, American dog ticks, and sarcoptic mange.

Leptospirosis Vaccine

Disease caused by infection with leptospira bacteria. Signs of Leptospirosis in dogs vary, including fever, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite or lethargy, and some infected dogs may not show any signs of illness. These bacteria spread through infected urine, urine-contaminated soil and water and ingestion of infected tissue/carcasses and can be spread from animals to people. Vaccine can be given at 12 weeks of age and must be boostered once in 3-4 weeks, then yearly thereafter. This is a non-core vaccine, but is recommended by UCAN for at-risk dogs (pets exposed to wildlife).

Lyme Vaccine

The Lyme vaccine helps to prevent Lyme disease in dogs, a bacterial infection that’s transmitted by blacklegged (aka deer or Ixodes) ticks that tend to live in woods and tall grasses in many parts of the country. An initial vaccine can be given as early as 8 weeks of age. After the initial vaccine, a booster vaccine must be given 3 – 4 weeks later. The dog is considered protected against Lyme disease 4 weeks after receiving the second Lyme vaccination. For long-term protection, the Lyme vaccine must be repeated once annually for the remainder of your dog’s life.

A microchip is a permanent method of electronic identification. The chip is very small, about the size of a grain of rice, and is implanted beneath the skin between the shoulders (quick and easy, just like getting a vaccine). The chip contains a unique number. When a pet is lost and scanned by a shelter or vet, the number is used to find the owner's contact information in a registry. We register the microchip for you, then you can manage it yourself on-line to make address or phone number changes. It is very important that you always update your microchip registration when you move or change phone numbers.

Many pet owners believe collars, electric fences and fenced-in yards are all they need to keep their dogs safe at home. But, that is not always the case.

A microchip is a safeguard so that if your pet does get away and is found and scanned, they can find their way back to you. We sell Found Animals microchips, which come with a lifetime registration. After your pet gets a microchip, you will receive a welcome e-mail from Found Animals at the e-mail address you provided, with instructions on how to update their information. If you do not have an email, you should report any phone or address changes to us.

A virus that attacks the nervous system and is spread through saliva. Primarily a disease of wild animals, but humans can get rabies when bitten by an infected animal. A vaccine is required by law in many states. Hamilton County law requires that any pet that is 3 months of age or older must have a current rabies vaccine. We require proof of a current rabies before surgery, wellness visits or at our vaccine clinic. If the client does not have a current rabies vaccine or adequate proof of one, we require they get a 1-year vaccine from UCAN.

After a pet has had a 1-year rabies vaccine and the owner submits proper proof of that vaccine, the pet can thereafter get 3-year rabies vaccines.

Tapeworms: A common parasite of dogs and cats that is most commonly contracted by ingesting fleas. They are not directly transmitted from one pet to another. Signs of tapeworm infection are small white or brown sesame seed or piece of rice segments under the tail, on the bedding or in the litter box. We treat tapeworms with an injection of Praziquantel. If you want to know for sure if your pet has tapeworms before purchasing the treatment, you should have a fecal sample tested through a wellness appointment at UCAN or at a full-service vet clinic.