We are excited to announce we do direct billing for Trupanion-insured pets!

We know that preventing a disease, or treating a condition before it becomes a problem, will dramatically improve the quality and length of your pet’s life. Examples of preventative medicine include vaccination, flea and tick control, nutrition and dental care.

Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

Preventative Medicine

Vaccines: Why are they so important?

Prevention is key! Most of the diseases we vaccinate against are contagious and cannot be cured. It is much better for your pet and more cost effective to vaccinate regularly than to treat an easily preventable disease. Boarding facilities and groomers often require pets to be up to date on their vaccinations. Viruses such as bordetella are airborne and therefore, are highly contagious. The rabies virus is transmitted by an exchange of bodily fluid, . Animals like foxes, muskrats and bats can carry the rabies virus. Rabies is deadly, and is a zoonotic disease, which means it can be transmitted to people. Parvovirus is transmitted through excrement; the virus can live in an environment for years and is very difficult to eradicate. Lepto virus ( also a serious zoonotic disease)  is passed through exposure to urine of infected animals ( rats, skunks, raccoons, deer ) and can survive in the environment for long periods of time.. 

What vaccines are recommended ?

We offer several types of vaccines for dogs and cats, and some need to be given yearly, others only every 3 years.  Your pet’s lifestyle will help us determine the type and frequency of the vaccinations. Some vaccines are considered “core”, which means that every pet should get them, regardless of age or lifestyle. 

CATS:

Core vaccines: FVRCP (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia)

Additional vaccine (for outdoor or multi-cat household):  FeLV (feline leukemia)

DOGS:

Core vaccines: rabies, distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, parainfluenza

Additional vaccines: bordetella ( kennel cough), leptosporosis , lyme

Note: We recommend Bordetella and Leptospirosis vaccine for all dogs in the lower mainland due to prevalence of risk. 

How often do you need to vaccinate?

Your pet’s age and lifestyle will help us determine the frequency of the vaccinations. Puppies and kittens need 3 sets of vaccines, 1 month apart, starting at 6-8 weeks of age. Adult dogs and cats need core vaccines every 3 years, once they have reached adulthood.  Additional vaccines ( FeLV, Lepto, Bordetella) are required yearly to maintain  sufficient immunity.

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What dog loves going to the vet? Ours!  They are so excited to see Dr. Buxton that they will let her do any procedure without fuss: Her care and affection for them is obvious.

Dr. Buxton never tells us what we must do for our dogs but provides information, conveys what she would do and why, and then respects our decision.  This consultative approach extends to their diet and given we have a picky eater with allergies, it has been extremely helpful.  Not only do the pups love her, but so do we. “

- Lisa W.

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