Physical Exams
Examinations of your pet are recommended annually until 6-10 years of age, after which semiannual visits for your senior pet are recommended. Pets are given comprehensive physical examinations during visits for vaccinations. Vaccinations are administered as needed, based on your pet’s risk assessment. Ask us about special geriatric care, needs, nutrition, etc.
Vaccinations
Puppies and kittens should receive a series of immunizations starting at 6-8 weeks of age, followed by yearly boosters. Pets kept mainly indoors need vaccinations also. They may be more susceptible to infectious diseases due to the lack of outdoor exposure that produces natural immunity. Dogs are vaccinated for canine distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza and rabies. Cats are vaccinated for feline distemper, feline leukemia, rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, pneumonitis and rabies. Whenever your pet is to be exposed to a lot of other pets, such as training classes, boarding, grooming, or when traveling, we recommend additional vaccinations such as Kennel Cough, Corona Virus or Lyme disease for dogs.
Nutrition Counseling
We often prescribe special diets to help control certain health problems your pet may experience, such as heart, kidney, liver, and intestinal disease and obesity. We also have special low magnesium diets to help prevent Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease. Besides the doctors, there is a Certified Veterinary Nutritional Consultant on staff.
Heartworms in Dogs
Heartworms are carried by mosquitoes and are a major problem in most of the United States. We are fortunate in Wyoming not to have a major heartworm problem. However, that is changing with the influx of people moving to this area and the large number of tourists passing through. There have been several positive cases of heartworm in Cody. Yearly testing and prevention is highly recommended. If you are leaving the state for a vacation or if you are moving, please ask if your dog needs to be placed on a heartworm preventative. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.
Rattlesnake Vaccine
If your dog lives, works or plays where rattlesnakes live, you should consider vaccination with a rattlesnake vaccine. Rattlesnake venom can cause serious injury and even death. Rattlesnake vaccine is available at Lifetime Animal Hospital. The vaccine works extremely well at getting dogs to generate protective antibodies against rattlesnake venom. These protective antibodies start neutralizing the venom immediately. This means that vaccinated dogs experience less pain and have a reduced risk of permanent injury from rattlesnake bite.