Certainly. Preventive care is a broad and vital subject. It includes vaccines and prevention against parasites, which are the basic services we provide at Carolina Valley Pet Care. The vaccines prevent diseases like rabies, distemper parvo, leptospirosis, flu, and bordetella in dogs, and distemper, rabies, and leukemia in cats. These are debilitating, and in some cases, life-threatening diseases that can be easily prevented with a proper vaccine program.

Apart from vaccines, we also need to consider issues with heartworms, fleas, and intestinal parasites in both dogs and cats. However, I believe one of the most important preventive measures is proper nutrition. Every time you feed your pet, you are making a biochemical change in their body which can impact them significantly over time.

It depends on what age the vaccines are started for your puppy. Ideally, puppies should start getting vaccines at six weeks of age, but often we see them at different ages. They need to get vaccines up to the point where they're 16 weeks of age. If a puppy is older than 16 weeks, they just need one vaccine, depending on what we're vaccinating against. If we see them before they're 16 weeks of age, then for the distemper parvo, yes, they will need to get a booster. And for leptospirosis, they need a booster regardless of any age. It really depends on the vaccine and the age at which we start.

Titer testing measures the body's response to vaccines. For instance, if a dog is given a rabies vaccine and is going to be traveling overseas, they would have to get a vaccine titer. The titer tests the body's response. However, there is a limitation with titers. They only indicate that your body has responded to the vaccine, not if your body remains protected against the disease you vaccinated against.

Yes, it is safe. Vaccines stimulate the body's immune system. There is no evidence that administering vaccines individually for dogs is any more beneficial than giving them simultaneously.

There are around four or five different vaccines, including three core vaccines for dogs. The frequency of vaccination is based on your dog's lifestyle and varies depending on the vaccine, as each has a different schedule. Once your dog has received its initial vaccines, it's typically about a year before it needs any more. The type of vaccines administered will determine how often they are needed.

Yowling could be a part of your cat's personality, but it can also indicate other issues like cognitive dysfunction, vision problems, or disease processes like hyperthyroidism which can increase vocalization. It's crucial to have them evaluated to determine what is normal behavior and what is not.

Good quality of life is about knowing your cat and their behaviors. If they stop doing things they normally enjoy, like watching birds from the window or climbing their cat tree, it's something to pay attention to. Cats with a poor quality of life may retreat, become less interactive, or hide. This is individually tailored to your pet and should be discussed with your vet.

We strongly recommend keeping your pets vaccinated or at least ensuring that their antibodies are at protective levels. Age is not a disease, but with aging comes an increased risk of disease. Vaccinations can protect against severe life-threatening diseases. We use the safest vaccines and offer vaccine titers. If your pet has been regularly vaccinated, you can check their titers to see if they still have the necessary protective levels of antibodies.

Cats display pain in many different ways. It's not always obvious, but signs can include licking an area excessively, limping, or changes in behavior. Cats may not vocalize pain, especially with chronic or slowly developing conditions like arthritis. If they struggle to use the litter box or choose different areas in the house, or their mood changes, these could indicate pain. A physical exam and palpating the areas of the body is usually the best way to tell.

I recommend making sure your cat has a comfortable place to rest. This could be a covered area or a place up high, but it should have a cushion for their elbows and joints as they become more achy or bony with age. Preventing pressure sores is important, especially if they like to sit on hardwood floors or similar surfaces. Creating a pad, like a yoga mat, can be helpful. Additionally, ensure the litter box is easy for them to access. Arthritis can make it difficult for them to get into it, so a shorter entryway can help. Place these areas conveniently so they have choice. Having freedom of choice is crucial for their welfare. If they struggle to move around, place these areas closer together and away from the busiest part of the house, allowing them to remove themselves from activity if they choose.