Medical Center PC
Veterinary Medical Center
3767 E. Highland Road
Howell, MI 48843
(517) 548-6563
What's New!
VACCINATION UPDATE
DOGS: In 2006, the American Animal Hospital Canine Vaccine Task Force revised the guidelines regarding the use of vaccines in dogs. The new guidelines advocate an extended interval between adult revaccination under typical conditions in normal healthy adult dogs.
The revaccination interval was extended from 1 year to 3 years for the major canine viral diseases including, canine distemper virus, canine parvovirus, and canine adenovirus-2.
Vaccination for leptospirosis is recommended for most dogs and it remains an annual vaccine interval. For those dogs needing Bordetella (kennel cough) or Lyme disease vaccines, annual vaccination is recommended as well.
CATS: Changes in the recommendations set forth by the American Association for Feline Practitioners regarding vaccine protocol for cats has changed also. The benefits of vaccination outweigh the potential risks, however there has been some controversy regarding vaccination frequency.
The American Association of feline Practitioners now recommends that the feline distemper vaccine be administered every 3 years after the primary series has been administered.
The feline leukemia vaccine remains a yearly vaccine for those cats with potential exposure and no change has been recommended for rabies vaccination.
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TO ID or NOT TO ID
A permanent identification system that involves
the insertion of a computer chip just beneath your pet's skin is available at the clinic. The American Veterinary Medical Association endorses such electronic aids in reuniting pets with their owners. The microchip is implanted just under the skin by a simple injection similar to a routine vaccination. This technology links your information to your pet via a national registry. Most animal shelters today use scanning devices on animals presented to them in an attempt to locate their owners. Despite a recent report of microchips causing cancer, veterinary experts say there is no evidence that cancer is more of a problem in microchipped pets.
ANNUAL HEALTH SCREEN
Our veterinarians recommend that all dogs and cats have a comprehensive blood panel performed annually. This bloodwork can often help us identify medical conditions that may not be detectable with just a physical examination. The blood chemistries included in the annual health screen provide vital information regarding the function of major organs such as liver, kidney, and pancreas.
Just as in human medicine, early diagnosis is crucial in effective management of any disorder. Since animals age roughly 7 to 8 times faster than people,an annual health screen for pets is comparable to you having blood tests performed every 7 - 8 years!
RABIES ON THE RISE
This year, state health officials are discovering rabies in more animals than at any other time since the 1950s. Most cases involve bats. As of October 4, 2007 in Livingston county alone, 5 bats, 1 skunk, and 1 dog have tested positive for rabies. Health officials are unsure as to the cause of this rise in rabies numbers.
Rabies is an infectious viral disease that affects the nervous system of humans and other mammals. People and pets get rabies from the bite of an animal with rabies such as skunks, fox, coyotes, raccoons, or bats. Rabies is a fatal disease but in our pet populations it can be prevented with vaccination. If you or your pet is exposed and bitten by a wild animal or bat, please contact your local health department right away. REMEMBER TO KEEP YOUR PET UP-TO-DATE ON RABIES VACCINATIONS.
More rabies info. at: www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases
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