Wellness for Every Period of Your Pet's Life
At Caring Hands Animal Hospital in Arlington, VA, we emphasize the importance of preventative care and wellness checkups for all pets. By prioritizing preventative measures from puppy and kittenhood through adulthood and into their senior years, we aim to extend your pet's lifespan and enhance their health, proactively warding off diseases and detecting illnesses at their onset.
Tailored Medicine
Each pet receives a unique preventative care plan, with recommendations adjusted to their age, location, and lifestyle. At Caring Hands Animal Hospital, our veterinarians typically include a variety of essential elements in your pet's lifetime care plan.
Young puppies and kittens require veterinary visits at approximately 8, 12, and 16 weeks of age. These visits include thorough physical examinations, fecal testing and deworming for parasites, vaccinations, and the initiation of flea, tick, and heartworm prevention.
For detailed information on caring for puppies and kittens, please click here.
We recommend spaying or neutering dogs and cats around six months old to prevent pregnancy, help control pet overpopulation, and eliminate the risk of uterine and testicular cancers.
Adult pets, aged one to six years, should have annual wellness visits that include a thorough physical examination, fecal testing, vaccine boosters, and continued flea, tick, and heartworm prevention. Dental care will be discussed during each physical exam, and a dental cleaning may be recommended if tartar or gingivitis is observed. Click here for more information.
Senior Pets aged seven and above should receive veterinary check-ups twice annually, including physical examinations, fecal testing, vaccine boosters, consistent parasite prevention, and laboratory analysis (blood and urine) to monitor their health and screen for common age-related diseases. To find out more about our Senior Care please click here.
Parasite Prevention
To safeguard your pets, both indoor and outdoor, from fleas, ticks, and heartworms, the doctors and team at Caring Hands Animal Hospital recommend year-round preventative measures. For detailed information on parasites, please refer to the Companion Animal Parasite Council website. Our climate supports year-round flea and tick activity, and these parasites can be unknowingly introduced into your home on clothing and shoes. A topical or oral medication, such as Nexgard, Simparica, Bravecto, or other veterinarian-recommended products, can effectively repel fleas and ticks and prevent related diseases. Heartworms, carried by mosquitoes, pose a serious threat to dogs and cats, causing respiratory problems and potential fatalities.
Heartworm prevention is straightforward, involving monthly topical liquids or flavored chewable treats. Based on your pet’s specific requirements, Caring Hands may recommend Simparica Trio, Heartgard, Revolution, or other preventatives for continuous heartworm protection. For more information on heartworms, we advise visiting the American Heartworm Society. All mentioned preventatives can be purchased through our affordable online pharmacy.
Microchipping
We know how much pets mean to their families. That’s why microchipping is a crucial step in ensuring their safety. A microchip is a small, harmless device about the size of a grain of rice, inserted under your pet's skin. It contains a unique identification number that can be scanned by shelters, veterinarians, or animal control to reunite you with your pet if they are lost. Unlike collars, which can fall off or get damaged, the microchip stays with your pet for life, offering peace of mind.
Why You Should Microchip Your Pet:
- Permanent Identification: A microchip is a permanent form of identification that can't be lost, unlike collars or tags.
- Simple and Painless Procedure: The microchipping process is quick, safe, and does not require anesthesia, ensuring minimal discomfort.
- Lost Pet Recovery: If your pet is lost and brought to a shelter or clinic, they can be scanned for the microchip to quickly reunite you.
- Peace of Mind for You: Knowing your pet has a permanent ID gives you confidence, especially during travel or outdoor activities.
Vaccinations
To establish the most suitable vaccination plan for your pet's specific lifestyle, your veterinarian is the optimal source of guidance. Below, you'll find a list of vaccinations offered at Caring Hands Animal Hospital.
1. Rabies
Rabies is a deadly viral illness that is transmitted by wildlife and other mammals within our region. It is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans.
The disease is spread through the saliva of an infected animal, typically via a bite.
Vaccination is mandated by state laws in Virginia and Maryland for all dogs and cats.
Symptoms include:
- Fever
- Seizures
- Change in behavior (over excitability, shyness, aggression)
- Excessive salivation
- Paralysis
- Inability to swallow
The rabies vaccination is administered annually to cats and initially to dogs as a 1-year vaccine, followed by a 3-year interval for dogs.
2. Distemper (DHPP and FVRCP)
Distemper is a highly infectious viral disease with no known cure, and variants affect dogs, cats, ferrets, and certain wildlife.
Transmission occurs through both direct and indirect contact.
Symptoms include:
- Weight loss
- Lethargy
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Nasal discharge
Available vaccines offer combined protection against species-specific common viruses.
In dogs, the vaccine protects against intestinal viruses, including Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus.
In cats, the vaccine protects against upper respiratory viruses, including Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia.
These vaccines are commonly abbreviated as DHPP and FVRCP.
Distemper vaccines are administered in a series to puppies and kittens, annually to young adults, and every three years to older adults and seniors.
3. Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection spread through the urine of infected wildlife. Typically, it is transmitted through contaminated water sources, such as puddles, stagnant ponds, and slow-moving streams. Your veterinarian will discuss your pet's lifestyle to assess the risk of Leptospirosis exposure and determine if vaccination is recommended.
Commonly known as 'Lepto,' this disease can lead to kidney and liver failure. Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans.
Symptoms include:
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Decreased appetite
- Increased thirst
- Vomiting
- Unusual amounts of urine (larger or smaller)
- Muscle and joint pain
- Bleeding or brusing
The Lepto vaccine is administered as a two-dose series, followed by annual boosters for adult and senior dogs.
4. Lyme Vaccine
Lyme disease is a prevalent infectious disease transmitted by ticks to both humans and dogs. It is particularly common in the Northern Virginia region, and vaccination may be recommended based on your pet's lifestyle.
Ticks acquire the bacterial disease from wildlife and then transmit it to your pet during feeding. Transmission requires the tick to be attached for at least 48 hours. However, these ticks are often very small and difficult to detect, emphasizing the importance of both tick preventatives and vaccination.
Unlike humans, dogs generally do not develop the characteristic 'bulls-eye' rash. The absence of a visible sign of a tick bite, coupled with the fact that many dogs do not immediately (or ever) show Lyme disease symptoms, does not negate the presence of the disease.
If a pet tests positive for Lyme disease, antibiotics can be administered to reduce the bacterial load. Complete eradication of the bacteria is challenging, so even with antibiotic treatment, a low-level infection may persist.
Symptoms include:
- Pain
- Limping
- Lameness
- Inappetence
- Fever
Lyme vaccines are administered to puppies in a two-dose series, followed by annual boosters for adult and senior dogs.
5. Bordetella
Bordetella, commonly known as 'Kennel Cough,' is a highly infectious upper respiratory disease in dogs.
Transmission occurs easily through direct contact or airborne particles. Vaccination is recommended for all dogs that have social interactions with other dogs in their neighborhood, boarding and daycare facilities, dog parks, and grooming salons.
Puppies, young dogs, and those with weakened immune systems may experience severe symptoms if unvaccinated.
Symptoms include:
- A dry, hacking cough
- “Honking” cough
- Nasal discharge
- Decrease in appetite
- Lethargy
- Fever
The Bordetella vaccine can be administered via injection or intranasally (into the nose) and is given every 6-12 months. It is advisable to consult the specific facility where your pet will be staying to determine their vaccination requirements.
6. Canine Influenza
Canine Influenza emerged as a novel virus in 2012, originating from a mutated strain. Due to its new nature, dogs exposed to it were highly susceptible to infection.
A vaccine was developed to provide protection and is available when needed. It was determined that this strain is not transmissible to humans.
Symptoms include:
- Discharge from the nose or eyes
- Coughing (can be productive or non-productive)
- Labored breathing or increased rate
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Decrease in appetite
We recommend confirming with your pet's boarding, grooming, or daycare facilities regarding their Influenza vaccine requirements. Consult with your veterinarian to assess whether your pet's lifestyle warrants this vaccination.
The Influenza vaccine is administered as a two-dose series, followed by annual boosters for adult and senior dogs.
7. Feline Leukemia
Feline Leukemia, or FeLV, is a viral infection transmitted between cats through saliva, feces, and during nursing.
Kittens being nursed, outdoor or feral cats, and those in multi-cat environments are at increased risk. There is currently no cure for Feline Leukemia.
A blood test performed in-hospital can determine if a cat is infected with Feline Leukemia.
Symptoms include:
Although some cats show no symptoms at all, the common noticeable symptoms include
- Decrease in appetence
- Respiratory symptoms (coughing, sneezing, discharge from nose or eyes)
- Lethargy
- Fever
- Loss of weight
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
The leukemia vaccine is administered as a two-dose series to kittens and annually to adult and senior cats.