Sophie Bear's first year wellness exam

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I received a notice in the mail last week about Sophie's 1st annual wellness exam. I'm wondering what to expect. Is there anything in particular I should ask for?

About vaccinations, I've read a bit about the consequences of over vaccinating dogs. How crucial is it that I do all of the vaccinations? What is the name of that test that tells you if they are still immune?

Is there anything else I should be thinking about or preparing for?

[F, Calla & Luca]

Just make up a list of any questions you have. As for vaccinations only rabies is required. But many of them are important I think. You can get titers to see if Sophie is still immune to some things.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Thanks F. I actually don't have any questions. All my questions are answered here on DK! she's in good health except for her "IBS", which I suppose I could talk to the vet about getting a proper diagnosis.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's good to have a thorough physical exam once a year. Ask for the three year rabies vaccine. There is also a three year core vaccine for distemper, parvo, and hepatitis, or you can do blood titers for that. She'll probably also need a heartworm test. They usually want you to bring a stool specimen for a fecal, too.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Thanks karen.

[shelly]

WOW!  already?!  Tori used to get all the shots they offered... that's before I became a little more educated.  she doesn't roam outside without me, so I don't do the LEPTO anymore.  Be careful about which shots they do together... the last time Tori got the 3-year rabies shot and I believe distemper, she had such a BAD reaction - by the time we got home, her eyes were all swollen and she was vomiting and listless.  We brought her right back and the Vet gave her benedryl.  Make sure you stay at the vet for a little while to make sure she doesn't have any such reactions.  good luck!  You are a wonderful doodle mom!  I am sure you will do what's right by her!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

yep, she's one and three months! She's a big girl now! lol. Thanks, that's good advice!

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Luna has a lot of contact with other dogs (+ wild animal areas at the dog park), so we get her the optional vaccines too. She also has a tendency to want to play in awful looking mud puddles.

Our vet actually makes sure we space out vaccinations - I can't remember how they spread it, but I think Luna got 2 at one visit (rabies + something) then they asked us to come back a week later for the other (2?) as just a tech appointment. 

As for questions - it depends on how Sophie's general health has been.  Like F said, I'd just make up a little list of questions to ask.

Good luck! :D

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Thanks J. If you don't mind me asking, What vet clinic do you use?

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Greenboro vet clinic - we chose it because it's close to our house (it's near Hunt Club & Conroy), but cheaper than Alta Vista (super $$$) and has a smaller "family" feel to it.  The staff is pretty much all young people and so far they're very friendly and not overly pushy about selling things. 

Luna actually likes going to the vet, she just thinks it's "the place where I get cookies" since they lavish her with treats when she's getting shots.  She knows where the vet's treat drawer is on the exam table and tries to open it :p

One thing that some people may not like is they will usually take Luna to a back room to do procedures instead of doing it in the exam room.  She's always come back from that room wagging and happy, so I have no problems with it - she is really trusting/calm in general though.

[F, Calla & Luca]

My vets office give shots and things during the exam. They only take the dogs alone if they are just giving a shot.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

My Vet asks if I want blood work at each annual exam.  I always say yes.  It just makes me more comfortable to know that things are okay, and it provides a great baseline if they do get sick.

[F, Calla & Luca]

That's interesting. My two have never had any blood work to date.  think when they are older I will consider it but since they are, KOW, both healthy I will pass on it for now. Baselines are interesting for some things but blood levels have their own normal range. I don't know that the dogs' own baseline would tell much if the dog got sick. For instance, when Guinness gets pancreatitis some of his blood work must be very out of whack and that's all the vets need to know then. Some things, EKGs for example may show a long term "glitch", which might be helpful to know later on.