Hillsdale Veterinary Group is dedicated to providing the most up-to-date and cutting edge approach to preventative and therapeutic medicine. Healthcare recommendations have changed dramatically in the last few years and more progressive practices are now adopting vaccination guidelines based on the most recent scientific findings regarding vaccine immunity in dogs.

Please take a few minutes to review our vaccination recommendations; they are probably different than you are used to. Our focus entails concentrating on aspects of dog care that really matter: dentistry, proper nutrition wellness laboratory testing, skin care (including flea control), and appropriate vaccinations.
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RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ADULT DOGS

• Physical Exam
• Fecal Exam
• DA2P-P Booster (every 3 years)
• Bordatella Booster (every 3 to 12 months dependant on exposure)
• Rabies Booster (every 3 years)
• Dental Cleaning (as needed)
• Heartworm Testing

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR GERIATRIC DOGS

• Physical Exam
• Fecal Exam
• DA2P-P Booster (every 3 years)
• Bordatella Booster (at risk dogs only)
• Rabies Booster (every 3 years)
• Dental Cleaning (as needed)
• Heartworm Testing
• Geriatric Blood Testing
• Urinalysis and ERD

ANTIBODY TITERS

Titers measure the amount of antibody (which protects your dog against disease) circulating in the bloodstream. and allows us to determine whether your dog should be re-vaccinated earlier. There is clear evidence that the DA2P-P booster provides immunity in dogs for at least 3 years. We recommend testing a titer those years your dog will not be receiving a DA2P-P booster to ensure that it is adequately protected.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ANNUAL VISIT

Getting your dog vaccinated is not the only reason, or at least not the most important reason, for bringing it to the vet each year. Dogs with serious disease often appear “healthy”. Regularly scheduled checkups help us diagnose problems early, gives us the best shot at treatment and prevent more serious disease. Dental care, proper nutrition, appropriate diagnostic testing, and parasite control are all important things to review on a yearly basis also. We recommend yearly examinations in adult dogs up to the age of seven and examinations twice a year in older dogs.

HEALTH SCREENING IN OLDER DOGS

URINALYSIS and E.R.D.
A urinalysis should be performed yearly on all dogs after their 7th birthday. They’re cheap, quick and allow us to detect diabetes, kidney failure, and bladder infections. An E.R.D. detects the amount of albumin (protein) present in your dog’s urine. This helps us diagnose kidney disease earlier, informs us of its severity, and allows us to take a more proactive approach to treatment.

GERIATRIC BLOOD SCREEN
We also recommend yearly blood screening in dogs 7 years and older. This gives us the big picture of your dog’s overall health by monitoring liver enzymes, kidney parameters, electrolytes, blood sugar, muscle enzymes, red and white blood counts, as well as other important indices.