•Annual Exam

•Vaccinations

•Oral Health for Your Pet

•Understanding Signs of Dehydration

•Important Facts About Rabies

•Life Quality Guidance

•Herbal Dosing Guidelines for Small Animal Patients

•Transitioning Your Cat to Raw Food

ANNUAL EXAM: The annual exam is one of the best ways to monitor your pet's health and catch problems before they become major health concerns. It's easy to schedule the exam the same time as your vaccine boosters.

VACCINES: Vaccines are the first line of defense against many of the deadly diseases that can affect your pet and, in some cases, people, too. Getting your pet on a proper schedule for its shots is essential and we will send out reminders to assist you in this. The most common vaccines that we administer to dogs are: rabies, distemper/parvovirus, bordatella, and lyme.
For the cats, we vaccinate for rabies, feline-viral-rhinotracheitis- calicivirus-panleukopenia (FVRCP), and sometimes for feline leukemia. We do not like to over-vaccinate, however, as we agree with Dr. Jean Dodd's research about the problems associated with it. We recommend that your pets be vaccinated for the initial three doses of distemper/parvo (dogs) or the FVRCP (cats) and then receive a booster in one year. After that we recommend that your animal have a titer drawn to check for adequate levels of the vaccine rather than continue with perhaps an overuse of the vaccine.

ORAL HEALTH: Periodontal disease is one of the most common diseases in dogs and cats. About 85% of dogs and cats have some form of it and are vulnerable to the pain, bad breath and tooth loss that could follow. Chronic infections can spread to the heart, liver, lungs and kidneys where they can do even more damage. Although we are able to perform a dental cleaning for your pet, we prefer to prevent the disease. There are several options available to help prevent periodontal disease from occurring in your pet.
Brushing: The best way to prevent an accumulation of tartar, and resultant gingivitis, is to brush your animal's teeth daily. If you have not brushed your pet's teeth before, we have all the supplies and information that you need to start this process with your own pet. Please click here * more information NOTE: Please be advised that pet's teeth should not be brushed with human toothpaste as human toothpaste contains fluoride that can be harmful to your pet. We recommend CET toothpastes.
Oral rinse:The second best way to prevent tartar accumulation and dental problem in your pets is to add an oral rinse to their water. We recommend CET AquaDent.
Dental chews: The next best way to prevent tartar and gingivitis in your pets is to give them dental treats. We specifically recommend the CET Oral Hygiene Chews that are specifically formulated with an enzyme to help remove tartar and prevent its accumulation.

UNDERSTANDING SIGNS OF DEHYDRATION:The term “dehydration” is used frequently in conversations between the veterinarian and the pet or livestock owner or between owners. Dehydration is often a sequela or sign of a more serious condition, rather than it being the sole problem present. If the dehydration is not corrected, the patient has much more difficulty recovering from the underlying disease. Accurately recognizing the signs of dehydration is simple and important. Please click here* for more detailed description of dehydration and the process of rehydration.

IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT RABIESThe rabies virus represents a serious risk to people and their pets. There are hundreds of cases of rabies inpets each year in the United States alone (last year in Vermont there were 48 reported cases). All it takes to contact this deadly disease is exposure to an infected animal through a scratch, cut or bite. Fortunately, vaccination against rabies is simple and effective. Please click here* for more detailed information about rabies exposure, treatment and protection.

LIFE QUALITY FORM: Sometimes it is useful for owners to evaluate their pet's quality of life. Please click here to print out a form that helps you address your concerns.

HERBAL DOSING FOR SMALL ANIMAL PATIENTS:
1) Chinese herbal medications available through VIVA will generally be dosed to cats and dogs at the rate of 0.5 gram per 10- 20 pounds unless otherwise specified by Drs. Thompson or Bond
2) The herbals are available in capsule or powder form
3) If you choose to administer the capsules, the VIVA staff can help you with instruction on pill administration
4) If the medications need to mixed with a palatable food or treat in order for your pet to consume it, this will not negatively affect the medication's intended action
5) The herbal can be combined with such things as moist food, cream cheese, peanut butter, hamburger or bread, as well as commercial treats such as Pill Pockets
6) If your pet cannot or will not eat the herbal medication, doctors can instruct you on intrarectal suppository techniques

TRANSITIONING YOUR CAT TO RAW FOOD:VIVA offers you complete raw chicken recipes for the improved health of the carnivore that shares your home, your cat. We make a complete ground chicken recipe and freeze it in convenient small packages to assure freshness. It can take time and patience to help your feline adjust to a new diet, however. Click here for information gleaned from feline nutritional research by Lisa A. Pierson, DVM, helping us all to understand and improve.