Vernal Express | 1979-12-20 | Page 41 | Pet Care Emphasized for Holiday Season

Pet care emphasized for holiday season By Chrih S. Onich. DV.M Getting a new pet for your family this holiday season can be an exciting and rewarding experience now and for many holiday seasons to come. To assure your pet a healthy and happy future you should consider a necessary series of vaccinations as well as a routine health check-up each year. With today's modern techniques several deadly diseases can be prevented by routine vaccinations. In dogs, vaccinate for distemper, lep-tospirosis, lep-tospirosis, hepatitis, kennel cough, parainfluenza, and rabies. In cats vaccinate vac-cinate for distemper, the upper respiratory viral infections from rhinotracheitis and caliciviruses and rabies. There are several different programs set-up by different veterinarians to establish an active immunity. Ideally a puppy should receive a "puppy shot", wormed, and general health check-up between 6-9 weeks of age. Two booster vaccinations would be given after this -one about 12 wetks old and one about 14-16 weeks. Alternatively, only one series of booster vaccinations would be given between 13-16 weeks. Kittens should also receive an initial exam at 6-9 weeks getting first "shots", worm pills and a health exam. At 12-14 weeks a second series of vaccinations should be given. These programs vary with individuals, ages and species. Contact Con-tact your veterinarian for your particular par-ticular case. A good vaccination and health program pro-gram for your new pet can assure protection pro-tection of your new family member from the most common deadly diseases in companion animals. Don't overlook their health needs this season. It you - have problems or questions regarding vaccinations or health problems call -your veterinarian.