Preventive Veterinary Medicine: Vaccinations & Parasites

• Preventive veterinary medicine maintains animal health and prevents disease, improving animal quality of life by addressing health risks proactively.

Vaccination Protocols

• Vaccination protocols protect animals from infectious diseases.
• Core vaccines are recommended based on exposure risk, disease severity, and vaccine efficacy.
• Non-core vaccines depend on individual risk assessments, location, lifestyle, and exposure to other animals.
• Protocols vary by species, age, and health status.
• Proper vaccine storage and handling maintain efficacy.
• Understanding vaccine types (modified live, killed, recombinant) is important.
• Accurate vaccination documentation is vital for tracking and healthcare decisions.
• Considerations include maternal antibody interference and duration of immunity.
• Adverse reactions, such as allergic reactions, can occur but are rare.

Parasite Control

• Parasite control manages internal and external parasites affecting animal health.
• Internal parasites include heartworms, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, tapeworms, and coccidia.
• External parasites include fleas, ticks, mites, and lice.
• Fecal exams detect internal parasites.
• Blood tests detect heartworms and other blood-borne parasites.
• Skin scrapings diagnose mange mites and other skin parasites.
• Preventative medications are available in oral, topical, and injectable forms.
• Regular deworming schedules are essential, especially for young and high-risk animals.
• Environmental management, like cleaning kennels and pastures, reduces parasite transmission.
• Parasite resistance is a concern, mandating judicious antiparasitic use.
• Client education is important for preventative administration and recognizing parasitic infection signs.

Nutrition and Diet Management

• Proper nutrition affects growth, reproduction, immunity, and overall well-being.
• Balanced diets should include proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals.
• Nutritional requirements vary based on species, age, breed, activity level, and health status.
• Commercial pet foods meet specific nutritional needs.
• Reading pet food labels is important for informed choices.
• Body condition scoring assesses weight status.
• Obesity can lead to diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease.
• Dietary changes should be gradual to avoid gastrointestinal upset.
• Supplementation should be based on veterinary advice due to the potential harm of excessive nutrients.
• Water is essential and should always be available.
• Prescription diets are formulated for specific health conditions and should be used under veterinary guidance.

Disease Prevention Strategies

• Disease prevention reduces the risk of animals contracting diseases.
• Biosecurity protocols (quarantine, disinfection) prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
• Good hygiene practices, including cleaning and sanitation, are essential.
• Stress reduction is important, as stress weakens the immune system.
• Maintaining a healthy weight and providing regular exercise contribute to overall immune function.
• Regular veterinary check-ups facilitate early detection of health problems.
• Isolation of sick animals prevents spread of illness.
• Control of vectors reduces the risk of vector-borne diseases.
• Public education on zoonotic diseases protects animals and humans, aligning with the One Health Focus.
• Early intervention and treatment prevent complications and improve outcomes.

Health Screening and Diagnostics

• Health screening detects diseases or risk factors before clinical signs appear.
• Physical examinations are a basic screening tool.
• Blood tests (CBC, serum biochemistry) provide information about organ function and overall health.
• Urinalysis evaluates kidney function and detects urinary tract infections.
• Fecal examinations screen for intestinal parasites.
• Diagnostic imaging (radiographs, ultrasound) visualizes internal structures.
• Screening for specific diseases (heartworm in dogs, FeLV in cats) is important in endemic areas.
• Monitoring for genetic predispositions in specific breeds aids in early detection.
• Early disease detection allows for timely intervention and improved prognosis.
• Regular health screenings are especially important for geriatric animals.
• Client communication explains the purpose of health screenings and interprets the results.