Regular preventative care is essential to promoting the long-term health and well-being of your pet. At The Drake Center, we recommend:
  • Annual fecal exam for screening of intestinal parasites
Many intestinal parasites can be detected with a microscopic examination of a small stool sample. An annual fecal exam allows for rapid diagnosis and treatment if parasites are present. Most dogs with parasites have normal stool.
  • Annual heartworm infection testing
Heartworms are parasites that live in a dog’s heart or pulmonary arteries. An annual blood test is recommended to ensure your pet is not infected.
  • Annual Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccine
This intra-nasal vaccine should be administered to puppies and boostered regularly in adult dogs. The vaccine may need to be given every six months for dogs that frequent boarding or daycare facilities.
  • Annual Leptospirosis vaccine
Annual boosters of the Leptospirosis vaccine will keep your dog immune to this re-emerging disease. Lepto is transmitted by wildlife, including rats, and can be fatal to dogs and humans.
  • Distemper vaccine every three years
This vaccine should initially be administered in a series to puppies at one year of age. Revaccination should occur every three years.
  • Parvovirus vaccine every three years
The canine parvovirus vaccine should initially be administered in a series to puppies prior at one year of age. Revaccination should occur every three years. Parvo is a severe and often fatal intestinal virus.
  • Rabies vaccine every three years
This vaccination is required by law in California for all dogs. Revaccination should occur every three years.
  • Regular blood work and urine screening tests
We recommend one blood panel and urine screening test on each pet before six months of age and then every one to two years as needed. We recommend annual labs for all dogs over eight years of age.
  • Monthly flea and internal parasite control
We recommend Sentinel for life. This will protect your dog against fleas, intestinal parasites and heartworms. Adulticide flea control may be used as needed. Tick control should also be used for pets that frequent hiking trails or other wooded areas.
  • Regular home dental care
Daily brushing is recommended for the health and maintenance of your dog’s teeth. In addition, a thorough COHAT dental cleaning is recommended for most pets by three to four years of age.