Preventive Healthcare Flashcards
What is preventive healthcare?
- also known as prophylaxis
- is a branch of veterinary medicine that deals with the prevention of diseases through providing routine healthcare
What are the components of preventive healthcare?
- parasite control
- vaccination (core & non-core)
- well visits
- sterilisation
What are the aims of preventive healthcare programs (PHP)?
- to provide pet owner with timely advice for care throughout life span of animal
- to perform relevant tests and administer appropriate medication to prevent disease
- puppies should have a minimum of 3 visits in their first year of life
- adults should have semi-annual visits
At what age does a puppy/kitten have to go for its first visit and for what purpose?
- 6-8weeks old First puppy physical examination: - body weight - general observations about behaviour - physical examination to check all systems and vital signs are normal; check for congenital defects - check for external parasites Vaccination (1st C3) Parasite control - deworming (intestinal worms): every 2 weeks until 12 weeks old - heartworm preventatives - flea/tick preventatives Client education - all things about puppy rearing, from diet to training, to PHP schedule
At what age does a puppy/kitten have to go for its second visit and for what purpose?
- 10-12 weeks old
- Physical examination
- Vaccination (2nd C3)
- Parasite control
- Client education (checking on training, feeding, etc)
At what age does a puppy/kitten have to go for its third visit and for what purpose?
- 14-16 weeks old
- Physical examination
- Final Vaccination (3rd C#)
- Parasite control
- Client education (check in on training, feeding, etc)
At what age does a puppy/kittens usually go for its fourth visit and for what purpose?
- 5-6 months
- sterilisation
What are congenital defects?
- diseases that an animal is born with
- e.g. heart condition
- e.g. umbilical hernia: small hole remains at umbilical area
For adult dogs, what preventive measure should be carried out monthly?
- Flea and tick preventatives (frontline, interceptor)
- Oral heartworm preventatives (heartgard, advocate)
For adult dogs, what preventive measure should be carried out every three months?
- oral intestinal dewormers (drontal)
For adult dogs, what preventive measure should be carried out every 6 months?
- weight check
- physical examination
- blood tests (for older/sick patients)
For adult dogs, what preventive measure should be carried out once a year?
- weight check
- physical examination
- vaccinations
- dental prophylaxis
What is the purpose of the One Health initiative?
- aims to unite human and veterinary medicine with the collaboration of professionals from both industries
- promote knowledge sharing between industries
- recognises that the health of animals has an impact on human health (zoonotic diseases)
- proactive prophylaxis prevents illness in pets will prevent illnesses in humans
- what we do for our patients is intrinsically linked to our client’s wellbeing
What are the core vaccinations for dogs?
- canine distemper virus
- canine infectious hepatitis
- canine parvovirus
What are the non-core vaccinations for dogs?
- leptospirosis
- rabies (no rabies in SG)
- bordetella
State what each of the core vaccinations for dogs protects against.
- Canine distemper virus: serious disease that attacks the nervous, gastrointestinal and respiratory system
- Canine infectious hepatitis: causes an acute liver infection that can result in problems with coagulation and white blood cells
- Canine parvovirus: acute and severe bloody diarrhoea and vomiting
State what each of the non-core vaccinations for dogs protects against.
- Leptospirosis: bacterial infection that causes lethargy, muscle pain, and kidney failure (usually given as a combination with C3)
- Rabies: deadly disease that causes inflammation of the brain; exotic to SG (zoonotic)
- Bordetella (kennel cough): respiratory infection that causes a classical honking cough; can vary greatly in severity from a mild cough to severe respiratory distress
What are the core vaccinations for cats?
- Feline calicivirus
- Feline parvovirus
- Feline herpes virus
What are the non-core vaccinations for cats?
- Feline leukemia virus
- Feline immunodeficiency virus
- Feline chlamydiosis
State what each of the core vaccinations for cats protects against.
- Feline calicivirus: causes upper respiratory infections and oral disease; most will recover but can also be fatal
- Feline parvovirus: causes severe infection of the GI, immune and nervous system
- Feline herpes virus: often referred to as cat flu; causes upper respiratory disease
State what each of the non-core vaccinations for cats protects against.
- Feline leukemia virus: lifelong infection and weakens the immune system thus leading to illnesses that can be fatal
- Feline immunodeficiency virus: lifelong infection; often doesn’t display clinical signs; weakens the immune system leading to secondary illness and death
- Feline chlamydiosis: causes upper respiratory and eye infections (usually given in combination with F3)
What is the core vaccination schedule like for puppies and kittens?
- 3 vaccinations given 4 weeks apart
- usually given at:
- 6-8 weeks
- 10-12 weeks
- 14-16 weeks - booster at 1 year old
What is the core vaccination schedule like for vaccinated adults?
- 1-3 yearly (depends on manufacturer’s recommendations)
What is the core vaccination schedule like for unvaccinated adults or juveniles older than 12 weeks?
- 2 vaccinations given 2-4 weeks apart
What is rabbit calicivirus?
- also referred to as rabbit haemorrhagic disease
- very contagious and quickly fatal
- causes rabbits to become lethargic, and to bleed, or sudden death
- vaccination is a single inoculation at 10-12 weeks old, then an annual booster
