At Malibu Veterinary Clinic we recommend vaccinating only when neccesary. Rather than automatically giving boosters, we give annual titers, or tests, to check the level of antibodies (disease fighting cells) in the blood to determine if boostering is necessary. Though we expect that immunity can be conferred for life, titers offer an added measure of security.
With puppies and kittens, the threat to the animal's health from nonvaccination is much greater than vaccination. The diseases are real, severe and common.
When it comes to worming, we feel that all puppies and kittens should be de-wormed as early as possible. But if your pet is at a very young age, we might decide to wait to ensure that your pet's internal organs are mature enough to handle treatment.
All puppies and kittens are tested, as early as possible, for intestinal parasites.
If you chose to get a pet from the Humane Society, or take in a stray, or in some other way inherit an older pet, it should be brought in for a full physical exam as soon as possible.
Dogs over six months should always be tested for heartworm.
malibu veterinarian
at Point Dume
310. 457. 6453