Yearly
 

How old are they?
Did they have puppy shots and one year boosters?

Even if they're on heartworm, they still have to check them once a year.

Cinnamon is 4 and Lily is 3. They have had all their shots right from the beginning - everything they were suppose to have, they got.

You only mentioned the heartworm - do all the others I listed still apply?

Fecals should be done 1-2 times yearly.
Some vets insist on heartworm testing every year even if the dog stays on the preventative. Some say every two years. Some say take them off for the winter and test every year. With Heartgard I think it is, if they are on it year-round with testing and get heartworms anyway, they will pay for the treatment. That said, I take Ellie off of her Interceptor for the winter. It really depends on your vet's protocol, but that sounds fine to me.

There are so many threads talking about vaccines, so you can use to search and find some good information. I don't think an adult dog (or any dog for that matter) needs the "C" Corona in that vaccine. I personally would do rabies on a different day maybe two weeks before or after the DHPP. Dogs are way over vaccinated and I highly doubt yours need any this year. Most of the core vaccines can last for years and years and probably a lifetime after one is given when the immune system is fully mature. You can do titers to check their antibody levels or follow the American Animal Hospital protocol as a compromise with your vet. This can be found online. The American Animal Hospital says that after a one year booster of distemper, parvo and hepatitis, you don't need to give them for three years. Although you would be taking some risk because it is underresearched, some people have decided that aftre a one-year booster of DHPP, they won't vaccinate for them at all anymore. Is Rabies required every year in IL? Some states require it only every three years.

I wouldnt worry about fecals as much, unless you see anything abnormal in their stools.....heartworm...YES!!!!! even though you give them the pill monthly, mosquitos are carries of the disease, and they still come in the house, so i would do that all the time! rabies, yes yes! and DHPP yess!!!!!!:D

Thanks sooooo much for your response!! I was just curious if all was necessary or were they "hungry"! Thanks again - have a good day ~ Kate

Crystal, I really appreciate the time you took to respond by giving me such great information!! To answer your question about IL requirements - I really don't know - I would have to look that up. I just always did what the vet said - thinking I'm doing what's best/required for my girls. I was just curious with all that - wondering if it was all necessary or were they "hungry"! Again - thanks for all the info. and taking the time out! Have a good day ~ Kate

I would not do rabies more than it is required. This vaccine can be very hard on small dogs.

Some vets are money hungry but all that is on the card you got is normal protocol for most vets. I wouldn't keep doing DHPP for no reason. Most vets are still in the old way of thinking...vaccinate whenever possible but the problem with that is they can and do cause side effects which could include cancer and autoimmune disease.

As far as fecals, I wouldn't be too worried about dogs getting worms that are inside most of the time but it is still possible and does happen. Some heartworm meds can control intestinal parasites but that is no guarantee that they work 100% of the time or against all types. It is a good idea to look at least once a year just to make sure that nothing is going on. As they get older (and even now if you really want to be cautious), they should have a urinalysis and blood panel at least once a year also.

After the initial puppy shots are completed, they should not get another Rabies shot for 3 years along with a Parvo shot. They should be Titer tested each year for the rest. This test should only cost between $20.00 and $50.00. I would say yes to having the stools checked once or twice a year depending on if the dog goes to dog parks often. Dogs should also have a yearly health check-up.

I only get my dog their shots every 3 years when they get their rabies. I do get a yearly exam though and a fecal exam. I also give heartworm 7 month a year depending on weather

I have a question about this.....my dad and I were talking about puppy shots, then the 1 year booster shot, and he and had a difference in opinion on what this means.

Does a 1 year booster (rabies and DHPP) mean that they have the shot 1 year after their last puppy shot/rabies shot?? Or does it mean when the dog turns 1 year old?

And Crystal, I know you're a proponent of "less is more", so do you think a 1 yr. booster shot is needed for both of those (DHPP and Rabies) or for only one of those?? I'm so glad to know more about titer tests so I can do that instead of over-vaccinating!

To the OP, here's a good link I found that has all the states Rabies laws listed:

http://www.zbirdbrain.com/VAX/RabiesLaws.pdf

(I found this awhile ago when I found out I needed to know what my state's law was!!)

Hope that helps you! It looks like "Triennially" is the requirement for IL...so only every 3 years!

Here's a question, why are they coming out with 3 year vaccines when 1 year vaccines last 3 years (or more)?? My vet said they make a 3 year Rabies vaccine, but it costs like 3 times as much as the regular one. AND, if a state requires it Triennially, are they talking about the 3 year Vaccine every three years, or the regular vaccine every 3 years??

DHPP - definitely
Fecal Exam - you don't HAVE to, but I myself personally would, just in case. Sometimes there could be something in their poo that you can't see and you would never know
Heartworm - it's always good to
Rabies - yes!