At PAWSitive Veterinary of New York, we offer a range of preventative and wellness services - including exams, vaccinations, intestinal parasite testing and control, heartworm testing and prevention, FeLV/FIV testing, microchipping, nutrition, and more. We can also treat your pet should they become sick from illness or injury. At this time, we do not see critical and/or emergency care, though there are several clinics we work with throughout the area that can provide these services if needed.

Wellness Exams

Preventative medicine is the key to keeping your pet happy and healthy. We believe that all pets should undergo a comprehensive wellness exam annually, which focuses on all body systems and helps us identify health conditions in your pet before they become difficult and expensive to treat. These exams enable us to create an overall picture of your pet's health status, combining aspects of your pet's at home routine and history with physical exam findings to create straightforward recommendations for your pet's continued wellbeing.

Rabies vaccination is required by law in NYC for all dogs and cats.

Vaccination

Many animal diseases can now be prevented through routine vaccination, protecting your pet from serious (and potentially life-threatening) illness. Not all pets need to be vaccinated for all of the diseases for which vaccines are currently available, and creating a personalized vaccination schedule with your veterinarian is an important aspect of your pet's wellness plan. Vaccination against Rabies is required by law in the New York City for all domestic pets, including dogs and cats. We also offer vaccine titers for those who prefer this to traditional vaccination programs. For more information about available vaccines, please see below.

Parasite Testing and Control (Heartworm, Intestinal Parasites, Fleas, Ticks)

When it comes to parasites, monthly prevention and control is the best way to protect your pet. Ask anyone who has had a flea infestation or treated a dog with heartworms, and they'll tell you it's not worth the risk! In addition to these preventative measures, we recommend routine yearly fecal tests to identify the common parasites that can be picked-up around our neighborhood - as well as regular heartworm testing for pets on heartworm prevention.

Nutrition

A healthy pet starts with what they eat! Food is one of the most important (and often overlooked) aspects of your pet's wellbeing, and skimping on good nutrition now can lead to problems later on in life. Make sure to talk with your veterinarian about the types of foods your pet eats each day, about the multitude of feeding options that are now available, and about the pros and cons of home-cooked or raw diets.

Microchipping

It is estimated that 1 in 3 pets go missing during their lifetime, and without proper ID, 90% never return home. A microchip the size of a grain of rice can be safely embedded under your pet's skin to provide permanent ID that can never be removed or become impossible to read. We register your pet's microchip with the National Pet Recovery Database, so that no matter what happens to your pet, they can always find you. In additional to pet registry, annual membership includes other comprehensive pet protection benefits. Click here to learn more about pet microchipping.


Information about Available Vaccines

Feline Distemper Combo (FVR-CP) protects against the following three diseases (aka 3-in-1 Feline Vaccine):
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR):
This is an extremely common upper respiratory infection in cats that is caused by the Feline Herpes Virus (FHV). Even if successfully treated, this virus lays dormant in your cat's system, leading to lifelong infection and relapses. Clinical signs include a runny nose, tearing, coughing, congestion, and difficulty breathing. Note that the Feline Herpes Virus is not related to any of the various herpes viruses that infect humans, with the word herpes indicating only the viral structure.
Feline Calicivirus (C):
Calici affects the feline upper respiratory system, and accounts for about 40% of all respiratory diseases in cats. Severity can vary, but mild to potentially fatal in some instances. Clinical signs include ulceration of the nose or mouth, blisters on the tongue, congestion and cough. Even if treated, affected cats can be clinically affected for life.
Feline Panleukopenia (P):
Panleuk (aka feline distemper) is a deadly virus that affects all body systems. Clinical signs include severe diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, anorexia and even sudden death. Vaccination against this illness is an important part of preventing your cat from contracting this widespread disease.
Feline Leukemia Vaccine (FeLV):
This vaccine protects against a viral disease that attacks feline white blood cells, decreasing a cat's immune system and leaving them vulnerable to secondary infection. Most feline leukemia positive cats die within three years of infection. Transmission is via prolonged contact with another infected cat. This vaccine is only recommended for cats that roam outdoors or live in a household with another FeLV positive cat.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV or Feline AIDS):
While not the same virus as that which causes AIDS/HIV in Humans, it does cause an AIDS-like syndrome in cats through severe immunosupression. It is estimated that 1 in 12 cats in North America are FIV positive. Some cats can live long, healthy lives well into their teens without succumbing to the disease. However, many eventually develop secondary infections that ultimately result in death. FIV is spread via direct blood contact, usually as a consequence of fighting with an infected cat. Like FeLV, this vaccine is only recommended for cats that roam outdoors or live in a household with another FIV positive cat.
Canine Distemper Combo (DA2PP or DHPP) protects against the following four diseases (aka 4-in-1):
Canine Distemper (D):
This often fatal viral disease is rarely seen anymore due to vigilant vaccination protocols. The virus causes multi-systemic disease attacking the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, the skin, and the central nervous system.
Canine Adenovirus (A2 or H):
This is the causative agent for infectious hepatitis, which causes severe liver damage and death.
Canine Parvovirus (P):
This deadly virus is widespread throughout the united states and is extremely contagious. It causes severe gastrointestinal disease while simultaneously attacking the immune system.
Parainfluenza (P):
Like human influenza virus, this virus attacks the respiratory system and is one of many causative agents for the respiratory syndrome known as kennel cough.
Leptospirosis (the L in DHLPP or DA2PPL):
Leptospirosis is a disease that is spread via urine from infected individuals. It is potentially zoonotic, meaning humans can become infected if their pet contracts the disease. This bacteria attacks the liver and kidneys, resulting in severe disease and often death. This vaccine is recommended for dogs that frequent city parks.
Bordetella:
Bordetella is a highly contagious bacteria that is one of the most common causes for kennel cough. If vaccinated, dogs that are exposed to this disease are much less likely to become clinically ill, and if they do will have a very mild cold. Unvaccinated dogs exposed to this bacteria get a severe respiratory infection that can lead to pneumonia and death. In NYC, the Bordetella vaccine is recommended every 6 months.