Preventative care wards off potential pathogens for pooches

Dear Dr. Forsythe: Why do my Bassett Hounds need so many things injected into them each year?  It’s like several vaccines and a dewormer and a fecal test.  I go to the doctor every year and I don’t get nearly so many things done to me, but I bet I’m exposed to much more than they are during the year.  Why so many tests and vaccines?
 
Dn, Sonoma.
 
Dear Dan: I imagine your dogs are exposed to many more pathogens every year than you are since they go barefoot all the time and root around sniffing every chance they get.  Coming into direct contact with wild animals on a daily basis opens our housepets up to a whole different world of germs.  Vaccine strategy and annual preventative care is based on several factors: your pet’s breed, life style, exposure risk, client belief systems and budget.  The goal is to offer the best medicine that is appropriate for your pet.  Educating you on why vaccines are necessary and incorporating you into the veterinary health decision-making process creates a true partnership between the veterinarian and the client with the pet benefitting from that bond.
Until you can teach those Bassetts to wash their paws a few times a day and shower frequently, I’d continue to give them good preventative care based on the questions you ask your vet.  Even well maintained hound dogs sniff out great smelling germs and parasites and respond very well to a well-governed preventative health strategy.
 
Dr. F
 Dear Dr. Forsythe: I’m writing because my ex-husband has gotten a new dog and keeps it at his house and won’t ever let the dog come visit the kids here – I have them half of the time. They miss their dad’s dog and want to see him everyday. I feel like he uses the puppy as a pawn and it isn’t fair because I can’t have pets where I live. Any suggestions about how to keep the kids focused through this new twist?
 
Didn’t expect the dog, Sonoma
 
Dear Didn’t Expect the Dog: You didn’t explain why your ex-husband got the dog in the first place; did he get the pet for the children? If so, it would have been good to make this decision with you first. If not, surprise pets are a real wrench in the divorce equation and can pull heartstrings in all the wrong directions. If your living situation doesn’t allow dogs, perhaps you could consider a cat or fish? But it is good to keep your ex-husband’s dog away from the place all together. A nosey landlord would not help things. A talk with the ex about doing what is best for the kids is surely in order. Not getting defensive and staying on topic and focusing on the interest of the kids is paramount. Pets have wonderful healing abilities- especially during family crisis, but only when they are brought into a family the right way.
 
Dr. F