• We accept Debit, Visa, Mastercard, Discovery, American Express, and Care Credit; sorry but we do NOT accept personal checks

 

 

    • Payment is due at time of service

 

 

    • When calling to refill a prescription, please wait for our call to pick them up

 

 

    • We are not able to fill prescriptions from other hospitals, but able to fill prescription diets with a written script

 

 

    • While your pet is here, it is required that all dogs must be leashed and cats are required to be in their carrier




***Please note: During our regular office hours we are able to accommodate patients on an emergency or urgent care basis. We ask, however, that you call ahead (339 236 3652) because there is not always a doctor in the building.

 

 

The doctors and staff at South Hingham Veterinary Services (SHVS) are devoted to keeping your pets happy and healthy so they may live a long and active life. Heartworm prevention is an important part of keeping your pets healthy. In order to ensure that your pet remains healthy and their heartworm preventatives are administered safely, we have adopted the following guidelines for dispensing prescription heart worm preventatives:

 

 

Patients of SHVS that have a current (within the last year) negative heartworm test on file will be dispensed heartworm preventatives as long as they have been receiving it regularly. Patients who miss more than two consecutive doses of heartworm preventative will be allowed to purchase heartgard only and their pet will need to be retested for heartworm in 6 months to ensure that an active heartworm infection has not developed. Individuals looking to purchase heartworm preventatives at SHVS, but whose pets have not been seen at SHVS may purchase heartworm preventative if the following information can be obtained from their current/previous veterinarian. Documentation of a negative heartworm test within the last 12 months. If your pet is not a current patient of SHVS, proof of a negative heartworm test and a brief physical examination will be required to establish a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship prior to dispensing this prescription medication. Please understand that our goal is to keep your pets healthy. Heartworm preventative medications are prescription medications. As with all prescription medications, if they are administered to patients incorrectly they can potentially cause harm to your pet. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. We are here to help.

 

 

Thank you for your understanding,

 

Dr. Jennifer A. Johnson, Dr. Sarah E. McCarron, and the staff of SHVS

 

 

 

DHPP:    Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvoviris

 

 

 

    • Considered a core vaccine

 

 

    • Contagious and potentially deadly upper respiratory and gastrointestinal viruses

 

 

    • Given at 8, 12, and 16 weeks of age

 

 

    • Given at 1 year of age and then every three years thereafter



 

Rabies:    Considered a core vaccine and is required by law

 

 

 

    • A uniformly fatal virus spread through the bite or scratch of an infected animal

 

 

    • A zoonotic disease meaning it can be spread to humans

 

 

    • Given between the ages of 12 and 24 weeks

 

 

    • A second vaccine given within 9-12 months of the first is considered a 3 year vaccine

 

 

    • A rabies tag will be provided and dogs are required to wear

 

 

    • A rabies certificate will be provided and can be used to obtain a dog license



 

Kennel Cough: Administered to dogs who are considered at risk (Non-core)

 

 

 

    • A contagious upper respiratory tract infection that causes a cough and potentially pneumonia

 

 

    • One of the multiple contagious URI’s found in dogs

 

 

    • Provides protection against the most common URI but not all URI’s

 

 

    • Intranasal form given once starting at 8 weeks of age and then yearly

 

 

    • Injectable form given twice at 3-4 week intervals starting at 8 weeks of age then yearly

 

 

    • Dogs who are head shy, aggressive, or have narrow nostrils should receive the injection

 

 

    • Dogs may experience transient sneezing with the intranasal form which should not be mistaken for kennel cough.



 

Lyme Vaccine: Administered to dogs who are considered at risk (Non-core)

 

 

 

    • A very common tick-borne disease that causes fever, joint pain and swelling, and in rare cases kidney failure characterized by excess protein in the urine.

 

 

    • Two vaccines are given 3-5 weeks apart of age starting at 12 weeks of age and then yearly.

 

 

    • Leptospirosis Vaccine: Administered to dogs that are at risk (Non-core)

 

 

    • A bacterial infection dogs are exposed to by drinking fresh water other animals have urinated in (dogs, wildlife, rats, and livestock).

 

 

    • A zoonotic disease

 

 

    • Two vaccines are given 3-5 weeks apart starting at 12 weeks of age and then yearly.

 

 

    • This vaccine protects against the 4 most common serovars (forms) of Leptospirosis but not all.



 

Influenza: Only given if boarding at specific kennels that require this vaccine (Non-core)

 

 

 

    • A highly contagious potentially fatal respiratory tract infection

 

 

    • Two vaccines given 3-5 weeks apart starting at 12 weeks of age and then yearly



 

WHAT DOGS SHOULD GET WHAT VACCINES?

 

 

 

    1. All dogs are required by law to have an up-to-date Rabies vaccine

 

 

    1. All dogs should have the recommended series of DHPP vaccines

 

 

    1. If a dog is going to puppy classes, a boarding facility, a grooming facility, walks regularly with a large group of dogs, or goes to dog parks they should have the Kennel Cough vaccine.

 

 

    1. If a dog is going to walk in the woods, in long grass, in dog parks, travel to Cape Cod or the islands they should have the Lyme vaccine.

 

 

    1. If a dog is going to be in the woods, walk in dog parks, walk in the city, or drinks regularly from puddles it should have the Leptospirosis vaccine.



 

VACCINE REACTIONS:

 

 

 

    • Any breed of dog can have a vaccine reaction but the most common breeds are Pugs, Boston Terriers, and miniature dachshunds. If you own one of these breeds you may choose to skip certain non-core vaccines and give fewer vaccines per visit

 

 

Signs of a vaccine reaction include: pain at the vaccine site, extreme lethargy, hives, facial swelling, vomiting, and/or diarrhea

 

 

    • Please return to SHVS or go to the local emergency center if you believe your dog is having a vaccine reaction. Benedryl, steroids, and supportive care may be administered. Vaccine reactions should be reported to the manufacturer. Following a vaccine reaction a modified vaccine protocol will be determined