Dog yearly exam, vaccinations, and vet prices

Family, Education, Health and Pets
1
Ok, I used the search function and only found two some-what related posts. So, any information is appreciated

My dogs need to have their yearly exams done, and this is usually what it entails :

yearly physical exam, fecal exam, heartworm & lyme tests, distemper vaccine, bordatella vaccine, leptospirosis vaccine, and rabies vaccine.

Are all these necessary/required for Switzerland as well ? I've heard before that heartworms are not a problem here, and dogs don't need heartworm medicine ??

The two posts I found said that vaccinations run 50-80CHF. Does anyone know if that is per vaccination ?

I'm just trying to figure out approximately how much this will all cost. (the vet visit, the vaccinations, and the tests).

Also, is it possible to go into the vet's office here and just buy flea medicine, and heartworm medicine, or does one need to make an appointment to buy these ?

Thanks so much !

2
If your animal is registered with the vet and has been seen by him before, you can often buy things at the counter without seeing the vet. But they will rarely do this for non clients - for safety (and for financial ... I'm sure.. reasons). Much better for you to discuss the requirements with your local vet- that way in an emergency they (and vice-versa) already know you and your pet. Our vet is in nearby FRance as it is quite a bit cheaper and she is really on the same wave length as us.

3
Ok, great. That's good to know.

That's how my vet back home was. As long as you were an established patient, and all you needed was flea medicine/heartworm medicine you could buy it at the reception desk.

Thanks !

4
Why not give a clearer indication of your location, like nearest town - and perhaps somebody will come up with a recommendation.

5
Just had the Belltie vac'd last month...

The 'big' combi, including nasal Kennel cough (He's on a multi-year, variable schedule): 106

Rabies, 3 year: 68.

It's been three plus years since I had a heartworm test done - I think it was in the neighborhood of CHF 100. I can't remember if that included the consult, or not. I do not have my guys on preventatives as it is not needed in my area, and I avoid any area at risk because one of mine is MDR1-/-.

If you live in, or travel to, a heartworm-prone area clarify with your vet as to prevention. One should always do the test prior to starting prevention, as if heartworm is present the stadard preventative can be dangerous to some dogs.

Also you might want to clarify which heartworm is under discussion. Those of us from the US are familiar with Dirofilaria immitis, but sometimes in Europe Angiostrongylus vasorum is also called heartworm or more commonly, French heartworm. The two are quite different - and the risk areas differ as well.

I used to have regular stool analysis done - this was about 5 years ago - and IIRC, the lab cost was about CHF 30 or 50.

Added to these costs there might be a consultation fee - this likely varies quite a bit. I'd figure between 50 and 100 for the consult.

RE: Lyme: I only test for tick-born diseases when symptoms indicate there might be a problem. Hooligan had the Lyme Borreliosis and FSME tests 2.5 years ago, ca 300, maybe 400 for that episode - but again, that probably includes the consult and motor and neural exam fees. The reason I don't do regular testing is that the presesence of antibodies does not necessarily indicate active disease present. This is a subject you should discuss with your vet.

6
Thank you meloncollie !

This has eased my mind a bit about the cost of the vaccines. I guess the heart worm test is on the high side though because it's less common here, and yes I was referring to the US heart worm ( I did not know there was more than one kind ).

7
Hi again everyone !

Well, just wanted to give an update on how the vet visit went and the cost.

I ended up going to the same vet who did the ANIS paperwork for us when we first got here. Everything went really well. I did not need to get the rabies shot (since the dogs have a 3-year already), but I did get all the other shots.

I thought two things were interesting 1.) That they give the dogs a hepatitis vaccine. I don't think I ever got this for them in the US 2.) All the vaccines are in one syringe !?

So this is everything they had done...

yearly physical exam

vaccinated for Distemper, Hepatitis (hcc), Parvo virus, Leptospirosis, Kennel Cough

Medicine for yearly de-worming/heartworm/internal parasites

International certificate of vaccination ( blue booklet that is basically a record of the shots given/when/maker of vaccine etc. )

Total = 157CHF ( for 2 dogs)

I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised at the total, because I would normally pay more than this (and yes I did the CHF-USD conversion...it's still a lot less, lol ).

I used to live in Florida, though, mosquito capital of the world !! So, if I was getting the vaccinations in Florida I would have had to get extra things done at the vet like heartworm tests and medicine etc. which adds on to the price of everything .

Also, wanted to let you know about the worm/parasite medicine my dogs were given. I talked to the vet about heartworms and such.

As you may or may not know Ivermectin is the main ingredient in heartworm medicine (i.e. Heartgaurd). The Vet said that the medicine he was giving for the worms/parasites has a drug similar to Ivermectin in it.

The drug is called Milbemycin oxime (trade name is Interceptor, marketed by Novartis) and is a Breitspektrum Anthelminthikum ( broad spectrum anthelmintic = this means it kills worms), and it says on the package in German Herzwurmprophylaxe (heartworm prevention). In Switzerland, this medicine is given twice a year.

The Vet also said he could give the dogs medicine that would do the same thing that did NOT contain Ivermectin or Ivermectin related drug, if I prefered or if the dogs were allergic to Ivermectin.

Hope this info. helps others

8
TLC, had you ever used Interceptor back in the States?

I'm curious because I'll be moving back to the US with my MDR1-/- sheltie; and am looking into heartworm preventative alternatives.

While here in Switzerland (SZ) there has been no need to use a preventative as the risk of heartworm is so low - especially when compared to the drug sensitivity risk to an MDR1-/- dog. It's only when traveling south of the alps or to southern France, Italy, etc. that I'd consider using a preventative with my guys.

(My concern isn't an allergy to Ivermectin, rather that my Belltie has a genetic defect where the dog produces a non-functioning form of p-glycoprotein, meaning that the system that transports drugs across the blood/brain barrier is compromised. The defect makes not only the Ivermectin family but also a whole laundry list of drugs either problematic or possibly toxic to such dogs.)

Interceptor was the product usually recommended for MDR1-/- dogs in the US, but if what I've read trolling through t'interwebs is true, the US plant that manufactured the drug has been shut down and supplies (in the US) are limited.

If it's still difficult to get Interceptor in the US, I just might need to bring a supply from here...

9
I've seen it in two pharmacies now.....Frontline! For all fog sizes, small to big. Found it at on Bhfstrasse in Zurich which is great for me as my vet is only accessible by car and not that easy to get to.

So seems you don't need to go back to the vet to get flea and tick treatment.

10

Which pharmacy's carry it ?

While I was at the vet I noticed a guy came in and bought some Frontline at the reception desk. So, I guess you can buy it with out an appointment

11
No, I didn't. I always used medicine with Ivermectin.

Also, I made a mistake b/c I thought that Milbemax and Interceptor were the same drug. Apparently Milbemax and Interceptor are two different drugs. They are listed as two different drugs on the Novartis website, however, both contain Milbemycin oxime (the ingredient to prevent heart worms). My dogs got Milbemax ( it also kills other internal parasites).

http://www.ah.novartis.com/products/...ptor_dog.shtml

http://www.ah.novartis.com/products/...emax_dog.shtml

Portions of the plant are still temporarily closed down, but Novartis has resumed shipping of Interceptor and Milbemycin (Feb '12). here's the article

http://www.petmd.com/news/alerts-rec...m#.T66DHtz9OYk

However, I noticed that online pet sellers do not have this in-stock and found a letter from Novartis on this website (dated Jan '12) :

http://www.1800petmeds.com/novartis.jsp

Depending on how soon you go back, it might be a good idea.

Keep your eyes on the online retailers to see if they start getting it back in stock.

http://www.1800petmeds.com/productw....base_radio.jsp

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=23279

12
An article on MDR1 that mentioned Washington State University

http://www.1800petmeds.com/education...-breeds-20.htm

Washington State University

"Fortunately, the dose of ivermectin, selamectin, milbemycin and moxidectin in the commercial heartworm preparations are low enough to be used safely even in dogs with the MDR1 mutation" from this website :

http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-VCPL/FAQ.aspx

13
The pharmacy in my town, Turgi, has it....but on Zurich Bahnhofstrasse it's at the Bahnhofstrasse/Hauptbahnhof tram stop on the corner on the same side as Globus. They have perfume, and there's a sports store in the 2nd and 3rs floor. Sorry don't know what it's called, but they have it in the window so it's pretty visible.

14
This is the part that is debatable; the Giessen study keeps the Ivermectin family on the level 1 list because of the danger of overdosage. The problem is that the weight range for the standard dosage is fairly wide, and among MDR1-/- dogs the (in)tolerance levels vary widely; if an affected dog is at close to the borderline there can be problems. My Melon (now playing fetch at Valhalla) was given an Ivermectin-based heartworm preventative while at the shelter and went into seizures; they didn't know he was MDR1-/- ... so I'm just a tad paranoid. I'd prefer to avoid the Ivermectin family if possible - especially as so few US vets seem to be current with research into the problem.

(We are so spoiled here - the quality of veterinary care available in our area is outstanding - I will truly miss my Swiss vets.)

15
Yeah, I don't blame you. Especially if vet's aren't able to tell you how tolerant your dog is, and anyways if there is an Ivermectin alternative available why even take the risk.

Hope that they are able to keep shipping the medications to the vet's offices for dogs with MDR1 .

16
This is just my -- one long-time owner's -- opinion. Other dog people on the forum may have other opinions.

As an owner you're allowed to use some discretion with what you have done. Sure, some things are required or highly recommended.

Rabies vaccinations in Switzerland, I don't think, are a requirement anymore, but rather are optional, depending if/when/how much your dog travels abroad.

Lepto is a vaccination that is only useful if you live in places where it is present. In the US, back in the 80s, DHLPP was a combo shot, but now it's more commonly given as DHPP and the Lepto is optional because Lepto is so rare. I think here in CH they still push the DHLPP though.

Rabies and DH(L)PP come in yearly vaccinations and tri-annual vaccinations. I like the tri-annual, but if you're not staying put and your dog has to travel, it's a waste on the rabies, because you'll still have to have the annual vaccine for many situations, even if the tri-annual is still valid.

Bordatella is always useful , particularly if you have a social dog or frequently board your dog at a kennel. It's also not expensive.

Lyme disease tests are a waste of money unless you're runing around in the forests or your dog is always outside. If you've never pulled a tick off of your dog, Í wouldn't bother with it. This is also a recent advent in veterinary care. I'd only started seeing this test pushed by vets in the past 3 years or so.

Fecal float -- bah. I don't bother with this annually, but I do get it periodically. Again, if it's an indoor dog and they're not out eating shit (and I mean that literally) or garbage, then the odds of getting worms are nil.

Dewormer -- This stuff is poison, and I won't allow it to go into my dog without a reason. So it's gotta be a fecal float first or I have to have seen tapeworms in their stools. I won't allow it "just 'cause".

Heartworm test -- if you're routinely using prevention, then the annual heartworm test is also something that you can have done at discretion. Also, again, use your judgement. What's the risk? were there a lot of mosquitos? do you live near a wetland? Is your dog an indoor dog or an outdoor dog? I get this one infrequently as well.

DENTAL -- don't forget the dental!!! Taking care of Fido's teeth is very important, because he's gotta keep those choppers for 10, 12, 15+ years! Be sure to discuss a professional cleaning with your vet, if one is necessary.