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Carly has been doing her due diligence, researching what to feed and how to house train her “little boy” and also what to do about disease prevention through isolation and vaccination versus socialization. She has found conflicting opinions, especially concerning isolation versus socialization, and is not sure what to do.

Some references have advised keeping Bolo isolated from other dogs until he is fully vaccinated, while others stress the importance of proper puppy socialization starting at an early age.

In the past, veterinarians would usually recommend isolating puppies from contact with other dogs during the vulnerable period of the vaccination protocol. This is primarily because a puppy’s immune system is not fully competent until about 16 weeks of age. Even as vaccines are being used to boost the immune response and protect these youngsters, they are vulnerable to the very diseases we are vaccinating to protect against. That is until they can mount a full immune response. Parvo viral infection was one major reason for this precaution. However, this did not allow for socialization until the puppies were 16 weeks old, which, with some dogs, can result in inappropriate behaviors.

Avoiding exposure to disease-causing organisms by contact with infected animals or fecal waste that might contain infecting organisms is a good idea. That said, how do we address the absolute need for proper puppy socialization? It involves puppy socialization in a controlled environment.

It is still my recommendation that puppies be kept from areas where they can be inadvertently exposed to disease. I would avoid public parks and other such areas with unknown potential for disease transmission until the vaccination protocol has been completed. This is especially important for avoidance of parvo virus, as I mentioned above. This virus is hardy and can last in the environment for many months. The disease associated with infection with this virus is debilitating and can be fatal, hence these precautions.

Proper puppy socialization then should occur in areas where the environment is free of such potential disease and with all participants on a vaccination schedule. With this type of situation, chances for disease exposure are greatly reduced while at the same time, allowing for the critical need for puppies to be properly socialized.

As always, prevention of disease is much better than having to treat. Through proper vaccination and proper avoidance, Bobo can be properly protected while he learns the in and outs of associating with other dogs and, as well, other people. This ultimately results in a well-rounded pet secure in his home environment and the bigger world.

Jeff Kahler is a veterinarian in Modesto, Calif. Questions can be submitted to Your Pet in care of LifeStyles, The Modesto Bee, P.O. Box 5256, Modesto CA 95352.

• Ravel, a horse competing in dressage at the Olympics, underwent stem cell therapy to treat a leg injury.
• Ravel is presently the highest-scoring horse on Team USA at the 2012 London Olympics.

Ravel, a horse competing at the 2012 London Olympics, underwent stem cell therapy treatment that helped heal a possibly career-ending injury to one of his legs, according to the Helen Woodward Animal Center in California.

Ravel, a regular client of Rodrigo Vazquez of Equine Surgical Services at the center, is believed to be the first Olympian to benefit from a stem cell-based treatment. Ravel is now the highest scoring horse on Team USA at the Olympics.

“Ravel is a high-impact athlete,” Vazquez said. “He runs the same risks as any other athlete in a high performance sport and he gets hurt like any other athlete too. But he is something special. He works hard and he’s focused and he thrives in his sport. He just didn’t want to quit.”

Ravel and Peters were the highest placing American pair at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and have won numerous competitions over the years, including the prestigious Rolex/FEI World Cup in dressage.

Vazquez, however, did share that regular check-ups, vaccinations, dentistry and the “emergency treatment with a new technology based on stem cell therapy” helped to heal Ravel after an eight-month break in training.

Adult stem cells can reproduce and differentiate into different types of cells. They continue to be a focus of study for scientists hoping to treat a number of diseases in humans and non-human animals. In horses, to repair cartilage and tendon tissues, scientists have been looking into stem cells derived from bone.

Results of clinical studies on horses suggest that stem cell treatment can improve healing rates, overall outcomes, and decrease re-injury rates almost by half. Further studies are needed, however, to better determine dosage and timing specifics.

In the meantime, Ravel, Peters and Vazquez are all now in London. The horse’s performances so far this week are “textbook Ravel,” according to a report issued by the United States Equestrian Team Foundation. “The veteran went to work and moved through the test with ease.”

As of this writing, there is still hope that Ravel might win an Individual medal at the games.

Fifteen is a senior age for equine competitors at the Olympic level, so it is widely speculated that Ravel is close to the end of his competing career. No official announcement of his retirement has been made so far.

For now, Vazquez is hoping to watch Ravel bring home the gold.

A: It is impossible for anyone but your veterinarian to answer this question accurately. Vaccines are one of the main reasons pets are living longer today than ever before. Many serious or fatal diseases are rare today solely due to the widespread use of vaccines. However, not every cat or dog needs every existing vaccine each and every year.

Veterinarians must weigh the benefits of each vaccine against potential side effects. People work hard to become veterinarians in order to help animals. The thought of one of our vaccines causing harm is terrifying to most of us. As a result, the profession periodically evaluates existing vaccine protocols and recommendations. Years of study and debate have led to even more study and more debate.

One thing all veterinarians agree upon is that your pet should be seeing the doctor every six to twelve months for an examination and health consultation. An important part of these visits should be formulation of a disease prevention strategy. This way, your pet can benefit from the latest knowledge on vaccine benefits and risks. The information contained in this column does not substitute for an individual consultation with your family veterinarian.

All pets need a set of core vaccines. In cats, these core vaccines are panleukopenia (feline distemper), upper respiratory viruses (FVR-C), and rabies. In dogs the core vaccines are distemper/hepatitis/parvovirus (DHP or DAP), and rabies. If a pet has completed an initial series as a puppy or kitten and has received booster vaccines at one year of age, these core vaccines protect most pets for three years or more. However, your veterinarian may recommend more or less frequent boosters based on your pet’s particular risk factors and lifestyle.

Which non-core vaccines are right for your pet? After an examination and a detailed discussion of your pet’s lifestyle, your family veterinarian can formulate the best vaccine protocol for your particular pet. Cats that spend time outdoors are at high risk for being exposed to FeLV. Dogs that visit parks, groomers, kennels, or pet stores are at high risk for being exposed to bordetella and parainfluenza. The incidence of Lyme disease and leptospirosis is rising in Virginia. Some veterinarians may also recommend FIV, FIP, canine influenza, coronavirus, giardia, or other vaccines. For all non-core vaccines, annual boosters are important – sometimes more frequently for very high risk individuals.

Be prepared for vaccine recommendations to change from year to year. Weather patterns, emerging diseases, and advancing medical knowledge frequently change the risk to benefit ratios. As a pet owner your focus should be on developing a close relationship with your family veterinarian. Pet wellness depends upon so much more than vaccination. Proper nutrition, exercise, laboratory screening tests, parasite prevention, and dental care should also be individually tailored to your pet. The benefit is a happier, longer life for your pet… and maybe even for you and your family.

Q: Why does my veterinarian require a heartworm test every year? I am religious about giving the preventive medication.

A: Your veterinarian is following the published recommendation of the American Heartworm Society and all major manufacturers of heartworm preventives. The main reason is to detect heartworm infection in its earliest stages. Tests only pick of female heartworms that are six months of age or more. In actual use, no preventive product is 100% effective. Late doses and missed doses are common. Even “religious” use can be impacted by a dog vomiting a dose without the owner knowing, variability in absorption, or improper medication storage or shipping conditions. Just this month I diagnosed a dog with heartworm infection that had been negative last November (that’s only eight months ago if you’re counting). When paired with annual health screening bloodwork, the heartworm test is usually very inexpensive or even free. I would suggest following your veterinarian’s advice. He is looking out for the best interest of your dog.