Vaccinations

Protect your pet's quality of life using vaccines and preventative care!

Vaccinations and preventive care can keep your animal healthy and happy. Our vaccine recommendations operate on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the age, type, breed, lifestyle, and travel habits of your companion animal, as well as your needs and plans.

Vaccines and preventative care play a vital role in protecting your pet from serious diseases that can kill or permanently hinder their health. Here are a few typical canine and feline diseases that can be prevented through the use of vaccines:

• Distemper is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus similar to measles in humans. Worldwide, it is the leading cause of infectious disease deaths in pets.
• Canine Coronavirus is a contagious intestinal infection. It can be severe in young puppies and dogs stressed by poor health or other issues.
• Canine Parvovirus is an acute, highly contagious disease that attacks rapidly reproducing cells such as those lining the gastrointestinal tract. Parvo affects dogs of all ages, but most cases occur in puppies.
• Canine leptospirosis is caused by a bacteria found in wild and domestic animals. The bacteria are spread in the urine, making their way into water sources and infecting the soil for months. Rats, pigs, raccoons, cattle, skunks, and opossums appear to be the primary source for spreading this disease.
• Feline panleukopenia, also called feline infectious enteritis, is a leading cause of death in kittens. It has been called feline distemper, but it bears no relation to the virus that causes distemper in dogs.
• Feline leukemia (FeLV) is a retrovirus and this vaccine is not given to every pet. Indoor cats that have been tested before coming home should have minimal risk of acquiring FeLV and would not necessarily need this vaccine unless they have exposure to other cats, especially outdoor cats.
• Rabies is a dangerous, highly contagious, and deadly disease, with vaccination protocols governed by law in most states.
• Heartworm is a disease that is prevalent in all parts of the United States and is spread only by mosquitoes. Heartworm can strike both dogs and cats, but is much more common in dogs. As its name implies, heartworms live in the blood of a dog or cat’s heart and adjacent blood vessels, leading to serious heart damage and death. In cats, the primary clinical signs are related to respiratory disease, not heart disease. The American Heartworm Society recommends year-round prevention for all dogs and cats.

Canine vaccines that are recommended:

• Distemper, adenovirus (hepatitis), parainfluenza, parvovirus, and canine Coronavirus (DHPP+C)–annually
• Rabies–annually or every 3 years, depending on which vaccine is used
• Leptospirosis–annually, as needed based on exposure to livestock or wildlife
• Bordetella (kennel cough)–every 6 months, as needed based on requirements of kennel or other high-exposure environments
• We also perform annual heartworm testing and provide as well as highly recommend parasite prevention to combat heartworms

Feline Vaccinations that are recommended:

• Feline distemper and upper respiratory (FVRCP)–annually
• Feline leukemia (FeLv)–annually, as needed if your cat goes outdoors or is exposed to outdoor cats
• Rabies–annually or every 3 years, depending on which vaccine is used
• We recommend monthly doses of flea & tick prevention as well as heartworm prevention

Vaccine schedules are to be used as a basic guideline, but each animal will be evaluated for its own specific needs. If you would like to discuss any questions or concerns with us about your pet and vaccines you can do so by giving us a call or during your appointment with our veterinarian.