Vaccinations to immunize you pet is an important part of keeping
your pet and family safe from disease. It is important to remember
that vaccinations not only protect your pet, but it also protects
your family. Certain diseases, such as Leptospirosis, can infect
pets be transmitted to humans.
On their first exam, a tailored vaccination program will be
designed for your pet based on their age, pet’s needs and
lifestyle. For example, a young puppy or kitten will need an
initial series of vaccinations to develop appropriate immunity.
Cats that stay exclusively in the house may not need certain
vaccinations compared to cats that have outdoor privileges.
Most common dog vaccinations include:
Distemper/Adenovirus/Parainfluenza/Parvovirus
These are four debilitating diseases that can cause death. Nearly
every dog will be exposed to these diseases during their lifetime,
making vaccinations to protect your dog important. Vaccination for
all of these diseases is recommended every year after the initial
series.
Rabies
Rabies is a fatal viral disease that can infect all warm-blooded
animals, including dogs and humans. We vaccinate every three years
after the initial vaccine. This vaccine is required by the state
and you are required to renew your pet’s rabies tag every year with
the county.
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that can damage your dog’s
kidneys. Dogs and even humans can become ill after contact with
infected urine. This disease can also be spread by wild animals
such as raccoons. Vaccination recommended every year depending on
exposure risk.
Heartworm is transmitted by mosquitoes. The larvae transform
into adult worms and eventually block blood flow through the heart.
This causes congestive heart failure and death if left untreated.
Dogs should be placed on Heartworm preventative at 8 weeks of age
and continue on this medication for their entire life. A simple
blood test is performed to ensure that your pet is free from
heartworms.
We typically recommend these vaccines for dogs:
Distemper/Adenovirus/Parainfluenza/Parvovirus (DAPP): 1-year
vaccine after initial series.
Rabies: 3-year vaccine after initial series.
Bordetella (kennel cough): 1-year vaccine (every 6 months
for high risk)
Leptospirosis: 1-year vaccine
Most common cat vaccinations include:
FVRCP
This vaccination helps protect against three feline viral diseases:
Feline Rhinotracheitis, Calici virus, and Panleukepenia which is
also known as distemper. All are highly contagious viruses which
are easily transmitted between cats by aerosol transmission and can
be fatal. Vaccination recommended every year after initial
series.
Rabies vaccine
This is a fatal viral disease that can infect all warm-blooded
animals, including cats and humans. Vaccination recommended every 3
year afters initial series.
Feline leukemia
This virus severely suppresses a cat’s immune system so the cat’s
body cannot fight off diseases. It can cause serious illness and
death in cats. There is no cure, but there is a vaccine to prevent
it. Testing for feline leukemia should be done prior to
vaccination. It can be transmitted from mother to newborn or can
lay dormant in the cat for years before symptoms become present. We
recommend vaccinating all kittens up to one year of age.
Vaccinations after that are yearly or based on viral titers.
We typically recommend these vaccines for cats:
Feline Distemper (FVRCP): 1-year vaccine after initial
series.
Rabies: 3-year vaccine after initial series.
Feline Leukemia (FeLv): 1-year vaccine after initial series;
dependent on risk.
