Why Vaccinate?
Vaccination prevents many pet illnesses and can help avoid costly treatments for preventable diseases. Vaccinations prevent diseases that can be passed between animals and from animals to people. An unvaccinated pet is at risk from life-threatening diseases found in neighborhood parks, pet friendly social events, and trails such as rabies and distemper.
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When deciding which vaccines to give your pet, you can consider factors like: Your pet's breed, Your pet's lifestyle, Your pet's risk of exposure to disease, Your pet's medical history, Where you live, Whether your pet will be visiting other areas, etc.
More on Vaccinations
What is Parvovirus?
Parvovirus, frequently shortened to “parvo”, is a highly contagious disease that affects puppies and young dogs. This virus is readily shed by contaminated fecal waste of other puppies or dogs. The virus if vary hardy and can live in the soil for up to 2 years if not properly decontaminated. Parvovirus causes severe diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, and loss of appetite. Parvovirus is considered a medical emergency due to the severity of the symptoms and how quickly a dog’s condition will deteriorate, typically 1-3 days from normal to emergency condition. The most effective treatment for this virus is 24-hour supportive care with IV fluids to combat dehydration and antibiotics to control secondary bacterial infections. Emergency and other 24-hour veterinary hospitals are the best option for a pet suspected or confirmed to have parvovirus.
The parvovirus vaccine is very effective in preventing the disease in dogs. Puppies should receive a parvovirus vaccine, commonly included in a combo vaccine – DA2PP – starting at 6-8 weeks old and receive a booster vaccine monthly until 16-20 weeks old, then revaccinate once annually. Puppies should be kept in controlled environments until they have been vaccinated completely for parvovirus.
What is Canine Distemper?
Canine distemper is a viral disease that first causes flu-like symptoms such as runny nose, nasal discharge, fever, coughing, and loss of appetite. This disease will cause vomiting diarrhea, and then neurological damage including seizures, loss of balance, and tremors/twitching. This virus is very contagious and is spread through bodily secretions.
The canine distemper vaccine has been highly effective in preventing this disease. Puppies should receive a canine distemper vaccine, commonly included in a combo vaccine – DA2PP – starting at 6-8 weeks old and receive a booster vaccine monthly until 16-20 weeks old, then revaccinate once annually. Puppies should be kept in controlled environments until they have been vaccinated completely for canine distemper.
What is Kennel Cough?
Bordetella, commonly known as kennel cough, is a respiratory disease that causes a hacking/honking cough in dogs. Bordetella can lead to pneumonia if untreated. This disease is most commonly contracted in dog kennels and dog parks, so it is imperative that your pet be vaccinated for Bordetella if he/she goes to kennels, stores, or dog parks.
What is Canine Influenza?
Canine influenza is respiratory illness similar to the various human flu viruses. This virus causes cough, runny nose, fever, lethargy, eye discharge, and reduced appetite in dogs. It is most frequently contracted in kennels and dog parks and is transmitted in water droplets produced when coughing or sneezing.
What is Leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis, commonly known as Lepto, is a water-borne bacterial disease that causes acute kidney failure and fever in dogs. Lepto is transmitted in the urine of rodents like rats and squirrels. This disease is also zoonotic – meaning that it can be transmitted to humans. Any dogs with access to standing water like ponds, lakes, and puddles should be vaccinated for Lepto. This vaccine can be combined with our DA2PP vaccine at no additional cost.
What is Feline Distemper?
Feline panleukopenia (also called feline distemper) is a highly contagious, potentially fatal disease of cats caused by the feline panleukopenia virus (FPV, also called feline parvovirus). Kittens are most severely affected.
Because FPV is everywhere in the environment, almost all kittens and cats are exposed to it at some point in their lives. Although cats of any age may catch the virus, young kittens, sick cats, and unvaccinated cats are most likely to become ill. Certain cat groups also are more susceptible, such as those in pet shops, animal shelters, kennels, or boarding facilities, and unvaccinated feral cat colonies.
What is Feline Leukemia?
FeLV is a type of virus called a retrovirus, meaning it can be incorporated into a cat’s genome and may not be cleared over time. Persistently infected cats shed infectious viral particles in saliva, as well as in feces, urine and milk. Any close contact among cats can spread FeLV, including bite wounds, mutual grooming, or sharing feeding dishes and litter boxes. Transmission can also take place from an infected mother cat to her kittens, either before they are born or while they are nursing. FeLV does not survive long outside a cat's body – probably less than a few hours under normal household conditions - so it is unlikely for a cat to be infected from the environment without prolonged close contact with an infected cat.
What is Rabies?
Rabies is a fatal viral disease that attacks the central nervous system and is spread through the bites and scratches of infected animals. Rabies infects mammals, including dogs, cats, livestock and wildlife. Rabies spreads to people and animals via saliva, usually through bites, scratches, or direct contact with mucosa (e.g. eyes, mouth, or open wounds). Rabies can be prevented with routine 1yr or 3yr vaccinations per your pets needs and county requirements.
What is the purpose of annual labwork?
Blood work for sick and injured pets helps your veterinarian diagnose and treat their condition. Screening tests can help you and your pet by:
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Setting a baseline for your pet’s normal values
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Providing peace of mind that your pet is healthy
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Tracking changes in your pet’s values from year to year
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Helping find underlying health problems in the early stages
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Helping prevent veterinary emergencies caused by unknown underlying health conditions