Understanding Vaccines
Making sure you're informed and your dog or cat is healthy.
CANINE VACCINES
Vaccines are very important in managing the health of your dog. However, not every dog needs to be vaccinated against every disease. If you are unsure about what vaccines your pet needs, give us a call. We will sit down with you and your pet to examine factors such as age, medical history, environment, travel habits and lifestyle to determine the best vaccination protocol for you and your pet.
RABIES
Rabies is a viral infection of the central nervous system that can affect all mammals and is fatal if left untreated. This is why the rabies vaccine is required by law in most states. It is transmitted from animal-to-animal or from animal-to-human primarily through the bite of an infected animal.
5-IN-1 (DA2PP)
This combination vaccine, if given appropriately, protects against viruses that cause life-threatening neurologic, respiratory and gastrointestinal issues. These viruses are typically known as Canine Distemper, Adenovirus 1, Adenovirus 2, Parainfluenza Virus and Parvovirus.
BORDETELLA
This vaccine helps reduce risk of dog contracting a respiratory disease known as Bordetella bronchisepticum, a bacterial pathogen more commonly known as kennel cough. Bordetella is characterized by a dry, hacking, and often painful cough that is extremely contagious among dogs.
LEPTOSPIROSIS
This vaccine helps reduce risk of dog contracting a bacterial infection often causing permanent kidney and liver damage that causes uremia (uremic poisoning), jaundice, and sometimes death in dogs. Both dogs and humans contract this disease through contact with infected animals or through leptospira-contaminated drinking water.
LYME
This vaccine helps prevent Lyme disease which is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi often transmitted through a tick bite. The tick must be attached to the dog for about 48 hours in order to transmit the bacteria.
CANINE INFLUENZA (BIVALENT)
This vaccine helps reduce the risk of a dog contracting Canine Influenza, also known as dog flu, which is a viral infection. Dogs are more at risk when in boarding, grooming, or doggie day care settings.
FELINE VACCINES
Vaccines are very important in managing the health of your cat. However, not every cat needs to be vaccinated against every disease. If you are unsure what vaccines your pet needs, give us a call. We will sit down with you to examine factors such as age, medical history, environment, travel habits and lifestyle to determine the best vaccination protocol for you and your pet.
RABIES
Rabies is a viral infection of the central nervous system that can affect all mammals and is fatal if left untreated. This is why the rabies vaccine is required by law in most states. It is transmitted from animal-to-animal or from animal-to-human primarily through the bite of an infected animal.
3-IN-1 (FVRCP)
This combination vaccine helps reduce the risk of your cat contracting viruses that cause life-threatening respiratory and gastrointestinal issues. These viruses are typically known as Feline Herpesvirus, Feline Calicivirus and Feline Panleukopenia Virus.
FELINE LEUKEMIA
This vaccine helps reduce the risk of your cat contracting the Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) that is transmitted from cat to cat via saliva and nasal mucus. Cats in direct contact with one another are the most likely to transmit the disease suppressing a cat’s immune system.