It is very important that you maintain current vaccinations for your pet’s health and well-being. Proper vaccination can spare your pets from such potentially deadly diseases as rabies, distemper, parvovirus, bordetella, and feline leukemia. Animals can become exposed to sick animals through contact between yard fencing, at parks or other places of congregation. Ensuring that your pet’s health is protected will eliminate or reduce potential medical expenses. Vaccination type and frequency of inoculation may vary based on your pet’s age and medical condition. It is a key element of responsible pet ownership and your pet will thank you for it!
Common Types
Rabies
This vaccine is given after your pet is 12 weeks of age and then annually after that. Rabies is a severe disease that affects an animal's neurologic system by causing swelling and inflammation of the brain. Symptoms include aggression, lack of balance, excessive drooling, and paralysis. Any warm-blooded animal can have and transmit rabies, but skunks, raccoons, foxes, and bats are the most common carriers. Rabies is transmitted through infected saliva that enters the body through bite wounds. Rabies vaccination is so important because of the severity of the disease, the fact that it is fatal, and because of the public health implication because people can also contract it.
DHLPP
This vaccine protects against canine distemper, canine hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus.
- Distemper is a viral disease transmitted through the air and can cause neurologic disease, respiratory disease, and conjunctivitis.
- Canine hepatitis is a viral disease that is shed in the urine and feces and is picked up through the oral and nasal cavity. It can cause a fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, coughing, and lethargy.
- Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that is shed in the urine and can be found in standing water. It can cause liver and kidney disease.
- Parainfluenza is a virus transmitted by through the air. It is part of kennel cough complex and the typical main symptom is coughing.
- Parvovirus is a viral disease that causes severe bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and death. It is shed in the feces of animals and can live in the environment for a long time. Puppies are especially susceptible to this disease.
Bordetella
This vaccine is for an upper respiratory bacterial disease that is highly contagious between dogs. The typical main symptom is coughing. It is recommended for dogs that are going to board in a kennel or will be around other dogs in a confined space, such dog shows or obedience classes.
FVRCP
- This vaccine prevents cats against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia.
- Feline viral rhinotracheitis is a viral disease that is typically transmitted through saliva. Its symptoms include coughing, sneezing, and conjunctivitis.
- Calicivrius is transmitted through saliva, feces, and urine. Symptoms include fever, conjunctivitis, nasal discharge, and inflammation of the mouth.
- Panleukopenia a viral disease that is the leading cause of death in kittens. It is highly contagious and is spread through infected animals and items such as contaminated food dishes, bedding and litter boxes. Its typical symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea and it requires intensive treatment.
FeLV
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a virus that infects only cats. FeLV depresses the immune system and can lead to persistent infections. It can cause anemia and several types of cancers. It is transmitted through the exchange of bodily fluids. There is no treatment to eliminate the FeLV virus, and thus the disease is ultimately fatal. Therefore, preventing infection through vaccination is highly recommended.