Vaccinations

Vaccines are very important to prevent disease. They help your pet build immunity so they can fight off illness if they are exposed to the disease. They also decrease the overall amount of disease in a population.

Some vaccines are highly recommended or even required for your pet; and some should be given to pets that may be exposed to the disease the vaccine is for, if these pets are considered great risk and benefit from the additional protection.

Please note that to protect your pet and others, some businesses such as boarding, grooming and day care facilities and even the dog park may require vaccines that are not considered for all household pets.

Our Free Vaccines for Life program is designed to help keep your pet healthy by providing the required vaccines (as well as a couple of the recommended ones). Give us a call to learn more about the program!

DOGS

DHPP (DA2PP) Vaccine
Distemper virus
A highly contagious virus that is spread by respiratory secretions (sneezing and coughing) causing severe respiratory and neurologic disease. This disease can be deadly, and vaccinations create a strong immunity and are very important to prevent the disease.

Adenovirus virus (hepatitis virus)
A virus that causes a disease called infectious canine hepatitis. This virus is spread by secretions from the mouth and nose. This virus attacks many organs in the body, primarily the liver and kidneys. This disease can be deadly, and vaccinations create a strong immunity and are very important to prevent the disease.

Parainfluenza virus
A virus spread by respiratory secretions causing flu-like signs and sickness.

Parvo virus
A highly contagious, stable virus that is spread by fecal-oral route. This means any place an infected dog defecates can store this virus. When another dog sniffs or walks through an infected area, they can pick up the virus. The virus can also be spread by people and insects. This virus causes SEVERE illness, and can be deadly. Common signs include vomiting, diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, severe lethargy (weakness), and loss of appetite. Vaccinations create a strong immunity and are very important to prevent the disease.

Bordetella bronchiseptica
This is a highly contagious bacteria that is a key component in an upper respiratory tract infection, most commonly called kennel cough. It is spread in respiratory secretions, and the most common sign is coughing. It can also cause nasal discharge, lethargy, and fever.

Leptospirosis
This is a disease that affects many animals, including people. It is caused by bacteria called Leptospira interrogans, which has many different strains called serovars. It is spread in the urine of infected animals and other animals then get the disease by contact with contaminated water. This disease causes severe kidney damage, and while treatable, can cause kidney failure and death. Not all animals will get sick from the bacteria, these animals are called carriers and live with the bacteria, but spread it to other animals that may then get sick. The vaccination to protect against this is not considered core in our region, but may be recommended for pets that travel or spend lots of time near bodies of water, such as when camping or hiking.

Lyme Disease
This disease is caused by a spirochete called Borrelia burgdorferi, and is passed to animals and people by ticks. The disease most commonly causes swollen joints, pain, limping, fever, lethargy, and decreased appetite. This disease is not yet common in our area, but vaccination is recommended for pets that travel, particularly to the east and west coast.

Rabies virus
A deadly, contagious virus that is spread mostly in saliva by a bite from an infected animal. It can also be spread in urine and other secretions. This virus can infect all mammals, including people, and vaccination has been key in drastically decreasing this horrible disease. Rabies causes neurologic signs, such as abnormal behavior, lethargy, and seizures. It also causes aggression, excessive salivation, severe whole body muscular contractions, and death.

CATS

FVRCP Vaccine
Rhinotracheitis and calici virus
These are two highly contagious, and common causes of upper respiratory infections in cats.

Panleukopenia virus
This virus is highly contagious, and is spread in many bodily fluids. It is passed by direct contact with infected animals, or anywhere an infected animal has been. This virus is deadly and causes many signs including birth defects, lethargy, decreased white cell production, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, fever, and more. Not all infected cats develop clinical signs, which mean they can be carriers. Vaccination creates a strong immunity and is very important to prevent the disease.

Feline Leukemia
This is a virus that is passed in saliva, so cats that fight or share bowls with an infected cat can develop the disease. This is why outdoor cats are at a higher risk of contracting the disease and should be vaccinated. It can also be passed from mother to kitten. Some cats are carriers, meaning they can pass the disease but are not yet sick. This disease attacks many different cell types in a cat’s body, causing a weak immune system and neoplastic (cancer) disease. Common signs include weight loss, fever, swollen lymph nodes, fluid in the chest, and much more.

Rabies virus
A deadly, contagious virus that is spread mostly in saliva by a bite from an infected animal. It can also be spread in urine and other secretions. This virus can infect all mammals, including people, and vaccination has been key in drastically decreasing this horrible disease. Rabies causes neurologic signs, such as abnormal behavior, lethargy, and seizures. It also causes aggression, excessive salivation, severe whole body muscular contractions, and death.

FERRETS

Distemper virus
A highly contagious virus that is spread by respiratory secretions (sneezing and coughing) causing severe respiratory and neurologic disease. This disease can be deadly, and vaccinations create a strong immunity and are very important to prevent the disease. Ferrets can get this from infected dogs.

Rabies virus
A deadly, contagious virus that is spread mostly in saliva by a bite from an infected animal. It can also be spread in urine and other secretions. This virus can infect all mammals, including people, and vaccination has been key in drastically decreasing this horrible disease. Rabies causes neurologic signs, such as abnormal behavior, lethargy, and seizures. It also causes aggression, excessive salivation, severe whole body muscular contractions, and death.