Client Education
Pet Vaccines
Canine Vaccines
DHPP
The distemper-Hepatitis-Parainfluenza-Parvovirus combination vaccine is also referred to simply as the distemper vaccine. Protects against some of the most deadly puppy diseases. This vaccine is started between 6-8 weeks of age (often first given by breeders) and needs to be boostered every 2-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age—past the age when the maternal antibodies against distemper are gone. Boostered again in one year and can be given every three years after that.
Rabies
A zoonotic disease (can be transmitted to humans), the rabies vaccine is required by law. Boostered in one year, then every three years thereafter.
Lyme (Borrelia Burgdorferi)
Transmitted by ticks and recommended for dogs travelling to tick-endemic regions on a regular basis. Boostered 2-4 weeks after primary vaccine and yearly thereafter.
Bordetella Bronchiseptica
AKA the Kennel Cough vaccine. Boostered in six months to one year, depending on the dog’s lifestyle. All puppies should get this vaccine since they are in and out of the hospital for their vaccine series and neutering and are potentially exposed to other dogs in the hospital. After the first year, this would be considered a lifestyle vaccine and is recommended for dogs socializing with other dogs on a regular basis.
Leptospirosis
AKA the Rat Urine vaccine, lepto is a bacteria carried by rats and passed through their urine which can infect puddles and standing water. Dogs that lick off the sidewalk or drink out of puddles are at risk. This is a serious zoonotic disease that can cause liver and/or kidney failure and death. Boostered 2-4 weeks after primary vaccine and yearly thereafter.
Canine Influenza (H3N8 & H3N2)
Causes upper respiratory, flu-like symptoms in dogs. Recommended for dogs that are in close social contact with other dogs, either through doggie daycare, or who go to the groomers’ regularly. Boostered 2-4 weeks after primary vaccine and yearly thereafter.
Feline Vaccines
Rabies
A zoonotic disease (can be transmitted to humans), the rabies vaccine is required by law. Boostered after one year, then every three years thereafter.
Feline Leukemia
Virus (Retroviridae, also known as Feline AIDS); non-core vaccine. Causes suppression of the immune system. A leading cause of cancer in cats. Transmitted through bodily fluids, most significantly through bite wounds. Only recommended for outdoor cats. Blood testing for disease recommended prior to vaccination. First vaccine is at 8-12 weeks, boostered 3-4 weeks later, and then yearly thereafter in outdoor cats.
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis-Calicivirus-Panleukopenia (FVRCP)
Also referred to simply as the distemper vaccine. This combination vaccine protects some of the most deadly feline viruses. The first vaccine is at 6-8 weeks (often given by breeders or the rescue group), then bolstered every 2-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age; then boostered again at six months, one year, and then every three years after that.
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis: Virus (family Herpesvirus-1); species-specific. It causes upper respiratory infections and is the most common cause of conjunctivitis in cats. Infection occurs through direct contact with saliva or other discharges (ocular, nasal) from infected cats. The virus remains active for as long as the discharge remains moist. Cats of any age are susceptible.
Feline Calicivirus: The Virus (family Caliciviridae) is Another important cause of upper respiratory infection in cats; symptoms also include oral, ocular, and nasal ulcers and may also cause joint pain/limping, usually in kittens. A virulent form: Virulent Systemic Feline Calicivirus or VS-FCV can cause serious disease with high fever, severe depression, limb swelling, and multiple organ disease, but this is rare.
Panleukopenia: Virus (also known as feline parvovirus or feline distemper, though it is distinct from both canine parvo and canine distemper). Panleukopenia means a decrease in all the white blood cell counts in the body. Highly contagious, passed through bodily fluids, mostly commonly feces, the virus can persist in the environment for a year or longer. Attacks on rapidly dividing cells, including bone marrow and the GI lining, may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and a severe drop in white blood cell counts, often resulting in death. Kittens exposed in utero develop cerebellar hypoplasia with accompanying neurological signs.