Vaccinations

Our vaccination protocol is based on state statutes, vaccine manufacturer recommendations, veterinary association recommendations, exposure incidence of specific diseases and common sense. Vaccinations are not bad or unhealthy and do prevent diseases that used to be fatal and common. A vaccination schedule that works for one pet may not be needed for another, so we attempt to individualize each patient’s vaccines based on exposure probability. Vaccine reactions can occur, but are rare. The risk of reaction to any vaccine is lower than the risk of not being vaccinated and being exposed to contagious disease. Many diseases are not routinely seen anymore due to the effectiveness of modern day vaccination regimens.
 
Some diseases are spread in the environment, some by direct contact with other animals.
 
Rabies is spread by the bite or scratch of a rabid (carrier of rabies) animal. In our section of the country, it is primarily via raccoons, foxes and bats. It is a neurological Disease (affects the brain)
 
Distemper: a disease that is different for dogs and cats. In dogs it is a neurological disease, in cats it is a gastrointestinal disease (similar to parvovirus enteritis in dogs) that also affects the bone marrow.
 
Parvovirus enteritis is a very contagious and hardy virus that is shed in the diarrhea of a sick dog and can remain living in the environment for over a year. It is not killed by routine disinfectants. This disease causes varying degrees of vomiting and diarrhea. The diarrhea can be quite profound and will vary from simply liquid to purely bloody.
 
Upper respiratory diseases are spread by direct contact with infected animals and via coughing and sneezing.  Upper respiratory diseases in cats can be quite devastating and chronic in nature. Once a cat contracts an upper respiratory infection, it usually remains a chronic carrier even though symptoms improve.
 
Puppies can begin vaccinations as early as 6 weeks; Kittens as early as 8 weeks. A series is usually required for full immunity. Until those ages the puppy’s, or kitten’s, mother supplies antibodies to help protect them from disease.
 
Regardless of the puppy’s, or kitten’s, age or date of vaccination, all new additions to your family should be evaluated by one of our veterinarians to insure that there is not some reason that the pet you have chosen is not a good choice. This is best done as soon as possible before the family can become “attached” to an unhealthy pet.