Is it Necessary to Keep Pet Vaccinations Current?

With 24-hour emergency services available to your pet, we’re here whenever you need us. Certainly surgery, diagnostics, and treatment are required in the case of sudden illness or injury, but what about pet issues we cannot see? Disease prevention is a major component of veterinary care. From dental hygiene to maintaining a healthy weight, it’s critically important to keep up a proper defense against illness and disease.

This proactive approach also hinges on keeping up with pet vaccinations. We can help create a plan to keep your pet safe from problems that cannot be detected with the naked eye.

A Schedule

Many developing health issues can be detected at routine wellness exams. By monitoring and regulating any problems, we have a significant advantage by increasing the chance of noticing even slight changes in your pet’s health.

A physical exam gives us enormous insight into your pet’s state of wellness, but possibly the most helpful aspect is our discussion with you. We wouldn’t necessarily know about your pet’s behavioral patterns or subtle shifts in preferences otherwise. Together, we can determine your pet’s lifestyle, which we use for creating a detailed vaccination plan.

Every pet is unique and so is their vaccination plan. We take into consideration your pet’s age, breed, general health, physical environment, lifestyle, and the type/amount of exposure to other animals.

A Look at Pet Vaccinations

Vaccines provide the immune system with tools to fight off a disease. Because they contain trace amounts of the actual disease, vaccines trigger immune system reactions that enable protection from the disease if and when they’re exposed to that particular bacteria, virus, or parasite.

For maximum efficacy, some pet vaccinations require boosters. These boost the immunological response to possible invaders. We encourage all pet owners to keep up-to-date with pet vaccinations and boosters to reduce the chances of disease.

Best Possible Care

We’re committed to providing your pet with the best possible care. To that end, we always work with you to determine which vaccines are necessary for your pet’s optimal health and protection.

There are core and non-core pet vaccinations. Core vaccinations protect against diseases with high incidence and risk of exposure, increased severity, and the ability to infect humans. Non-core vaccines add an extra layer of protection for pets who spend a lot of time with other animals.

Generally speaking, the following pet vaccinations are a good place to start:

• Rabies
• Distemper
• Parvovirus
• Bordetella (kennel cough)
• Influenza
• FVRCP (feline respiratory diseases)
• Feline leukemia
• Feline aids

A Helping Hand

Keeping pet vaccinations current doesn’t just support a longer, healthier life – they’re mandatory. A proof of vaccination is required for pet licensing, travel, grooming services, and more. Rabies is just one disease that’s potentially fatal but also preventable with vaccinations.

Pet vaccinations should be administered as soon as possible, typically after a pet has finished weaning from a mother’s milk. It’s not uncommon for pets to experience some soreness, redness, or swelling at the sight of the vaccination. If lethargy, low-grade fever, coughing, and lack of appetite persist for longer than 24 hours after an immunization, we urge you to call us.

Our veterinarians and staff are always here for you and your pet!