Vaccinations

Young animals are like kids–it’s a never-ending job to keep them safe and happy. Vaccinating your pet is a relatively inexpensive but very important way to protect his or her health. In addition to preventing many life-threatening illnesses, vaccinations can prevent diseases prevalent in wildlife and those that can be passed to humans. It’s important to administer vaccinations when pets are puppies and kittens because their young immune systems are still developing and need protection to stay healthy.

While any medical treatment involves some degree of risk, in the case of vaccinations, the benefits far outweigh any potential side effects. Adverse reactions are rare and usually mild and short-term when they do occur.

Giving Essential Cat and Dog Vaccinations

Being an AAHA accredited hospital at Hazel Dell Animal Hospital, we follow the most current vaccination practices and guidelines in veterinary medicine. “Core” vaccinations will be administered to your pet and we will determine whether they need additional vaccinations to give them optimal protection.

“Core” Dog Vaccinations Protect From:

• Distemper, which can destroy the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous system
• Hepatitis, which infects the liver and causes symptoms from mucous discharge to death
• Parvovirus, which attacks gastrointestinal tracts and is extremely contagious
• Parainfluenza, which is a respiratory virus that is extremely contagious and causes canine cough
• Rabies, which vaccination from is required by law

“Core” Cat Vaccinations Protect From:

• Feline viral rhinotracheitis, which is a respiratory disease that causes sneezing, depression and fever
• Calicivirus, which attacks your cat’s lungs and nasal passages
• Panleukopenia, which is a deadly disease that destroys cells found in bones marrow, intestines and fetuses

Other non-core, but highly suggested vaccinations for cats include FeLV to protect against feline leukemia. For dogs, bordetella and canine influenza shots are recommended if they frequent dog parks, boarding kennels, or any place where they’re socializing with other canines.

When Your Pet Should Get Vaccinated

We customize vaccinations according to your pet’s lifestyle, and we’ll recommend that boosters be administered either every year or every three years in adult pets. Puppies and kittens should receive their initial round of vaccinations between six to eight weeks. After this, they should receive boosters every three to four weeks until about 15-week’s old. This ensures that your fur-baby receives optimal protection and that we fully strengthen their immune system. Your pet’s wellness care visit is the perfect time to receive maintenance vaccinations for your adult pet. Remember to bring a new puppy or kitten in for wellness care ASAP to determine a vaccination schedule.

Pet Vaccinations in Carmel, IN

For more information about pet vaccinations or to Make an Appointment, call us at (317) 846-8710.