What we Vaccinate Against and Why

 Rabies is a preventable viral disease usually transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. The rabies virus infects the central nervous system of mammals, ultimately causing disease in the brain and death. Most rabies cases reported occur in wild animals like bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes, but any mammal can contract it—including humans. This is why all dogs and cats in are Texas required by law to remain up to date on their rabies vaccinations. Rabies is extremely deadly and contagious, so keeping your pets vaccinated against it keeps you and your pets safe.  

 Canine cough is an extremely common and highly contagious upper respiratory illness, similar to a bad cold. Symptoms include dry/hacking cough, retching, lethargy, nasal congestion and discharge, eye discharge, and sneezing. If left unattended, it can escalate into pneumonia. Dogs are at highest risk of contracting canine cough when they are around other dogs, like boarding and grooming facilities, dog parks, and pet stores. However, even indoor dogs can contract it through indirect contact, such as if you touch a contaminated shopping cart or dog in public and bring the bacterium home.

 Lepto is a bacterial infection that dogs can contract from their own back yards. It is most commonly spread through the urine of wildlife such as squirrels, rats, or skunks. This contact can include direct contact with the infected animal or second-hand exposure, such as if your dog laps up water in an area where the lepto bacteria is present in local wildlife. Symptoms include lethargy, vomiting, dehydration, and lack of appetite. Humans can also contract lepto, and keeping your pets up to date on the lepto vaccine is the best way to prevent you and your pet from getting sick.

The Distemper/Parvo vaccine prevents 4 harmful conditions: 

"D" = Canine Distemper
"H" = Infectious Hepatitis
"P" = Parainfluenza
"P" = Parvovirus 

Canine Distemper:
The canine distemper virus affects organs including skin, brain, eyes, intestinal tract, and the respiratory system. It is spread through the air by coughing and through body fluids like urine and saliva. Dogs of any age can be affected, but puppies are especially at risk. 

Infectious Hepatitis:
Infectious Hepatitis affects the liver and other organs. It can become deadly within hours after the  initial signs, and often mimics poisoning. Dogs of any age can be affected, but puppies are especially at risk. 

Parainfluenza:
Parainfluenza is an upper-respiratory infection one component of Bordetella (canine cough/kennel cough). It spreads through the air and causes a severe cough. Dogs of all ages can contract it. 

Canine Parvovirus:
The canine parvovirus (CPV) is one of the most common infections among dogs in the US. Parvo can become deadly within days. Puppies are an exceptionally high risk for contracting it. Vaccination is essential to reduce the risk of puppies contracting this deadly condition. 

 Canine influenza (CI), or dog flu, is a highly contagious viral infection. Influenza viruses can quickly change and give rise to new strains that can infect different species. Canine influenza is transmitted through respiratory secretions from coughing, barking and sneezing. Dogs in close contact with infected dogs in places such as kennels, groomers, day care facilities and shelters are at increased risk of infection.  Canine influenza can be spread indirectly through objects (e.g., kennels, food and water bowls, collars and leashes) or people that have  been in contact with infected dogs.  

 Rabies is a preventable viral disease usually transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. The rabies virus infects the central nervous system of mammals, ultimately causing disease in the brain and death. Most rabies cases reported occur in wild animals like bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes, but any mammal can contract it—including humans. This is why all dogs and cats in are Texas required by law to remain up to date on their rabies vaccinations. Rabies is extremely deadly and contagious, so keeping your pets vaccinated against it keeps you and your pets safe.  

The FVRCP vaccination is given to help prevent a several contagious diseases caused by viruses: 

"FVR" = Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis 

"C" = Calicivirus Infection 

"P" = Panleukopenia 

Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis: 

Viral Rhinotracheitis is one of the most serious upper-respiratory diseases seen in cats and kittens. It is passed through the air.  
 

Calicivirus Infection: 

Several strains of the calicivirus can cause diseases ranging from minor infections to severe pneumonia and are responsible for many of the upper-respiratory tract diseases in cats. It's transmitted by direct contact with a cat or an infected object. 
 

Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper): 

Panleukopenia is a highly contagious, deadly disease for cats and especially kittens. This hardy virus is resistant to many disinfectants and can survive in the environment for a long time. 

 Leukemia is the leading viral killer of cats in the US. It is spread from cat to cat through bites, casual contact with infected cats, or from an infected mother to her kittens. There is no cure. If your cat EVER goes outside or EVER comes in contact with an indoor-outdoor cat, it is extremely important to vaccinate against feline leukemia. Prevention is our only option for protecting our cats from leukemia.