What we vaccinate against and why?

Rabies is a preventable viral disease most often 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. The vast majority of rabies cases reported occur in wild animals like bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes, although any mammal can get rabies. Rabies is required by law due to the public health significance of rabies being zoonotic, meaning that humans can contract rabies as well. This is why it is so important to keep your pet's rabies vaccine current all year round.

Canine cough is an extremely common upper respiratory illness that is very easily contracted and spread. Think of kennel cough like the "doggie cold," symptoms include: dry cough/hack, retching, lethargy, nasal congestion and discharge, eye discharge and sneezing. If left untended to, Canine cough can escalate to pneumonia.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that dogs most commonly catch after coming in contact with the urine of wildlife (rats, skunks, squirrels, etc.). This contact can be direct contact with the infected animal or through second-hand exposure. For example, if your pet licks his feet or laps up stagnant water after it rains in an area where the leptospirosis bacteria is present in local wildlife, this can be enough for your pet to develop the infection. Like rabies, lepto is also zoonotic, meaning that humans can also contract it, so we always recommend your pet stay up to date on this vaccine.

The vaccination commonly named "DHP/P" is given to help prevent 4 harmful conditions:

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

Canine Distemper:
Affects organs, including skin, brain, eyes, intestinal tract and the respiratory system. Distemper is spread through the air by coughing and through body fluids like urine and saliva. Dogs of any age can be affected. Puppies are especially at risk.

Infectious Hepatitis:
Dogs of all ages are at risk - especially puppies. This disease affects the liver and other organs. Death can result within hours after the  initial signs, and often mimics poisoning. 

Parainfluenza:
Causes upper-respiratory infection, and is one component of "kennel cough". It spreads through the air. Dogs and puppies of all ages can be affected. A severe cough is the most notable symptom.  

Parvovirus:
Canine parvovirus (CPV) disease is one of the most common infections among dogs in the US. Puppies are at an exceptionally high risk for parvovirus. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. Parvo can escalate into a deadly situation within a few days. Vaccination is essential to reduce the risk of contracting this deadly condition. 

Canine influenza (CI), or dog flu, is a highly contagious viral infection affecting dogs and also cats. Influenza viruses are able to 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 most often 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. The vast majority of rabies cases reported occur in wild animals like bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes, although any mammal can get rabies. Rabies is required by law due to the public health significance of rabies being zoonotic, meaning that humans can contract rabies as well. This is why it is so important to keep your pet's rabies vaccine current all year round.

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:

This upper-respiratory infection is one of the most serious respiratory diseases seen in cats and kittens. It is passed through the air. The  vaccine is an effective preventive agent.
Calicivirus Infection:

Several strains of these viruses can cause a range of diseases - from a minor infection 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:

Also  known as "feline distemper" 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.

The leading viral killer of cats in the US, this virus is spread from cat-to-cat through bites, casual contact with infected cats, or from an
infected mother to her kittens. If your cat EVER goes outside or EVER comes in
contact with an indoor/outdoor cat, it is important to vaccinate against FeLV. Leukemia is a virus, there is no cure. Our only option is to prevent.