Protecting Your Pet With Vaccination
Providing a safe and healthy environment for your furry family members is a responsibility we take to heart at Sarver Animal Hospital. With your pet’s specific needs in mind at every stage of life, from playful puppy to serene senior, we develop a vaccination protocol unique to your pet’s needs. This will help to ensure they are protected from common diseases which may impact their quality of life and longevity.
Keep in mind, not only do vaccinations protect your pet, but they also protect your family’s health. By ensuring your pet is properly vaccinated, you are helping to prevent the spread of potentially dangerous diseases to other animals and even humans.
Early Protection for Life-Long Health
Your pet’s immune system isn’t fully developed when they are a puppy or kitten. As you’ve likely heard the old adage, “Prevention is better than a cure”, this holds true for pets, too, and that starts from the very first vaccinations. Our puppy and kitten vaccination series is foundational to their health:
These primary immunizations provide protection against a range of diseases that could prove fatal if contracted—diseases like parvovirus in puppies and feline leukemia in kittens. Early vaccination serves as a critical investment in your pet’s wellness, saving you from unnecessary heartache and expenses down the line.
Core Vaccines: The Foundation of Health and Disease Prevention
Core vaccines protect against diseases that are common, widespread, pose significant risk of severe illness or death, and are transmissible to humans. At Sarver Animal Hospital, we provide the following core vaccines for dogs and cats on a tailored schedule:
Rabies, DAPP (Distemper, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus), Leptospirosis, Lyme:
Protects against these severe and potentially life-threatening conditions. We recommend these vaccines for dogs of all ages.
Rabies, FVRCP (Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia):
The Rabies and FVRCP vaccines are essential for protecting cats against fatal neurological and severe respiratory and gastrointestinal viruses.
Administering these core vaccinations helps to create an effective barrier against life-threatening diseases for your pet, whatever the stage of their life.
Lifestyle Vaccines: Taking Your Pet’s Individuality into Account
Like humans, pets have individual risk factors based on their environments and activities. Our veterinarians at Sarver Animal Hospital will discuss and recommend lifestyle vaccines that are suitable for your pet’s unique situation:
Bordetella and Influenza for dogs:
These diseases can be easily contracted in places that dogs are exposed to other dogs, such as boarding or social settings.
Feline Leukemia for cats:
This is a disease that can be easily passed from one cat to another.
These non-core—or lifestyle—vaccines further tailor your pet’s protection to their specific living situation, preventing diseases associated with regional, lifestyle, and latent risks.
Vaccinations Throughout Your Pet’s Life
As your pet ages, their lifestyle, environment, and risk factors may change. Regular health check-ups and vaccinations help ensure that your pet’s wellness is consistently maintained. During the annual wellness exam, we will recommend and, if needed, administer booster vaccinations to keep your pet’s protection up to date.
We invite you to meet with our compassionate veterinary team at Sarver Animal Hospital. Together, we can create a personalized vaccination plan that not only fits your pet’s unique needs but also aligns with your values and lifestyle.
Faqs
Frequently Asked Questions for Vaccination
Check out our Vaccination FAQs to understand the vital role vaccines play in protecting your pets from various diseases, helping you make informed decisions about their health care.
What Are the Core Vaccines for Pets?
Core vaccines are essential for all pets to protect against diseases that are highly contagious, can cause severe illness, and may be zoonotic (transmissible to humans). For dogs, core vaccines typically include canine distemper, parvovirus, rabies, and adenovirus. For cats, the core vaccines generally cover feline distemper, upper respiratory infections, and rabies.
At What Age Should My Pet Start Getting Vaccinated?
Puppies and kittens should begin their vaccination series at approximately 6-8 weeks of age. This series is crucial for building their immune system to defend against diseases. Your veterinarian will provide you with a vaccination schedule tailored to your pet’s breed, lifestyle, and regional risk factors.
How Often Do Pets Need Vaccinations?
After the initial series of vaccinations, pets typically require booster shots every 1-3 years, depending on the specific vaccine. Annual wellness exams at your veterinary clinic are the perfect opportunity to update any necessary vaccinations and discuss your pet’s overall health.
Are Pet Vaccinations Safe?
Yes, vaccinations are thoroughly tested and monitored for safety. While some pets might experience mild side effects like temporary soreness or lethargy, the benefits of vaccinations in preventing serious diseases far outweigh these minor discomforts. Always talk to your veterinarian about any concerns you might have.
What Are Lifestyle Vaccines?
Lifestyle vaccines are non-core vaccines that are given based on a pet’s particular risk factors, which include exposure to certain environments or specific lifestyle aspects. For instance, lyme vaccination for dogs that hike often, or bordetella for dogs that stay in kennels.
How Do I Know Which Vaccines My Pet Needs?
Your vet will assess your pet’s individual needs based on factors such as age, breed, health status, lifestyle, and travel habits to recommend the appropriate vaccinations. Partnering closely with your veterinarian is the best way to ensure your pet receives the necessary vaccinations for their health and wellbeing.
Can I Visit Parks or Socialize My Pet Before They Are Fully Vaccinated?
It’s best to limit your pet’s exposure to unvaccinated animals and public places where communicable diseases are more likely to be present until your pet has completed their initial vaccination series. This helps to minimize the risk of disease while their immune system is still developing.