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 ensure your young pets receive their puppy shots or kitten shots because their young immune systems are still developing and need protection to stay healthy. Puppy and kitten vaccinations are vital to keeping young pets strong and 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.
Core Dog & Cat Vaccinations
Which vaccines should your pet have? “Core” vaccines are those recommended—and possibly mandated by law—for most pets.
Core vaccines include:
- Rabies (dog and cat vaccines)
- DA2PPV – Distemper, Hepatitis, Adenovirus 2, Parvo and Parainfluenza (dog vaccine)
- FVRCP – Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus and Panleukopenia (cat vaccine)
Highly Recommended Pet Vaccines
Other non-core, but highly suggested vaccinations for cats include FIV for feline immunodeficiency virus and 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.
Indoor pets need their vaccines too
It’s also important to note that even pets who live primarily indoors should be vaccinated, as they can still be exposed to a disease. Your Strothertowne Pet Hospital veterinarian can advise you which vaccinations are required or recommended for your pet based on age, health, and lifestyle.
For more information about the dog and cat vaccines we offer, or to schedule an appointment for pet vaccines, call us at (816) 524-7200.