August is National Immunization Awareness Month. Serving as a reminder of the importance of disease prevention for companion animals, this month-long campaign continues to have a huge impact on pets and the people who love them. Adherence to the recommended vaccine schedule has a powerful effect on wild and stray animals, as well. Protecting and preserving your pet’s health is possible with pet vaccinations, and we’re here to help inspire and educate.
Celebrate Immunity
Pet vaccinations not only keep your pet healthy, but have the potential to influence everyone else’s health, too. Zoonotic diseases, such as Rabies, can be transmitted from animals to people.
Designed to trigger a response by the immune system, pet vaccinations prepare for future infections by helping to produce antibodies to a specific disease. If infected, reactions can be less severe or completely thwarted. In short, having your pet fully vaccinated can have an effect on overall quality of life and can improve longevity.
Context Clues
We take a close look at a pet’s lifestyle before designing their vaccination schedule. Depending on their risk level for potential exposure, we make adjustments intended to give them maximum protection. To safeguard your pet’s health, request an appointment to create a vaccine schedule that minimizes any gaps in full protection.
Core Vaccines
Core vaccines are a major facet of overall pet wellness. Young animals receive antibodies through their mother’s milk, but after they are weaned their natural immunity to infectious diseases does, too. Puppies and kittens may receive vaccines as early as six weeks of age.
Boostered around the first birthday and then every three years, core vaccines protect both pets and people alike. Pet vaccinations must be maintained so they do not eventually become vulnerable.
Core vaccines for dogs include:
- Rabies
- DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus)
Cat core vaccines include:
- Rabies
- FVRCP (feline viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, feline Panleukopenia)
- Feline Calicivirus
- Feline Herpesvirus
What’s Up With Non-Core Vaccines?
A pet’s risk of contracting a contagious and potentially deadly disease is very real. Non-core pet vaccinations are customized for a pet’s unique needs. Depending on their lifestyle, geographical location, and risk level, some non-core vaccines may be needed to fully protect their health from the following:
- Bordetella (canine and feline)
- Leptospirosis
- Borrelia (Lyme disease)
- Leukemia virus
- Feline chlamydia
- FELV/FIV
- Rattlesnake vaccine (canine only)
Low-Cost Pet Vaccinations
The pets we love and care for deserve protection from preventable illnesses. To help our growing community handle the responsibility of pet ownership, we offer a regular Low-Cost Vaccine Clinic every Saturday during regular business hours. No appointment is needed and exams aren’t required. We also offer microchip services, nail trims, and anal gland expression.
Our caring, compassionate staff members are always happy to assist you with questions or concerns regarding your pet’s health, behavior, lifestyle, and wellness. Feel free to call us at (951) 461-4100.
Thank you for joining us in August for National Immunization Awareness Month.