VACCINATIONS
Protecting with Essential Cat & Dog Vaccinations
When you get your pet vaccinated, you protect them from dangerous and highly contagious animal diseases. Some of them, like rabies and leptospirosis, can be spread to humans and rabies vaccination is required by law. At Metro Animal Hospital we customize cat and dog vaccinations for Weston and surrounding areas to avoid exposing your loved one to unnecessary viral or bacterial strains. Some vaccinations are considered “core” by the greater veterinary community and we advise all our patients to receive them. Some are more lifestyle specific and we’ll thoroughly discuss your pet’s habits and travel tendencies before we decide on what to protect them from.
Keeping A Regular Maintenance Schedule
It’s important to get puppies and kittens vaccinated during their first few months of life. Puppies and kittens receive powerful antibodies from their mother’s milk that protect their underdeveloped immune systems from disease. As they’re weaned and grow bigger, their immune systems are still yet to be fully developed and they’re more susceptible to illness. Adult pets should receive maintenance boosters either every year or every three years, depending on how often they’re outside, or if travel to foreign countries. Your pet’s wellness exam is the perfect time to update vaccinations in adult pets or start an immunization schedule. Puppies and kittens should receive scheduled boosters spaced several weeks apart to give them optimal protection.
What We Protect Your Pet From
“Core” pet vaccinations protect your loyal companion from a number of potentially lethal diseases. We’re able to protect dogs and cats from several diseases with just one shot.
“Core” vaccines for dogs include:
- Distemper
- Hepatitis
- Parainfluenza
- Parvovirus
- Rabies
“Core” vaccines for cats include:
- Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis
- Calicivirus
- Panleukopenia
- Rabies
Lifestyle-Dependent Vaccines
Other vaccines are dependent on your pet’s lifestyle. If your cat or dog is ever boarded, we may suggest they get vaccinated from Bordetella, or kennel cough. Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects dogs. It’s found in moist climates and standing water, so depending on how much your dog explores or travels, we may suggest getting them vaccinated for it. Lyme disease is also a threat to dogs and we’ll carefully discuss whether your pet needs this vaccination.