Prevent Disease With Pet Vaccinations
When your new puppy or kitten first comes to visit us at Altos Veterinary Clinic, we will begin to administer vaccinations, repeating them every 3–4 weeks until 4 months of age. These vaccinations are important, as immunization is the easiest and most effective way to prevent many diseases.
The vaccinations your pet receives are individually tailored by taking into account lifestyle and how much contact there will be with other animals. For example, if your dog loves to be outdoors or often joins you on hunting trips, vaccines to protect against rattlesnake venom and leptospirosis may be recommended. On the other hand, if your pet primarily stays at home but is frequently groomed and boarded, a bordetella, or kennel cough, vaccine is recommended.
Core vaccines help maintain your dog’s health and include:
- Distemper
- Parvovirus
- Adenovirus
- Rabies
Likewise, core vaccines for cats are:
- Rabies
- Panleukopenia virus
- Feline viral rhinotracheitis
- Feline calcivirus
The rabies vaccination is very important, not just because it is a legal requirement for pet ownership, but also with the resurgence of green spaces in cities, pets are more likely to be exposed to coyotes, foxes, skunks, and other wildlife that may carry the disease. The rabies vaccination will ensure that your pet stays safe when playing outdoors in the event that he or she comes into contact with wildlife.
Puppies and kittens will receive several rounds of vaccines to make sure their immune systems are protected and strengthened, as well as deworming for internal parasite prevention. Once they reach adulthood, vaccination is required once a year for some preventives and every 3 years for others. Each time you bring your pet in for a visit, we will review his or her individual immunization records.
Heartworm & Intestinal Parasite Prevention
Altos Veterinary Clinic will prescribe a monthly heartworm preventive medication for your pet to take year round. This medication also helps protect against intestinal parasites that can be a threat to people as well as animals. It is safe, inexpensive, and a positive step toward good health for you and your pet.
We are always available to answer your questions about disease and parasite prevention, so feel to ask at your pet’s next wellness visit or simply call our office and we will be happy to help.