Pet Vaccinations Are Important to Prevent Disease

Vaccinations

Beginning when your new pet is about 6 to 8 weeks old, we start to will administer vaccinations. Immunization is the easiest and quickest way to prevent disease.

We always tailor the vaccinations your pet receives by taking into account his or her lifestyle and how much contact there will be with other animals. For example, if your dog loves to be outdoors or goes hunting with you, a preventive vaccine against rattlesnake venom and leptospirosis is recommended. On the other hand, if your pet is primarily an animal that stays at home, but is frequently groomed and boarded, kennel cough vaccine is recommended every 6 months.

Core vaccines help maintain your dog’s health and include:

• Distemper
• Parvovirus
• Hepatitis
• Rabies

Likewise, core vaccines for cats are:

• Rabies
• Feline distemper combination
• Feline leukemia for kittens

Most puppies and kittens require up to four rounds of vaccines to make sure the immune system is protected and strengthened, as well as deworming. The lifestyle of your pet is always taken into consideration when we decide what types of parasite prevention are needed.

Heartworm Prevention

Because heartworm is such a big problem, we want to make sure that your pet is protected against this easily preventable disease. Your pet will be tested for heartworm every year and Mountain View Animal Clinic will prescribe a monthly heartworm preventive medication for your pet to take year round.

Each time you bring your pet in for a visit, we will review his or her individualized records and vaccine boosters will be given as needed. We look forward to your questions about disease and parasite prevention, so feel free to bring them to your pet’s wellness visit or call our office.