How Safe are Vaccines for Dogs and Cats?
As a loving pet owner, you want to protect your companion from as many risks as possible. Like human vaccines, pet vaccines may also come with rare side effects. To prevent these side effects as best we can, we space out the booster shots in a vaccine series and recommend against lifestyle-based vaccines that may not be relevant to your pet’s particular lifestyle. Over-vaccinating can increase an animal’s risk for a vaccine reaction, so our doctors take extreme care to create tailored vaccination schedules for all our patients.
Cat and Dog Vaccinations We Recommend In Berrien County, MI
Our rabies vaccine protects against the deadly rabies virus, which is often carried by bats, raccoons, and foxes. In addition to being fatal 100% of the time, rabies can also be transmitted to humans.
Here in the state of Michigan, the rabies vaccine is required by law for both dogs and cats.
Rabies
(DOGS AND CATS)
Canine distemper is another essential vaccine for dogs. In addition to offering protection against distemper, this combination vaccine also protects against parvo, parainfluenza, and hepatitis. Canine distemper is a highly lethal virus that can spread quickly among dogs in close quarters.
Canine Distemper
(DOGS ONLY)
FVRCP is a combination vaccine that protects against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia.
FVRCP
(CATS ONLY)
The Bordetella vaccine is usually required by boarding kennels, groomers, and dog parks to prevent the spread of kennel cough, a highly contagious upper-respiratory virus. Symptoms include a persistent dry cough, a runny nose, fever, and loss of appetite.
Bordetella/Kennel Cough
(DOGS)
Does your dog spent lots of time outdoors, around bodies of water and in areas frequented by wildlife? They could be at an increased risk for leptospirosis, a zoonotic disease caused by Leptospira bacteria, often found in puddles, ponds, and damp soil. Symptoms may include fever, lameness, lack of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Leptospirosis
(DOGS)
Lyme disease is another zoonotic disease that can affect dogs and humans in equal measure. The deer tick is the prime carrier of the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria which can cause Lyme disease infection. Clinical signs of Lyme disease include lameness, inflamed joints, fatigue, and decreased appetite.
Lyme Disease
(DOGS)
Feline leukemia is a feline retrovirus that weakens the immune system and puts cats at risk for other serious diseases. Kittens are most at risk for infection, but adult cats may also be at risk if they spend time outside and encounter other cats. Clinical signs which might indicate FeLV include loss of appetite, poor coat condition, weight loss, fever, mouth inflammation (stomatitis), and diarrhea.
Feline Leukemia
(CATS)
To learn more about our vaccine options and to discuss your pet’s vaccine needs, contact Village Vet today.