Cat & Dog Vaccinations in Lake City, FL
Cat and dog vaccinations are very important for the long-term health of your pet. Vaccines protect them against common, dangerous diseases that can take a serious toll on their health. At Lake City Animal Hospital, we follow guidelines set by the American Animal Hospital Association and the American Association of Feline Practitioners to minimize the risk of over-vaccination and maximize protection. Our veterinarian will design a personal vaccination protocol for every patient to meet their unique needs. Call us at (386) 755-0236 to schedule an appointment today.
Is your pet current on their vaccines?
Schedule a visit today to get them on track.
Or call us at (386) 755-0236.
Vaccination Timeline for Dogs & Cats
Puppies and kittens will start a vaccination series during their first year of life to build up their immunity. Following their first year, adult dogs and cats will need routine vaccination booster in order to maintain immunity. Most vaccines are annual, yet some are triennial and others still are needed semiannually. At our Lake City, FL animal hospital, our veterinarian will discuss the proper vaccination schedule for your pet to suit their unique needs and reduce the risk of over-vaccination.
Which Cat & Dog Vaccinations Are Necessary?
Some cat and dog vaccinations are considered “core” and these are recommended for every cat and dog due to the prevalence and high mortality rate of the diseases they protect against. These vaccines include the rabies vaccine for dogs and cats and the combination canine and feline distemper vaccines.
Rabies
Rabies is a serious viral infection that affects the nervous system, causing erratic behavior, foamy discharge from the mouth, unusual aggression, and a fever. Once symptoms are present, the disease is always fatal. Furthermore, rabies is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. Due to the high danger of this disease, the rabies vaccine is required in the state of Florida for all dogs and cats.
Distemper
The combination distemper vaccine for dogs (DHPP) includes distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza. All of theses disease are especially contagious and have the potential to be fatal, especially to young or old pets and those with underlying health conditions. Distemper and parvo are the two more common and more dangerous diseases, and so the combination vaccine is highly recommended for all dogs.
For cats, the FVRCP vaccine is a combo vaccine that includes rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia (feline distemper). Panleukopenia is actually caused by the feline parvovirus, and it is highly contagious, and in the past, was the leading cause of death in cats. Today, with the prevalence of vaccines, this disease is considered rare.
Lifestyle Vaccines for Lake City, FL Pets
In addition to the core vaccines listed above, we also provide lifestyle vaccines that are only necessary if your pet’s lifestyle puts them at risk of exposure to the disease. Some of the lifestyle vaccines we offer include:
Dog Vaccines
- Bordetella (kennel cough) – A vaccine for dogs that is often required by boarding facilities to the highly contagious nature of this respiratory disease. Recommended for dogs who board often, are groomed, or visit the dog park.
- Leptospirosis – A bacterial infection spread through contact with soil or water that has been contaminated with an infected animal’s urine. Recommended for dogs who are often outdoors in wildlife areas.
- Lyme disease – A tick-borne illness spread through a bite from the deer tick. Recommended for dogs who hike in tick-infested areas
- Canine influenza – A flu-like illness that is highly contagious. Recommended for dogs who are often in social environments with other dogs.
Cat Vaccines
- Feline Leukemia – A highly contagious and fatal disease that spreads easily between cats’ saliva, nasal discharge and other bodily fluids. Recommended for outdoor cats.