We offer a full range of vaccinations to protect your pets from common, debilitating, and serious diseases.
Canine Distemper: This is a viral disease that is easily spread through direct contact and contact with bodily fluids or contaminated food and water. Puppies are the most susceptible to the disease and also have the highest mortality rate from severe cases or complications from the disease. Vaccinations have proven to be effective, so it is important to have your puppy vaccinated. The disease can be treated if contracted, but requires quarantining your dog from other dogs for many months, and can result in some long term health problems.
Parvovirus: This disease is more commonly referred to as “parvo” and is one of the leading causes of viral infections in dogs. It is highly contagious and transmitted by direct or indirect contact with contaminated feces. There are cardiac and intestinal forms of the disease, both of which are fatal in most cases when left untreated. The vaccination is highly recommended and is given in a series of shots starting when the puppy is about 8 weeks old.
Leptospirosis: This is a serious bacterial disease that infects domestic animals, wildlife and humans. The bacteria are spread through the urine of infected animals and can survive for weeks to months in soil and surface waters (lakes, streams, puddles). Leptospirosis brings on symptoms of fever, vomiting, loss of appetite, and depression and it can lead to chronic kidney or liver disease. Some dogs have allergic reactions to this vaccine. However, due to the serious nature of the disease, we still recommend it for the majority of dogs.
Canine Bordetella (Kennel Cough) Bordetella is a bacteria that is one of the causes of kennel cough. This vaccine is recommended for any dog that is kenneled, groomed or in dog obedience classes or shows.
Canine Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is transmitted from ticks. These small insects live in wooded areas and areas with tall, overgrown grass or brush. Lyme disease has become more prevalent in our state over the past few years and we strongly recommend monthly tick prevention (ie Advantix or Frontline) for every dog in our practice. We also recommend the Lyme vaccine in those dogs that are consistently exposed to ticks, whether in their yard or by hiking or hunting.
Rabies (see below)
Cats
All cats should be vaccinated to prevent harmful and potentially life-threatening diseases. The types of vaccines your cat should be given will vary based on the lifestyle of your cat. If your cat lives in the house and does not come into contact with other cats, only the FVRCP and Rabies vaccines are recommened. If your cat spends time outside and around other cats, we also recommend leukemia vaccinations.
Rabies
Rabies is a disease nearly everyone has heard of. It is contracted when an animal is bitten by or exposed to the saliva of another animal that has been infected. Rabies vaccinations are required in New Hampshire for cats and dogs. Even if you have an indoor cat, they should be vaccinated in case they get out, or by chance an animal were to get into your house. If a human is possibly exposed to rabies through the bite of an unvaccinated animal, the animal will either need to be quarantined for an extended period of time (at the owner's expense) or euthanized for testing. It is much easier to keep your pet up-to-date on their rabies vaccine.
Feline Panleukopenia Virus
The more common name for this virus is “distemper”. It is a highly contagious disease which is why vaccination is recommended. Symptoms include fever, seizures, loss of appetite, and possibly death. Kittens are born with a natural immunity for the first few weeks of their lives. Vaccinations should start at around 8 weeks old and continue every 3-4 weeks for a total of three vaccinations. Your cat should also receive a booster vaccination every 1-3 years going forward.
Feline Rhinotracheitis
Caused by the herpes virus, rhinotracheitis is an upper respiratory infection that is highly contagious. The infection could prove to be fatal in young kittens, so the vaccination is strongly recommended. It is part of the three-way "distemper" vaccine that your kitten and adult cat receives.
Feline Calicivirus
Calicivirus is a virus that causes an upper respiratory infection. It is very contagious and symptoms include fever, gum disease, mouth ulcers, and sneezing. More advanced forms of the virus are severe and can cause fatality. Cats do not need to exhibit symptoms in order to transmit the disease to other cats. The contagious nature of this disease makes it important for your cat to receive a vaccination. It is included in the "distemper" vaccine that your cat receives.
Feline Leukemia Virus
This is another virus that is spread through direct contact with an infected cat, usually through bite wounds. For this reason the vaccine is highly recommended for outdoor cats, or cats that are frequently in contact with other cats. All cats and kittens should be tested for the virus when first adopted. Like all vaccines, there are some potential side effects. A small percentage of cats developed cancerous sarcomas where they were injected with the vaccine. Because this disease has no treatment and is fatal to cats, we still recommend it as a yearly vaccine for outdoor cats.