Pet Vaccinations & Wellness Tests
Staying up-to-date with your pet’s vaccinations is just as important as it is for yourself and your children. Vaccines protect your pet from many serious – and often fatal – diseases. They also protect against contagious and transmissible diseases that pose risks to other animals and even humans.
Pet vaccines are developed under strict safety regulations and are proven to be safe and effective. Like human vaccines, they contain weak or partial versions of a given pathogen that then trigger your pet’s immune system to recognize and defend against that particular disease much more effectively. Experts agree that widespread use of vaccines within the last century has prevented disease and death in millions of animals. Many illnesses that used to be commonplace are now rarely seen at the veterinarian’s office – all thanks to vaccinations.
Our animal doctor stays up-to-date with your pet’s medical records and ensures that they receive the vaccinations they need at the appropriate time. This helps keep your pet continuously protected.
Is Your Pet Due for a Vaccination? Let Our Veterinarian Help!
Your pets’ wellness is one of our main focuses at Cornerstone Animal Clinic. We offer preventative medicine included in our annual examinations, vaccinations, and even annual testing. This is what we recommend for your furry family members to keep them feeling their best:
DOGS:
- Comprehensive Physical Examination – we recommend that this is done annually regardless of if there are any medical issues present
- Rabies Vaccination
- Required by Texas State Law
- Rabies is a contagious and almost always fatal viral disease that attacks the brain and central nervous system
- Transmitted by direct contact with saliva (usually from a bite wound)
- The Rabies vaccine is given when the dog is 12 weeks of age, then repeated one year after that, then every three years from then on
- Distemper Vaccination (done in combination with the Parvovirus vaccination)
- Distemper is an often fatal disease characterized by flu-like symptoms, and in later stages, neurological symptoms
- Distemper can be transmitted by contact with other sick animals and/or their environment. It can also be carried on clothing, can be spread through the air, and through contact with infected bodily fluids including contaminated food and water
- There is no specific treatment for distemper, patients are just given general supportive care.
- The Distemper/Parvo Vaccination is given in a series of puppy boosters, then one year after this series is completed, then every three years from then on
- Parvovirus Vaccination (done in combination with the Distemper vaccination)
- Parvovirus is characterized by severe bloody and smelly dehydrating diarrhea, fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, lethargy, and loss of appetite.
- Parvovirus can be transmitted by contact with other sick animals and their environment and can also be carried on clothing.
- The Distemper/Parvo Vaccination is given in a series of puppy boosters, then one year after this series is completed, then every three years from then on
- Bordetella (Kennel Cough) Vaccination
- Bordetella is a bacterial, infectious, tracheobronchitis
- Characteristics include a hacking cough, a sore throat, and possible vomiting
- This is easily transmitted by direct contact or through the air
- The Bordetella vaccine is given annually, but is boosted every 6 months for dogs who will be getting groomed or will be in a boarding facility
- Leptospirosis Vaccination
- Leptospirosis is a serious bacterial disease of dogs and multiple other animal species (raccoons, skunks, opossums, rats, mice, foxes, coyotes, squirrels, cows, pigs, horses, and deer) and can even be contracted by humans
- It is spread through the urine of the infected animal or even wet grass, soil, puddles, streams or ponds that have been contaminated with the urine of an infected animal
- The bacteria can even enter the body through a cut in the skin or through the mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth)
- Possible signs of Leptospirosis are: decreased appetite, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, jaundice, changes in urinary pattern or frequency
- If left untreated, the dog can go into kidney or liver failure and even die
- The Leptospirosis vaccine is done annually
- Heartworm Test
- Heartworms are spread by mosquitoes and live in the heart and the lungs of infected dogs and cats
- Heartworms can cause lung and heart failure and clotting of the arteries
- Heartworm disease is a serious and dangerous disease that can be prevented with one of the many varieties of heartworm preventions on the market today
- We do annual testing for heartworms regardless of if your dog is on a preventative or not
Intestinal Parasite/Fecal Testing—done annually to check for any intestinal parasites
Deworming for intestinal parasites—done annually to prevent the most common types of intestinal parasites
CATS:
- Comprehensive Physical Examination—we recommend that this is done annually regardless of if there are any medical issues present
- Rabies Vaccination
- Required by Texas State Law
- Rabies is a contagious and almost always fatal viral disease that attacks the brain and central nervous system
- Transmitted by direct contact with saliva (usually from a bite wound)
- The Rabies vaccine is given when the cat is 12 weeks of age, then annually after that
- FVRCP (Feline Distemper) Vaccination
- These are a very contagious group of respiratory diseases characterized by fever, loss of appetite, sneezing, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- The FVRCP Vaccination is given in a series of kitten boosters, then annually after this series is completed
- FeLV (Feline Leukemia) Vaccination
- Feline Leukemia is most commonly spread through contact with another infected cat
- We recommend the FeLV Vaccine annually for any cat who goes outside or has potential contact with outdoor cats
- Deworming for intestinal parasites—done annually to prevent the most common types of intestinal parasites
Preventative health care is essential for both you and your pet! Don’t hesitate to stop in and we’ll ensure that your animal receives all appropriate items that they need that will ensure its health & happiness.
If you’re interested in finding out more information, please feel free to give us a call today! Our team of trained professionals will be sure to answer any questions you may have about vaccinations for your pet.