Reliable Cat and Dog Vaccinations in Abbotsford, BC
Your pet is a beloved part of your family that you want to spend as much time with as you can. Vaccinations are one of the easiest ways to help your companion live a long and healthy life. Alpha Animal Hospital offers pet vaccines for your dogs and cats that will protect them from common illnesses and diseases impacting their health.
When you come in for an exam, we can conveniently give your pet vaccinations during the same appointment. Our knowledgeable team is highly qualified to help you understand which vaccines your animal needs and has the compassion to treat your pet with the care and respect they deserve. From kittens to senior dogs, we want to become your trusted partner in caring for all your pet's health needs. If you are looking for pet vaccines in Abbotsford, call our office today to schedule your appointment.
CALL US: (604) 859-6322 REQUEST APPOINTMENT
Benefits of Vaccinations
Vaccines are designed to stimulate your pet's immune system so that if your animal is exposed to the disease, their immune system can recognize and fight off the threat. Vaccinations are an important part of pet ownership, as not vaccinating your pet puts them at risk of contracting contagious and potentially deadly diseases. Some of the other benefits of animal vaccines include:
- Reducing the severity of contracted viruses
- Protecting you, your family, and other pets from contracting contagious illnesses
- Meeting local and state vaccination requirements
- Keeping your pet safe if you board, groom, or travel with them
By getting your cat or dog vaccinations at our office, you will also benefit from having all your records in one place. This makes it easy to ask for vaccination records whenever you need them and not have to worry about whether your pet is protected.
When Do My Pets Need Vaccines?
Our team will help you determine the best vaccination schedule for your pet depending on a variety of factors. We will consider your pet's age, medical history, environment, and lifestyle to determine which vaccines they need and how frequently. One of the most important factors determining how often your pet needs a vaccine is their age. Here are some general guidelines for what to expect:
- Puppies and kittens: As long as the mother has a healthy immune system, kittens and puppies receive antibodies from their mother's milk when nursing. Their immune system is still developing after this, so it's important to start vaccinating them between 6-8 weeks old. Initially, they will need multiple vaccines 3-4 weeks apart, with the final dose usually given around 16 weeks old.
- Adult cats and dogs: Typically, vaccines are given either yearly or every three years, depending on the type of vaccine and your pet's personal risk level. If you are travelling, we can also ensure that your pet's vaccinations are current and appropriate for boarding or wherever you travel.
Vaccinations for Dogs
The specific vaccinations we recommend for your dog will depend on their lifestyle and your geographic location. Some pet vaccines, called core vaccines, are necessary for all dogs based on their exposure risk, disease severity, or transmission risk to people. Some of the core vaccines we offer include:
- Rabies: This vaccine is required by law. Rabies is deadly to pets and people and is transmitted by bites from an infected animal.
- Canine Parvovirus: Also called parvo, this is a highly contagious disease spread through direct or indirect contact with an infected animal's feces. This means that even walking through the grass where an infected animal has been can transmit the disease. It causes severe illness and is especially deadly to puppies.
- Distemper: This airborne virus causes severe disease that can result in permanent brain damage, among other problems.
- Canine Hepatitis: Young dogs are particularly susceptible to severe disease from this illness. It can cause respiratory symptoms, decreased appetite, and low energy in mild cases. More severe cases, most common in puppies, are often fatal.
Vaccinations for Cats
Our recommended vaccines can help your cat live a long and comfortable life. Depending on your cat's age and lifestyle, such as if they regularly go outside, we may recommend additional vaccines to protect them. The core vaccines that we typically recommend for cats include:
- Rabies: This vaccine is required by law for cats as well. It can be transmitted by an infected animal bite and is fatal to humans and pets. Even if your cat is an indoor cat, this vaccine protects them if they escape or an infected animal enters your home.
- Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper): This disease is transmitted by a cat coming in direct or indirect contact with an infected cat, including food bowls, litterboxes, or toys. It weakens the immune system, which can result in other infections. In kittens, it can cause sudden death with no other symptoms.
- Feline Calicivirus: A very contagious upper respiratory condition that causes joint pain, oral ulcerations, fever, and rapid weight loss.
- Feline Herpesvirus: Also known as feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR), this is a contagious upper respiratory condition that may or may not show symptoms. Once infected, your cat continues to be a virus carrier, potentially having future flare-ups and spreading it to other cats.
Your Place for Pet Vaccines in Abbotsford
Animals can't talk to us to tell us something is wrong, so it can be easy to miss signs of health issues until they are severe. Alpha Animal Hospital can help protect your pet by vaccinating them against common severe illnesses so that they can live a happy and healthy life. We can develop a vaccine schedule that works best for you and your pet and keep track of what vaccines they need and when. With our thorough and knowledgeable staff, you can trust that your pet is in good hands. For cat and dog vaccinations in Abbotsford, contact our office today.
CALL US: (604) 859-6322 REQUEST APPOINTMENT
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