Vaccinations for Dogs and Cats
Experts agree that widespread use of pet vaccinations within the last century has prevented death and disease in millions of animals. Vaccinations protect your pet from highly contagious and deadly diseases and improve your pet’s overall quality of life. Here are five reasons to vaccinate your pets:
- 1. Vaccinations prevent many pet illnesses.
- 2. Vaccinations can help avoid costly treatments for diseases that can be prevented.
- 3. Vaccinations prevent diseases that can be passed between animals and also from animals to people.
- 4. Diseases prevalent in wildlife, such as rabies and distemper, can infect unvaccinated pets.
- 5. In many areas, local or state ordinances require certain vaccinations of household pets.
Check for availability through walk-in services and/or by appointment at your local clinic.
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General Guidelines for Pet Vaccinations
Puppies and kittens should begin their shots between 6-8 weeks of age. Each booster should be given every 3-4 weeks until the puppy or kitten is 16 weeks of age. It is recommended that puppies and kittens receive at least 3 boosters. Puppies and kittens over 8 weeks of age should be dewormed every 2 weeks until they begin heartworm preventative.
The Kennel Cough vaccine should be given 3-7 days prior to boarding depending on your boarding facility’s requirement. The vaccine is only good for 6 months. First time kennel cough vaccines should be boosted 2 weeks later.
The feline leukemia vaccine does not treat leukemia. Our vets recommend you test your cat before administering the vaccine. If your cat is exclusively indoors you may choose to update the vaccine every 2-3 years. Outdoor cats should be vaccinated every year for feline leukemia.
Rabies is required by law for pets over 12 weeks of age. If given twice in a twelve-month period, the vaccine is good for 3 years. Otherwise it expires yearly.
Vaccines should be boosted yearly until your cat or dog has been deemed by a veterinarian to be too old to benefit or has a health condition that would be affected by vaccine boosting.
Never give a sick animal vaccines. Vaccinating for a disease the animal already has does not treat it or help. It brings down their immune system and can make the animal sicker.
Heartworm pills should be started after your dog turns twelve weeks old but before he or she is 6 months old. A test is required for dogs over 6 months of age. Once your dog has been tested, P.E.T.S. can prescribe 12 months of preventative to your dog. A test is required every year to renew the prescription. Pills should be given monthly and all year long. Do NOT stop administering heartworm pills during winter months. Heartworm disease is a year-round threat in Texas. Furthermore, heartworm pills prevent your dog from contracting many other types of worms that are native to Texas that can also be transmitted to humans. A worm-free dog is a happy dog.
If you have tested or purchased heartworm preventative from a different veterinarian, P.E.T.S. can sell you a 6 month supply of preventative if you bring proof of the test and proof that your dog has been on preventative for 6 months.
Heartworm disease is FATAL. It is a disgusting and slow death that can be prevented by an inexpensive monthly preventative. Indoor dogs are at risk as well. Heartworm treatment is expensive and hard on your pet. Please keep your dogs on heartworm preventative all year long.
Drontal Plus treats hook worms, round worms, tape worms,and whip worms. It may not be given to pregnant females, cats under 4 weeks or weighing less than 1.5 lbs, or puppies under 3 weeks or less than 2 pounds.
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