Pet Vaccines in Auburn, AL

Vaccines for Dogs

Rabies Virus – Required every year by state law

Parvo Virus – Critical (particularly for younger dogs)

Canine Distemper Virus/ Canine Adenovirus-2 – Critical (particularly for younger dogs)

Parainfluenza Virus/Bordetella Bronchiseptica aka “Kennel Cough” – Highly recommended for all dogs that interact with other dogs, e.g. go to boarding, daycare, dog parks or the groomer. Kennel Cough is highly contagious and can even be spread on people’s clothes from one dog to another. We feel all dogs without other health concerns should be vaccinated.

Leptospirosis – Recommended for dogs that spend a significant amount of time outdoors, particularly with areas of standing water (even temporary). Leptospirosis is a bacterial pathogen that causes kidney and liver disease. It is an emerging disease spread in the urine of wildlife such as deer, raccoons, opossums, etc. Leptospirosis can be transmitted to any mammal including people.

Canine Influenza Virus (CIV) – We recommend discussing the merits of vaccination on a case-by-case basis. There are two strains, H3N8 and H3N2. CIV is not seasonal like human strains, but regional outbreaks can occur. The vaccines are recommended for dogs that spend a lot of time around other dogs. CIV is not as prevalent as Kennel Cough, but symptoms can be more severe. I vaccinate my own dogs against it.

Vaccines for Cats

Feline Rhinotracheitis (Herpes), Calici, Panleukopenia Viruses are commonly spread from cat to cat. Highly contagious, they can result in mild self-limiting sneezing, coughing, and eye discharge to life-long problems with respiratory illness, pneumonia, etc. Panleukopenia is a virus that mainly affects the gastrointestinal system with potentially life threatening diarrhea and vomiting. A particular threat to kittens! Given 3-4 times (depending upon age) as a kitten 3 weeks apart, again at 6 months and then every 3 years.

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) is an ultimately fatal disease spread by cat-to-cat contact (fighting, mating, grooming, sharing water sources). It can result in a weakened immune system or cancer formation. Given twice as a kitten 3 weeks apart, then yearly.

Rabies vaccine is required by state law. Rabies is contracted through contact with the saliva or fluid of an infected animal and is fatal. Given once as a kitten, then yearly.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) behaves similarly to the human AIDS virus but is NOT transmitted to people. Spread by fighting and other cat-to-cat contact, FIV damages the cat’s immune system and is ultimately fatal. Recommended only in high-risk outdoor cats. Please discuss your cat’s risk, as well as vaccine risks, with us.