BLUE VALLEY ANIMAL HOSPITAL

A strict protocol for vaccinations is crucial to giving your new pet a head start for a long and healthy life.  It is important to maintain a 'schedule' when vaccinating in order to prevent any risk to your puppy for a variety of serious diseases.  We prefer to start vaccinating around 9 weeks, with boosters every third week for two-three visits.  We de-worm puppies twice, 3-4 weeks apart, to rid your pet of any and all parasites.  On the third visit, your puppy will receive a one year rabies vaccination, and will not require any other vaccinations for 1 year.  Puppies may have individual needs based on their history or their own unique needs, so the protocol may vary for your pet.  Be sure to ask about our 'puppy package' at your puppy's first visit.

After the initial puppy phase of vaccination is over, your dog will be vaccinated yearly:

Rabies: Rabies is a serious disease caused by a virus easily spread among animals.  Rabies is very common among local wildlife such as raccoons, possums and squirrels.   Humans can also retract rabies from the bite of an infected animal.  Symptoms include irritability, fever, headaches and can lead to seizures, hallucinations,  paralysis, and aggression.  Rabies is extremely fatal, especially to humans.  We offer a 1 year Rabies vaccination, or a 3 year Rabies vaccination.

 Bordetella: bordetella, or 'kennel cough', is a highly contagious bacterial virus among dogs.  We require the vaccination if your dog will be boarding with us, attending daycare, or grooming- and strongly recommend to all pets that socialize with other animals.  Kennel cough is spread through the air and causes a constant, dry, 'hacking', cough. 

 Distemper/parvo/corona or distemper/parvo/lepto is a single injection containing all 3 vaccinations

Distemper:  Distemper is a highly contagious viral disease found in dogs and  other mammals such as raccoons and ferrets.  Distemper is in the same group as the measles in humans, and can be spread among animals through saliva exchange, contact with respiratory secretions of an infected animal, urine, or fecal matter.  Many years ago, before vaccinations existed, distemper was the leading cause of death among dogs.  Distemper quickly infects the lymph nodes before spreading throughout the entire nervous system, and can cause lethargy, labored breathing and convulsions, and an angry, non fearful mentality in some animals.

Parvo: a highly contagious and often fatal disease found mostly in  young puppies.  Parvo more commonly manifests itself in the intestines causing diarrhea, loss of appetite, vomiting, and dehydration.  Parvo is very easily spread by contact with fecal matter from another dog that carries the virus, but may not show symptoms themselves, and by direct contact with an infected dog.  It would be very easy for a puppy to contract parvo from the dog park  if not vaccinated.

Corona: Corona is a highly contagious disease spread by contact with fecal matter in dogs.  It infects the gastrointestinal system and causes diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration.  Puppies are very susceptible to contracting this disease.

Leptospirosis: Leptospirosis is spread through urine, bites from an infected animal, or ingestion of infected tissue.  There are many viruses of the disease and occurs in many different animals such as dogs, livestock and pigs.  Leptospirosis can be fatal and symptoms include vomiting, high fever, shivering/shaking, and dehydration.

After the initial kitten vaccination phase is complete, your cat will be vaccinated against:

Rabies: Rabies is a serious disease caused by a virus easily spread among animals.  Rabies is very common among local wildlife such as raccoons, possums and squirrels.   Humans can also retract rabies from the bite of an infected animal.  Symptoms include irritability, fever, headaches and can lead to seizures, hallucinations,  paralysis, and aggression.  Rabies is extremely fatal, especially to humans.  We offer a 1 year Rabies vaccination, or a 3 year Rabies vaccination.

Distemper: Panleukopenia (distemper) in cats is a highly contagious viral disease that can be fatal.  The virus is extremely stable and can survive for long amounts of time and low temperatures.  It is prevalent throughout nature and wildlife, so most cats will be exposed within their first year of life.  Symptoms include lethargy, complete loss of appetite, vomiting, and dehydration.