Vaccinations
Pet vaccines are one of the best ways to safeguard your pet’s health. Vaccines are designed to protect your pets and family from a variety of dangerous and highly contagious diseases – some of which are zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted between animals and humans. At White Haven Veterinary Hospital, pet vaccines are an essential component of our preventative care services.
Are Vaccines Safe for Pets?
Vaccines are considered to be incredibly safe for pets, and the benefits far outweigh the potential risks. Although there is some risk of allergic reactions, actual adverse events are rare. Upon administering a vaccine, our veterinarians will make you aware of the signs of adverse reactions to look for. Additionally, we will only administer the vaccines deemed necessary for your pet’s health.
Core and Non-Core Pet Vaccinations
Pet vaccines are divided into two categories:
1. core vaccinations and 2. non-core vaccinations.
Core vaccines include those that are required by local law and those that are strongly recommended for all pets. Some core vaccines protect pets from diseases like rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and lyme.
Non-core vaccines are entirely elective and recommended on a case-by-case basis. Even though these vaccinations are labeled as non-core, most of them are still very important for your pet. Some non-core vaccines protect pets from contracting diseases like leptospirosis, bordetella, feline leukemia, and canine influenza.
Which Vaccines Does Your Pet Need?
While core vaccines are strongly recommended or required by law for all dogs and cats, non-core vaccines are administered on a case-by-case basis. Our veterinarians work with each patient and client to recommend a schedule of core and non-core vaccinations that will best protect your pet.
These recommendations are based on the pet’s lifestyle and exposure risk. For example, pets living in certain areas, pets that could potentially come into contact with wildlife, and pets that encounter lots of other cats and dogs at parks, boarding facilities, or even at the groomers might require additional vaccinations.
Our veterinarians will explain our non-core vaccine recommendations with you to determine the best course of preventative treatments for your cat or dog.
When to Vaccinate Pets
Puppies and kittens begin receiving immunizations between six and eight weeks of age, and they remain on a more frequent vaccination schedule for the first 6 months of life. In adulthood, cats and dogs typically require vaccination boosters annually or every three years, depending on the type of vaccinations administered.
Preventative Care and Wellness Exams for White Haven Pets
At White Haven Veterinary Hospital, our veterinarians strive to provide pets with excellence in wellness and preventative care. Wellness care and vaccines not only prevent pets from suffering from unpleasant symptoms and protect your family from contracting zoonotic diseases, but they’re also much less expensive than the typical cost of treating a serious illness after it’s been contracted.
To learn more about pet vaccines or to schedule an appointment for your pet’s next booster shots, we welcome you to contact us today.
