At Wausau Animal Hospital, we want the very best for your pets. After all, your dogs and cats are beloved family members, and your family deserves to be as healthy and happy as possible. Our veterinarians in Wausau work hard to ensure a comprehensive preventative care protocol that includes annual pet vaccinations for dogs and cats of all ages.
If your dog or cat is behind on their shots – or your puppy or kitten needs their first round of vaccines – it’s time to visit our pet clinic in Wausau. Here’s everything you need to know about protecting your pets from rabies, distemper, and other devastating diseases with pet vaccines.
Cat Vaccinations
Adult cats need vaccinations to keep their immune systems boosted, too. While some feline vaccines are available in three-year formulas, others must be administered annually, so your cat will need shots every year no matter what. We recommend the following core cat vaccinations for every cat:
- Rabies – Every cat needs lifelong rabies protection (even indoor-only cats who may escape someday) because this highly contagious neurological disease is always fatal and still transmitted by local wildlife
- FVRCP – This combination vaccine prevents three different viruses: rhinotracheitis (AKA feline herpesvirus type 1), feline calicivirus, and panleekopenia (AKA feline distemper), all of which are contagious and common among cats
Some cats are also good candidates for additional vaccines, known as non-core pet vaccines. If your cat spends time outdoors and/or with other animals, make sure your vet knows because they may recommend one or more of these non-core cat vaccinations:
- Bordetella – A highly contagious upper respiratory problem
- Chlamydiosis – A bacterial infection that causes respiratory problems like a whooping cough
- Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) – Virus that gradually attacks the immune system and shortens lifespans
- Feline Leukemia-A virus that attacks the immune system and shortens life span. This is the most common cause of cancer and may cause blood disorders.
Dog Vaccinations
Whether your dog is young or old, active or lazy, they are vulnerable to a few devastating – but totally preventable – diseases. Make sure your dog’s records are always up to date, including recent vaccinations for the following diseases:
- Rabies- did you not watch Old Yeller?
- Canine Parvovirus – Serious intestinal illness that is most common among young dogs
- Distemper – An incurable viral disease carried by multiple wild animals
- Canine Hepatitis – A serious viral disease that infects the organs and can be transmitted by wild animals’ bodily fluids
- Leptospirosis- A bacterial disease that causes liver and kidney failure, spread in the urine of affected wildlife, and can be spread to humans
We may also recommend non-core vaccinations for dogs who lead active outdoor lifestyles or share quarters with other people’s dogs on a regular basis. Ask your veterinarian if your dog is a good candidate for any of the following vaccines:
- Canine Influenza – This annual shot prevents the canine flu for more vulnerable dogs
- Leptospirosis – A bacterial infection transmitted through the bloodstream
- Lyme Disease – Most commonly transmitted by ticks in low-lying brush
- Bordetella -- Also known as “a kennel cough”, because this respiratory infection is common at boarding facilities and shelters. This is typically required for dogs staying at a boarding facility or doggy day cares.
Vaccines for Puppies and Kittens
Our youngest pets are incredibly vulnerable to common infections and diseases, and their bodies are still too weak to fight them off, especially in the first few months of life. Vaccinations give them important antibodies to increase their chances of thriving. We usually recommend the first vaccinations at six to eight weeks. These first vaccines will need to be boostered a few more times as recommended by the veterinarian.
Schedule Your Next Pet’s Vaccinations at Wausau Animal Hospital
Is your dog or cat ready for their next round of vaccines? Don’t wait any longer to make sure they’re protected. Contact 715-845-9637 to schedule an appointment at our animal hospital in Wausau, WI.