Your pet is an important member of your family, and it is natural to want the very best, healthiest, and longest life for them. Vaccinations are a crucial part of your dog's health regimen, and you should consult with a veterinarian to develop a vaccine schedule specifically tailored to your dog's lifestyle and location. A regular vaccination program can support your pet throughout their life cycle. Our staff at Perkins Veterinary Clinic is well-versed in vaccination requirements for your dog's health and can assist you in developing a vaccination plan.
Core and Non-core
Two vaccines are considered so important that they are considered "core" vaccines for dogs. The rabies vaccine is mandated by law in Oklahoma once a dog reaches four months of age and must be regularly boosted. The distemper/adenovirus/parvovirus vaccine is administered to dogs of any age to prevent three severe diseases.
- Rabies is a neurological disease that is nearly always fatal to both people and other mammals. Due to the risk of rabies to the human population, the rabies vaccine is required. Despite this, many animals and even some people still succumb to rabies every year.
- Canine distemper is a serious disease that can cause damage to your dog's nervous system, kidneys, or lungs and can be fatal for dogs.
- Adenovirus, also known as canine hepatitis, can lead to liver and kidney infections in dogs.
- Parvovirus in puppies can cause digestive trauma, including diarrhea and vomiting, and can even result in death in severe cases. The vaccines for distemper, adenovirus, and parvovirus are typically combined into a single dose.
Other Concerns
In addition to the core vaccinations, we often recommend non-core vaccines based on your dog's age, home location, and lifestyle. We can administer vaccinations for diseases such as:
- Leptospirosis, a bacterial disease which thrives in warm wet environments especially during late summer and fall in the Midwest and Southwestern US. While not traditionally considered a core vaccine we do vaccinate for it because the vaccine is safe and effective and the disease is life threatening. The most common way for dogs to get leptospirosis is thru contaminated water such as puddles, ponds, lakes and slow-moving streams. Another source is contact with urine contaminated soil. Many different animals can spread leptospirosis thru their urine, mainly small mammals like rats and racoons, and even some livestock.
- Kennel cough, caused by Bordetella or canine parainfluenza. This highly contagious and serious respiratory disease is often spread when dogs are boarded in kennels and can be combined with the distemper, adenovirus, and parvovirus vaccine in a single dose.
- Canine influenza, caused by two strains of the influenza virus. This vaccine is recommended for dogs that frequently interact with many other unfamiliar dogs.
Contact Our Veterinarians at Perkins Veterinary Clinic
If you are looking for a veterinarian near you in or around Stillwater for your pet's vaccination needs, consider Perkins Veterinary Clinic. We proudly serve the communities of Stillwater, Perkins, Cushing, and the surrounding areas, and we provide care for both large and small animals. We are proud members of the community and are always delighted to meet both our two-legged and four-legged neighbors. We would welcome the opportunity to showcase our clinic and the services we provide. Call today to schedule an appointment.
