Vaccinations
Vaccinations are critical to keeping pets healthy. They protect your pets from harmful and sometimes deadly diseases, which can be very costly to treat once contracted. Vaccinations are an essential investment toward your pet’s health. When it comes to sickness, prevention is key.
If you suspect that your pet is sick or is exhibiting symptoms of a disease, please visit your veterinarian immediately. Your pets can’t tell you what’s wrong with them, but you can most likely tell if they’re behaving abnormally. Leave nothing to chance.
VACCINATE YOUR PET
Make sure you are up-to-date on your pet's shots. Schedule a visit with your veterinarian or check out the List of Vet Clinics in Midland.
Disease to Vaccinate Against
Please take the time to learn more about diseases and vaccination. Arm yourself with knowledge so that you can best protect your pet.
Canine Diseases (Dogs & Puppies)
Below is a list of diseases that vaccines protect your dogs from.
PARVOVIRUS
The Canine Parvovirus (CPV) infection is a highly contagious viral illness that affects dogs. The virus manifests itself in two different forms. The more common form is the intestinal form, which is characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and lack of appetite (anorexia). The less common form is the cardiac form, which attacks the heart muscles of very young puppies, often leading to death. The incidence of canine parvovirus infections has been reduced radically by early vaccination in young puppies.
Symptoms: Watch out for these symptoms: Bloody diarrhea (often severe), Fever, Lethargy (lack of energy), Loss of appetite, Malaise (discomfort associated with illness), Rapid weight loss, Vomiting
How your dog get infected: Parvo is transmitted in two ways. The first is by direct contact through the nose and mouth with infected poop, which can happen when a dog sniffs or licks a surface or another dog that has been contaminated with feces. The second is indirect transmission which occurs when a puppy comes into contact with a contaminated person, object, or environment. The virus can survive on clothing, equipment, on human skin, and in the environment.
Who is most susceptible: All dogs are at risk for developing canine parvovirus. The majority of cases are seen in puppies that are between six weeks and six months old. Unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated adult dogs are also at risk.
DISTEMPER
Canine distemper is a contagious and serious viral illness with no known cure. The disease affects dogs, and certain species of wildlife, such as raccoons, wolves, foxes, ferrets and skunks. Canine distemper belongs to the Morbillivirus class of viruses, and is a relative of the measles virus, which affects humans, the Rinderpest virus that affects cattle, and the Phocine virus that causes seal distemper. All are members of the Paramyxoviridae family.
Symptoms: The first signs of canine distemper include sneezing, coughing and thick mucus coming from the eyes and nose. Fever, lethargy, sudden vomiting and diarrhea, depression and/or loss of appetite are also symptoms of the virus.
How your dog gets infected: The virus is passed from dog to dog through direct contact with fresh urine, blood or saliva. Sneezing, coughing and sharing food and water bowls are all possible ways for the virus to be passed on.
Who is most susceptible: Young, unvaccinated puppies and non-immunized older dogs tend to be more susceptible to the disease.
BORDETELLA
Kennel cough, the common name given to infectious canine tracheobronchitis, is a highly contagious respiratory disease among dogs. As the name suggests, it is typified by inflammation of the trachea and bronchi. This disease is found throughout the world and is known to infect a high percentage of dogs at least once during their lifetime. It is also sometimes referred to as bordetellosis.
Symptoms: A persistent honking, hacking, and/or gagging cough, fever and lethargy (tiredness) may also occur. Sometimes, a whitish or greenish nasal discharge is present.
How your dog gets infected: Bordetella is highly contagious, easily transmitted through the air or direct contact, and resistant to destruction in the environment.
Who is most susceptible: Young puppies often suffer the most severe complications that can result from this disease since they have immature immune systems. Also at increased risk are older dogs, who may have decreased immune capabilities, pregnant bitches, who also have lowered immunity, and dogs with preexisting respiratory diseases.
RABIES
Rabies is a severe, and often fatal, viral polioencephalitis that specifically affects the gray matter of the dog's brain and its central nervous system (CNS). The primary way the rabies virus is transmitted to dogs in the United States is through a bite from a disease carrier: foxes, raccoons, skunks, and bats. Infectious virus particles are retained in a rabid animal's salivary glands to better disseminate the virus through their saliva.
Symptoms: Excessive salivation (hypersalivation), or frothy saliva, constant irritability/changes in attitude and behavior, excessive excitability, Unusual shyness or aggression, Muscular lack of coordination, Change in tone of bark, Inability to swallow, Paralysis, Seizures, fever, hydrophobia(aversion to water), jaw is dropped, pica(eating non-food items like rocks or dirt)
How your dog gets infected: Rabies spreads via biting and saliva or blood transmission.
Who is most susceptible: Unvaccinated dogs bitten or scratched by any rabid animal (another dog, cat or either a wild, carnivorous mammal or a bat that is not available for testing) should be regarded as having been exposed to rabies. Once infected, the rabid dog should be placed in strict isolation for 6 months and vaccinated 1 month before being released.
Feline Diseases (Cats & Kittens)
Below is a list of diseases that vaccines protect your cats from.
FELINE PANEUKOPENIA (FPV)
Also known as Feline Distemper is a highly contagious and life-threatening viral disease in the cat population. This virus affects the rapidly dividing blood cells in the body, primarily the cells in the intestinal tract, bone marrow, and in the stem cells of the developing fetus. Because the blood cells are under attack, this virus can lead to an anemic condition, and it can open the body to infections from other illnesses – viral or bacterial.
Symptoms: Vomiting, Diarrhea/bloody diarrhea, Dehydration, Weight loss, High fever, Anemia (due to lowered red blood cells), Rough hair coat, Depression, Complete loss of interest in food, Hiding, Neurological symptoms (e.g., lack of coordination)
How cats get infected: Cats can shed the virus in their urine, stool, and nasal secretions; infection occurs when susceptible cats come in contact with these secretions, or even the fleas from infected cats.
Who is most susceptible: While cats of any age may be infected with the feline parvovirus that causes FP, young kittens, sick cats, and unvaccinated cats are most susceptible. It is most commonly seen in cats 3-5 months of age; death from FP is more common at this age.
FELINE LEUKEMIA VIRUS (FeLV)
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) is a disease that impairs the cat's immune system and causes certain types of cancer. This virus infection is responsible for a majority of deaths in household cats, affecting all breeds.
Symptoms: Pale gums, Yellow color in the mouth and whites of eyes, Enlarged lymph nodes, Bladder, skin, or upper respiratory infections, Weight loss and/or loss of appetite, Poor coat condition, Progressive weakness and lethargy, Fever, Diarrhea, Breathing difficulty, Reproductive problems like sterility in unspayed female cats , Stomatitis – Oral disease that includes ulceration of gingiva
How cats get infected: The virus is shed in saliva, nasal secretions, urine, feces, and milk of infected cats. Cat-to-cat transfer of the virus may occur from a bite wound, during mutual grooming, and (rarely) through the shared use of litter boxes and feeding dishes.
Who is most susceptible: Males are more likely to contract the infection than females, and it is usually seen between the ages of one to six years old.
FELINE HERPESVIRUS (FHV-1)
Feline Upper Respiratory Infection of the nose and throat in cats, caused by, and also know as Feline Herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1).
How cats get infected: A cat becomes infected with this virus by direct contact with virus particles. The virus is excreted in saliva and in discharges from the eyes and nose of an infected cat. Therefore, an infection occurs when a susceptible cat comes into direct contact with an infected cat, or comes into contact with inanimate objects (called 'fomites') that have been contaminated with viral particles.
Who is most susceptible: Cats of all ages are susceptible, but kittens are at a higher risk and may be infected at about five weeks of age. Pregnant cats or those suffering from a lowered immunity due to a pre-existing disease are also at higher risk.
FELINE CALCIVIRUS (FCV)
Feline Calicivirus infection is a common respiratory disease in cats. The virus attacks the respiratory tract -- lungs and nasal passages -- the mouth, with ulceration of the tongue, the intestines, and the musculoskeletal system.
Symptoms: Loss of appetite , Eye discharge, Nasal discharge, Development of ulcers on tongue, hard palate, tip of nose, lips or around claws, Pneumonia, Difficulty breathing after development of pneumonia, Arthritis, Lameness, Painful walk, Fever, Bleeding from various sites
How cats get infected: Cats typically acquire feline calicivirus (FCV) after coming into contact with other infected cats, such as in a cattery, boarding facility or shelter. But because FCV disinfectants are not very effective against FCV, the virus may persist in the environment, which means that cats may come into contact with it without known exposure to other cats.
Who is most susceptible: It is highly communicable in unvaccinated cats, and is commonly seen in multicat facilities, shelters, poorly ventilated households, and breeding catteries.
RABIES
Rabies is a viral disease that specifically affects a cat's central nervous system (CNS). The primary way the rabies virus is transmitted to cats in the United States is through a bite from a disease carrier: foxes, raccoons, skunks, and bats. Infectious virus particles are retained in a rabid animal's salivary glands to better disseminate the virus through their saliva.
Symptoms: Changes in behavior (including aggression, restlessness and lethargy), increased vocalization, loss of appetite, weakness, disorientation, paralysis, seizures and even sudden death.
How cats get infected: Rabies is usually transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal and is most commonly spread through bites. It is still possible to get rabies from a cat scratch or a scratch from any infected animal, but it is less common
Who is most susceptible: Any unvaccinated cat bitten or scratched by any rabid animal (another cat, dog or either a wild, carnivorous mammal or a bat that is not available for testing) should be regarded as having been exposed to rabies.
RABIES IN HUMANS
This severe, sometimes fatal, disease is one that can be transmitted to humans. If you suspect your pet has rabies, be very careful not to get in contact with their saliva or blood and take them to see the veterinarian immediately.
If you’ve been exposed to the rabies virus, please see your doctor immediately. You would need a series of injections to prevent an infection from setting in - rabies immunoglobulin, which gives you an immediate dose of rabies antibodies to fight the infection.
To avoid the risk of getting rabies in your household, get your pet/s vaccinated against rabies yearly!
Read more about Rabies in humans and animals here.
Below is a list of diseases that vaccines protect your cats from.
FELINE PANEUKOPENIA (FPV)
Also known as Feline Distemper is a highly contagious and life-threatening viral disease in the cat population. This virus affects the rapidly dividing blood cells in the body, primarily the cells in the intestinal tract, bone marrow, and in the stem cells of the developing fetus. Because the blood cells are under attack, this virus can lead to an anemic condition, and it can open the body to infections from other illnesses – viral or bacterial.
Symptoms: Vomiting, Diarrhea/bloody diarrhea, Dehydration, Weight loss, High fever, Anemia (due to lowered red blood cells), Rough hair coat, Depression, Complete loss of interest in food, Hiding, Neurological symptoms (e.g., lack of coordination)
How cats get infected: Cats can shed the virus in their urine, stool, and nasal secretions; infection occurs when susceptible cats come in contact with these secretions, or even the fleas from infected cats.
Who is most susceptible: While cats of any age may be infected with the feline parvovirus that causes FP, young kittens, sick cats, and unvaccinated cats are most susceptible. It is most commonly seen in cats 3-5 months of age; death from FP is more common at this age.
FELINE LEUKEMIA VIRUS (FeLV)
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) is a disease that impairs the cat's immune system and causes certain types of cancer. This virus infection is responsible for a majority of deaths in household cats, affecting all breeds.
Symptoms: Pale gums, Yellow color in the mouth and whites of eyes, Enlarged lymph nodes, Bladder, skin, or upper respiratory infections, Weight loss and/or loss of appetite, Poor coat condition, Progressive weakness and lethargy, Fever, Diarrhea, Breathing difficulty, Reproductive problems like sterility in unspayed female cats , Stomatitis – Oral disease that includes ulceration of gingiva
How cats get infected: The virus is shed in saliva, nasal secretions, urine, feces, and milk of infected cats. Cat-to-cat transfer of the virus may occur from a bite wound, during mutual grooming, and (rarely) through the shared use of litter boxes and feeding dishes.
Who is most susceptible: Males are more likely to contract the infection than females, and it is usually seen between the ages of one to six years old.
FELINE HERPESVIRUS (FHV-1)
Feline Upper Respiratory Infection of the nose and throat in cats, caused by, and also know as Feline Herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1).
How cats get infected: A cat becomes infected with this virus by direct contact with virus particles. The virus is excreted in saliva and in discharges from the eyes and nose of an infected cat. Therefore, an infection occurs when a susceptible cat comes into direct contact with an infected cat, or comes into contact with inanimate objects (called 'fomites') that have been contaminated with viral particles.
Who is most susceptible: Cats of all ages are susceptible, but kittens are at a higher risk and may be infected at about five weeks of age. Pregnant cats or those suffering from a lowered immunity due to a pre-existing disease are also at higher risk.
FELINE CALCIVIRUS (FCV)
Feline Calicivirus infection is a common respiratory disease in cats. The virus attacks the respiratory tract -- lungs and nasal passages -- the mouth, with ulceration of the tongue, the intestines, and the musculoskeletal system.
Symptoms: Loss of appetite , Eye discharge, Nasal discharge, Development of ulcers on tongue, hard palate, tip of nose, lips or around claws, Pneumonia, Difficulty breathing after development of pneumonia, Arthritis, Lameness, Painful walk, Fever, Bleeding from various sites
How cats get infected: Cats typically acquire feline calicivirus (FCV) after coming into contact with other infected cats, such as in a cattery, boarding facility or shelter. But because FCV disinfectants are not very effective against FCV, the virus may persist in the environment, which means that cats may come into contact with it without known exposure to other cats.
Who is most susceptible: It is highly communicable in unvaccinated cats, and is commonly seen in multicat facilities, shelters, poorly ventilated households, and breeding catteries.
RABIES
Rabies is a viral disease that specifically affects a cat's central nervous system (CNS). The primary way the rabies virus is transmitted to cats in the United States is through a bite from a disease carrier: foxes, raccoons, skunks, and bats. Infectious virus particles are retained in a rabid animal's salivary glands to better disseminate the virus through their saliva.
Symptoms: Changes in behavior (including aggression, restlessness and lethargy), increased vocalization, loss of appetite, weakness, disorientation, paralysis, seizures and even sudden death.
How cats get infected: Rabies is usually transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal and is most commonly spread through bites. It is still possible to get rabies from a cat scratch or a scratch from any infected animal, but it is less common
Who is most susceptible: Any unvaccinated cat bitten or scratched by any rabid animal (another cat, dog or either a wild, carnivorous mammal or a bat that is not available for testing) should be regarded as having been exposed to rabies.
RABIES IN HUMANS
This severe, sometimes fatal, disease is one that can be transmitted to humans. If you suspect your pet has rabies, be very careful not to get in contact with their saliva or blood and take them to see the veterinarian immediately.
If you’ve been exposed to the rabies virus, please see your doctor immediately. You would need a series of injections to prevent an infection from setting in - rabies immunoglobulin, which gives you an immediate dose of rabies antibodies to fight the infection.
To avoid the risk of getting rabies in your household, get your pet/s vaccinated against rabies yearly!
Read more about Rabies in humans and animals here.
