They say the best way to treat an illness is to prevent it. This is a philosophy we firmly believe in here at Advanced Pet Care of Clear Lake. That’s why we advocate cat and dog vaccinations for all of our patients. Just like human vaccines, cat and dog vaccines equip the immune system to fight off disease-causing bacteria, and we strongly recommend that they are included in every pet wellness plan.
We want your pet to live a long, happy, healthy life, just as much as you do. Give us a call at (281) 486-1509 to make an appointment today!
Core Vs. Non-Core Pet Vaccines
Although we recommend that ALL dogs and cats be vaccinated, not all available vaccines are required for all dogs and cats. There are two types of vaccines available for pets: core vaccines and non-core vaccines. Some pets only need core vaccines while others need both core and non-core.
Core
Core vaccines are considered important for a pet’s health because the diseases/viruses they prevent can be fatal and/or transmitted to humans. This is why they are typically universally recommended. The rabies vaccine is an example of a core vaccine, since it’s 100% fatal and can affect dogs, cats, and humans. It’s even required by law in most states.
The following is a list of some of the core cat & dog vaccinations we recommend for all dogs and cats:
- Rabies (dogs and cats)
- Canine hepatitis
- Canine and feline distemper
- Feline calicivirus
Non-Core
Non-core vaccines, on the other hand, are not necessary for every pet’s health. They are ultimately based on a pet’s risk of exposure to a certain illness. For example, feline leukemia (a contagious cat-to-cat virus) is often recommended for outdoor cats, since they may come in contact with other cats.
Canine flu is very contagious, and we are recommending the bivalent influenza vaccine for any dogs that frequent the dog park, go to daycare, or board regularly. This vaccine protects against the H3N2 and H3N8 flu strains, and requires a follow-up booster 2-4 weeks after the initial injection.
The following are some of the non-core vaccines we offer for dogs and cats, depending on lifestyle:
- Canine Bordetella
- Canine influenza
- Canine Lyme
- Feline leukemia virus (FeLV)
- Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)
Customizing Your Pet’s Vaccination Schedule with our Webster, TX, Veterinarian
Ideally, your pet’s vaccinations should begin when they’re a puppy/kitten. This is when we typically customize a vaccination schedule for them. When they’re adults, vaccines need to be updated every 1-3 years, depending on the vaccine. Give us a call at (281) 486-1509 to schedule your pet’s cat and dog vaccinations in Webster, TX, or if you have any questions about our vaccine protocols.