Vaccines

Canine

Routine Core Vaccines

  • Distemper-Parvo combination: This combination vaccine protects against 4 infectious viruses (Canine Distemper, Parainfluenza, Hepatitis and Parvo) which can result in severe and life-threatening liver, respiratory and intestinal disease.
  • Leptospirosis: This vaccine protects against the bacteria, Leptospirosis, which targets the liver and kidneys and can be passed on to people. This bacteria can penetrate intact or cut skin, or mucous membranes. Dogs will typically come into contact with the leptospira bacteria in soil or mud; while swimming or drinking contaminated water; or from coming into contact with urine from infected wildlife.
  • Rabies: Maryland State law requires all dogs 16 weeks of age and older to be up-to-date on their rabies vaccination.
  • Lyme: Lyme disease is caused by an infectious organism spread by deer ticks. In dogs, it targets the joints and kidneys. We recommend this vaccine for all at-risk dogs regardless of how much time they spend outdoors.

Optional Vaccines

  • Bordetella and Canine Influenza: These two vaccines fall under the “kennel cough syndrome” umbrella. Kennel cough is caused by a group of viruses and/or bacteria that result in an upper respiratory infection.   These two vaccines cover only a fraction of the syndrome and are not 100% effective in preventing disease. We typically recommend these vaccines for those dogs that are at high risk of exposure or those being required by their groomer or boarding kennel to have them. We offer boarding to our regular patients and do not require these vaccines.

Feline

  • Feline Distemper: This combination vaccine protects cats against 3 infectious viruses (Rhinotracheitis-Calici-Panleukopenia) which can result in severe, and potentially deadly, respiratory and intestinal disease.
  • Rabies: The first rabies vaccine your cat gets will be good for one year. Thereafter, our clinic offers two choices for feline rabies vaccination: 1) once a year with a non-adjuvanted, recombinant vaccine, or 2) once every 3 years with an adjuvanted vaccine. Our doctors will discuss the differences between the vaccines and help you make the best decision for your cat. Maryland State law requires all cats 16 weeks of age and older to be up-to-date on their rabies vaccination regardless of whehter they go outdoors or not.

Optional Vaccines

  • Feline Leukemia: Feline Leukemia (FELV) is caused by a virus and can lead to debilitating disease and even death. FELV is highly contagious and can affect all the organ systems. Adult cats typically contract FELV by coming into close contact with infected cats. We strongly recommend this vaccine for any cat that is at high risk for exposure to this disease, especially those that go outside unsupervised.

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