Pets, like people, can be protected from some diseases by vaccination. Vaccines are essential to the well being of your pet. One of the most important and effective ways to prevent infectious diseases is to vaccinate our furry friends on a regular basis. many devastating diseases, such as rabies and canine distemper are now completely preventable with the use of an appropriate vaccination protocol.
Thursday is our puppy/kitten vaccination day, call us for more information.
Here at Allwest, we vaccinate our pets according to their needs which depend on their lifestyle and exposure to the outside or other animals. Need for vaccination for your pet can vary in different regions of the same province/state. Broadly we can group them in four different categories to choose what vaccinations they would need :
Group I :
Indoor cats: Cats which are strictly indoors. They can still catch air born diseases like the upper respiratory disease which is the most common disease in young cats. So we recommend FVRCP vaccination/deworming at 8 and 12 weeks, next year and then every 3 years. We still, strongly recommend annual examinations especially for cats over 3 years old, because pets can hide some subtle diseases for a long time before they are too far gone to treat/ reverse like periodontal disease, kidney and heart disease, diabetes, hyperthyroidism etc.
Indoor dogs: Small toy breeds which are in and around the house only -Initial vaccination/deworming at 8,12 and 16 weeks and every 3 years. Then annual examinations especially for over 3 years old dogs because periodontal disease is the most common problem in small breed dogs which in turn cause almost over 50% of the illnesses we see in these breeds.
Group II :
Outdoor cats: Cats which are partially or totally outdoors or go to groomers/boarding facility. Recommended protocol is to get Ist exam and FVRCP vaccination at 6-7 weeks. 2nd vaccination should include FVRCP(basic), FeLV(Leukemia) and FIV(AIDS) at 10-11 weeks, then FVRCP, FeLV, FIV and Rabies(one year) at 14-15 weeks and then annual vaccinations are recommended.
Neighborhood dogs: Dogs which go outside just in the neighbourhood or nearest park for walks or go to the groomer, boarding kennels etc. We recommend DHPPC(basic+/- corona) at 6-8 weeks, Booster+Bordetella(SQ) at 10-12 weeks, then basic+bordetella+Rabies(one year) at 14-16 weeks of their age and then annually.
Group III :
Outdoor dogs: Dogs which either live on average or go out for trail walks, camping, hiking, around water etc. At 6-8 weeks-basic/corona vaccination, 10-12 weeks-booster(basic/corona) + lyme + lepto + bordetella +/-Giardia , 14-16 weeks-same as previous ones + Rabies(one year) and then annually.
Group IV :
Traveler dogs: Dogs which frequently travel with the owners outside the local area. We recommend same vaccinations as in group III + vaccinations/preventatives required in the area of travel.
Rabies vaccination is almost always given at 12-16 weeks of age, then 2nd year and then every 3 years.