Vaccinations & Prevention

When it comes to your pet, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Vaccinations and preventative wellness checks are the best way to keep your pet healthy and happy. Depending on your pet’s age and medical history, we may recommend a different set of vaccinations and preventative treatment plan. 

Vaccinations for Your Dog or Cat 

At Glenville Veterinary Clinic, we generally recommend vaccinations for puppies between the ages of 8 and 10 weeks. For kittens, the first vaccinations should take place between 9 and 12 weeks. These early vaccinations are incredibly important because a young pet’s immune systems is still developing. If they encounter a dangerous disease at an early age, it could potentially become deadly for them. 

With dogs, we vaccinate for parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis, and leptospirosis. While these viruses are fairly rare, they can be deadly if your dog catches one of them. It is always safer for your dog to become protected against a disease through vaccination than it is to become sick with the illness. 

While it might not typically be a deadly disease, we also recommend getting vaccinated against kennel cough. This disease can be incredibly uncomfortable for dogs, and it spreads in group environments. If your dog has spent any time in a kennel or dog park, they are at risk. Fortunately, this vaccination can be done at eight weeks. Afterward, we can give your pet a booster each year.

Meanwhile, cats should be vaccinated against feline leukemia virus, enteritis, and cat flu. The vaccination for feline leukemia virus is particularly important because this disease is a common cause of tumors. Following these initial treatments, the cat can get annual booster doses to keep its immunity level as high as possible.

Preventative Care for Pets 

Other than vaccinations, we recommend annual wellness checks for adult dogs and cats. At 8 to 10 weeks, we will do a nose-to-tail health check to spot potential problems. We perform the same nose-to-tail health check at 9 to 12 weeks in cats. 

 

Routinely scheduled exams are important because they can diagnose small issues before they lead to major problems. For example, annual wellness checks are a great time to discuss flea, tick, and heartworm prevention. We can also handle your pet’s dental care and talk about their nutrition needs. 

Preventing diseases is significantly cheaper than treating a full-blown illness. In addition, early treatment boosts the odds of a successful outcome. For your pet, it means an easier, shorter, and more comfortable treatment process.

How Often Should My Pet Go for a Wellness Check? 

The recommendation for wellness checks can vary based on your pet’s age. In general, adult cats and dogs should schedule a wellness check each year. For geriatric pets, we recommend doing wellness checks twice a year. During these visits, the vet may perform blood or urine tests to check on the pet’s organ health. 

If you are raising kittens or puppies, you should generally bring them to the vet every three to four weeks. For adoptions, you can schedule the first appointment at the four-month mark. During the visit at four months, you can also get your pet spayed or neutered. Depending on their home environment and lifestyle, they may also require flea medication.

Keep Your Pet in Peak Health 

Vaccinations and preventative medicine can help you keep your pet healthy. Other than diagnosing problems, these visits can prevent future health issues. If you are uncertain about when to schedule your pet’s first appointment, reach out to Glenville Veterinary Clinic today.

Rest easy, your beloved friend is in safe hands.