Vaccinations

All About Pet Vaccinations

Community Pet Outreach believes that vaccines are the most important steps you can take to keep your pet healthy and happy. Vaccines have allowed pets and humans alike to live longer and healthier lives. Today’s vaccines have undergone elaborate medical research to ensure that they are safe to administer and effective in preventing fatal disease. Our vaccination programs protect your vulnerable puppy or kitten from various infections and diseases, while annual boosters keep the protection going throughout adulthood. Vaccinations protect pets from disease by exposing their body’s immune system to inactive or parts of a type of bacteria or virus. Our doctors will help you decide which vaccines are appropriate for your pet’s risk factors. Proper administration and giving a vaccine at the correct age and time interval is critical for proper protection.

Vaccination typically starts at 6-8 weeks of age and the puppy and kitten series is completed around 16 weeks of age. Once your pet has entered our vaccination protocol, Community Pet Outreach will keep you up to date when your pets will be due for booster vaccinations during their adult years.

Review our general recommendations: timetables for wellness vaccines and preventives, the basic cost for this protection, and a description of the vaccines or tests. If you have questions or concerns, feel free to contact us at the location convenient to you.

Descriptions of Vaccines:

Canine

Rabies

Rabies – is a virus that attacks the brain and central nervous system, transmitted by bodily fluids from an infected animal. The most common form of transmission is a bite wound and can be contracted by animals and humans.

DA2PP

DA2PP (Distemper Virus, Adenovirus, and Parvovirus) – Distemper-Attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems; is very contagious; and spread through saliva, urine, or tears from an infected dog. Symptoms include fever, runny nose and eyes, diarrhea, weight loss, seizures, and death.

Adenovirus type II

Adenovirus type II – Affects the liver, kidneys, eyes, and other organs; is very contagious; and spreads through the urine, feces, or saliva of an infected dog. Symptoms range from slight fever, congestion, and clouding of the eye (a condition called “blue eye”) to prolonged bleeding, severe depression, and death.

Parainfluenza

Parainfluenza – Typically a mild respiratory infection in otherwise healthy dogs, it can be severe in puppies or debilitated dogs.

Parvovirus

Parvovirus – Attacks the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, spread through the feces of a contaminated dog. Parvovirus can survive in the environment for long periods of time and is very contagious. The disease can cause fever and loss of appetite, as well as diarrhea and vomiting that can quickly lead to dehydration and death.

Bordatella-Intranasal or Injectable

Bordatella-Intranasal or Injectable – Kennel cough is characterized by a continual cough generally noted after boarding or contact with unfamiliar dogs. This vaccine will help prevent kennel cough, but cannot guarantee complete immunity. Some kennels require this vaccine every 6 months.

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis – Caused by bacteria in the urine of infected animals or people. Wild animals such as rats or raccoons can urinate in puddles, ponds, and other sources, contaminating the water.

Canine Influenza (CIV)

Canine Influenza (CIV) – is a virus first identified in the United States in 2004. Since then, CIV has continued to spread, now detected in dogs in 30 states including Texas. Most dogs have no immunity to canine influenza and infection spreads quickly through animal shelters, pet stores, boarding kennels, veterinary clinics, or anywhere dogs congregate.

Lyme

Lyme – This vaccine is recommended for dogs that are, or will be, in tick-infested areas.

Rattlesnake

Rattlesnake – This vaccine is recommended for dogs that are, or will be, in rattlesnake infested areas. A lot of hunting dogs receive this vaccine as well as the Lyme Disease Vaccine.

Feline

Rabies

Rabies – is a virus that attacks the brain and central nervous system, transmitted by bodily fluids from an infected animal. The most common form of transmission is a bite wound and can be contracted by animals and humans.

FVRCP

FVRCP (Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia) – Rhinotracheitis-A highly contagious respiratory disease characterized by sneezing, running nose, drooling, loss of appetite, fever, eye inflammation, and discharge from both eyes and nose. This is triggered by the common feline herpes virus.

Calicivirus

Calicivirus – A serious respiratory infection often occurring simultaneously with rhinotracheitis. The symptoms are similar, but may include ulcers on the tongue.

Panleukopenia

Panleukopenia (feline distemper) – Among the most widespread of all cat disease, characterized by fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and death.​​​​​​​

FeLV (Feline Leukemia)

FeLV (Feline Leukemia) – this virus is second only to trauma as the leading cause of death in cats, killing 85% of persistently infected felines within three years of diagnosis. The virus commonly causes anemia or lymphoma, but because it suppresses the immune system, it can also predispose cats to deadly infections.

*** Dogs and cats in Texas must be vaccinated by a veterinarian by the time the animal is 3 months of age, and then receive a booster 12 months after the initial vaccine. All puppies or kittens and dogs or cats with no history of previous rabies vaccine will be required to have a rabies vaccine 12 months after the initial vaccination. Thereafter, the animal must be vaccinated at intervals of no longer than 36 months.