Pet Vaccinations Offer Superior Protection
Diseases like rabies, parvovirus, and distemper can spread rapidly and with devastating consequences. Fortunately, there is a safe and easy way to prevent these diseases from spreading and keep pets (and their humans) healthy. Vaccinations help your pet’s immune system recognize and destroy viruses and infections before any harm is done. If you have your pet vaccinated on a regular schedule, they’ll stay protected for life.
Are Vaccines Safe for My Pet?
Overall, vaccines are quite safe for dogs and cats, and if a reaction does occur, it is usually mild. Some pets may feel lethargic after being vaccinated, especially if it’s their first time, but this shouldn’t last more than 24 hours. Just like humans, pets may feel slightly sore at their vaccination site, but this is also temporary. If you’re concerned about how your pet will respond to vaccines, contact us.
Vaccines We Recommend for Dogs and Cats
Should every pet be vaccinated? We’d certainly recommend it. When you walk into your house after a day at work, do you consider how many diseases might have hitched a ride on your shoes, hands, or clothes? Staying indoors does not guarantee safety for our animal companions, and both dogs and cats can be at risk for infection.
Here are the vaccines we commonly recommend for dogs and cats:
Dog Vaccines
- DHPP (distemper/hepatitis/parainfluenza/parvo)
- Rabies
- Bordetella
- Leptospirosis (given based on risk)
- Influenza (given based on risk)
Cat Vaccines
- RCP (feline distemper)
- Rabies
- Leukemia (recommended for kittens and at-risk cats)
We Tailor Your Pet’s Vaccines to Their Needs
Most pets do not receive every vaccine that we offer. At Animal Hospital of Wilkes, we vaccinate in moderation. Our approach is to avoid over-vaccinating, which can be just as harmful as not vaccinating your pet at all, by providing an immunization schedule that's tailored to your pet's needs.
You can contact us at (336) 838-3441 if you have any questions.