VACCINATIONS

FELINE VACCINATION

• Feline Panleukopenia, also known as "cat distemper," is a highly contagious and often fatal disease in young cats. It is easily transmitted from cat to cat.
• Feline Respiratory Diseases include several different infectious agents. They are all highly contagious and are widespread. High death rates occur in young cats and "old" cats. Upper respiratory infections are easily spread from cat to cat by sneezing, etc. Even a stray cat that seems outwardly to be healthy may be a "carrier" infecting your pet, even though a screen window.
• Feline Leukemia was unknown 20 years ago but is now considered to be the leading cause of death in cats. It is a cancer-causing virus that often suppresses the ability to fight other infections. Kittens can be born with the virus. Cats can have the leukemia virus for years before showing signs of the disease. Feline Leukemia is not transmissible to humans or dogs. There is no successful treatment once symptoms develop!
• Feline Bordetella is a highly contagious bacteria that causes upper respiratory infection, which can lead to pneumonia and even death. Cats that have a strong potential for exposure to this infection are cats that came from shelters, wandered up to your house, if your cat will be allowed outside, taken to a groomer, boarded at a kennel, or if you have a multi-cat household.

• Canine Distemper is very widespread, and nearly every dog will be exposed to distemper within the first year of life. Once the virus enters the nervous system, convulsions, twitches, or partial paralysis become evident. It is spread through all body secretions and is HIGHLY contagious.
• Parvo is transmitted through direct contact with an infected dog's feces. A dog that recovers from the disease remains a "carrier," spreading the virus in its bowel movements for 1-3 months. Signs include vomiting, fever, depression, and diarrhea (which often will contain large amounts of blood.) The younger the pet, the GREATER the chance of death. Dogs remain susceptible to Parvovirus infection until two weeks after the last injection in the vaccination series. This is the MOST SERIOUS and FATAL disease we see today.
• Infectious Canine Hepatitis affects the dog's liver. Spread through an infected dog's urine, exposure can mean anything from a mild infection to death. Puppies are at the most risk with this disease. Vaccination has controlled this disease for several years, making it rarely seen by the veterinarian today.
• Canine Cough Complex (kennel cough or Bordetella), technically known as "tracheobronchitis," it is an upper respiratory infection with the significant sign being a persistent, dry, hacking cough. It often lasts for several weeks and is HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS.
• Lyme disease is a debilitating disease that affects the musculoskeletal system as well as other vital systems of the body. Lyme is spread by the attachment of infected ticks on an animal. Pets that are most at risk are dogs that walk in wooded and tall grassy areas or travel in places where wild animals frequent.