Support Your Pet’s Health in Edmonton
Vaccinations are just as important for your pet’s health as they are for yours. In fact, depending on your pet’s lifestyle, there might be some additional steps that you should take to provide an adequate level of protection. When you come into Mercy Animal Hospital for your pet’s vaccination appointment, be sure to speak with our veterinarian, and provide a thorough picture of your pet’s daily activities. Contact us today to schedule your pet’s vaccination appointment.
There are a number of benefits your pet can receive from regular vaccinations, including:
- Prevent a number of illnesses
- Avoid costly treatments for preventable disease
- Prevent diseases passed between animals
- Protection from diseases transmitted by wildlife
- Compliance with the law
Vaccinations
There are a number of core vaccines that every pet needs to stay healthy. Not only will these vaccines protect your pet from contracting an illness, but it will also protect you from diseases that are transmitted from animals to humans. If you take your dog to a local dog park or other locations frequented by pets or wildlife, it’s important to make sure that they are fully protected with vaccinations. Boarding pets when you need to leave town is another reason to make sure your cat or dog is up-to-date on the vaccines that will provide the best level of protection for their health. If you are unsure which vaccines your pet needs, please contact Mercy Animal Hospital in Edmonton to get the answers you need.
Your Top Rated Local® Animal Hospital
From updating your pet’s vaccines and maintaining the right schedule for booster shots, it can be challenging to remember everything you need to know. At Mercy Animal Hospital, we strive to make things as easy for you as possible, which is why we provide reminders and notifications about your pet’s upcoming appointments and vaccines. Contact us today to learn more, and book an appointment at your Top Rated Local® animal hospital in Edmonton.
FAQs about Vaccines
Why should my dogs and cats get vaccinated?
Vaccinations are the only way to prevent certain serious and highly contagious diseases including rabies, Parvo, distemper, and feline herpes. Rabies does not have a cure and always causes death. Parvo and distemper also result in death, and feline herpes is an upper respiratory disease that is highly contagious.
Is rabies vaccination required by law?
All cats and dogs must be vaccinated for rabies and they must remain up-to-date on their boosters. There is no course of treatment for rabies and the disease always results in death. Rabies can even be passed from animals to humans through bites and scratches.
What are the core and non-core cat vaccines?
Core cat vaccines include rabies, feline distemper, feline herpes virus, and calicivirus. Non-core cat vaccines include feline leukemia and bordetella (kennel cough). Core vaccines should be given to every cat. Non-core vaccines are reserved for cats that are deemed high-risk.
What are the core and non-core vaccines for dogs?
Core dog vaccines include rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and canine hepatitis. Non-core dog vaccines include parainfluenza, kennel cough, lyme disease, leptospirosis, and canine flu. Core dog vaccines should be given to all dogs, regardless of whether they are inside or outside dogs. Non-core vaccines are generally recommended for dogs that are kenneled, frequently around other dogs, or who live in high-risk areas.
How often should my dog or cat be vaccinated?
Initial vaccines should be started between 6-16 weeks of age. Some vaccines require additional shots in the first year. After the first year, boosters should be given every one to three years. Our veterinarian can help you determine the exact vaccination schedule for your dog.
What happens if I do not get my dog or cat vaccinated?
It depends on the vaccinations you refuse to give your pet. Rabies vaccines are required by law, and owners must keep the paperwork on hand at all times. If the owner refuses to give their cat or dog the rabies vaccine, the dog may be quarantined or killed if it bites a family member or another individual.
Other diseases can cause serious illness and death. Distemper causes permanent brain damage. Parvo causes severe vomiting and bloody diarrhea and if not treated promptly, often resulting in death. Canine hepatitis causes liver damage. Feline herpes and calicivirus cause severe upper respiratory infections in cats. Feline leukemia suppresses the immune system in cats and can cause cancer.
