Vaccinations & Tests Explained

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Rabies Vaccine - Canine & Feline

Rabies is a fatal neurological disease that can be passed from animals to humans through bite wounds.  This vaccination is required by law for both dogs and cats in the city of Duluth and for interstate transport.  Unless you have provided proof of an up-to-date rabies vaccination, your pet will receive a rabies vaccination. **All dogs and cats over 12 weeks should receive an initial vaccination.  A repeat dose should be administered 1 year later. Repeat vaccinations every 1 to 3 years as determined by your veterinarian.

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Feline Distemper Combo Vaccine (FVRCP)

These common viruses can cause a severe upper respiratory infection which is highly contagious and can be deadly to young kittens and older cats. This vaccination will prevent or lessen the signs of these upper respiratory  diseases. This vaccination also protects kittens against contracting Panleukopenia, a gastrointestinal disease which is similar to the Parvo virus in dogs. **All kittens should receive a minimum of 3 doses between the ages of 6 to 16 weeks given 3 to 4 weeks apart. Adult cats starting the series should receive two doses 3 to 4 weeks apart.  Following completion of the initial series all cats should receive a 1 year booster and continue with a booster every 3 years.         
 

Feline Leukemia Vaccine

This vaccination should be administered to cats that spend time outdoors and may come into contact with cats of unknown vaccine or Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) status. **Cats should receive an initial dose as young as 8-12 weeks of age with a second dose given 3 to 4 weeks after. Continue to booster annually.

                                    
Feline FeLV/FIV Test 

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) are both contagious viral diseases of cats. These diseases cause immune suppression that can lead to increased susceptibility to other infectious diseases and, in the case of FeLV, can be potentially fatal. **This test should be done on all cats and kittens prior to entering a home with other cats and is useful information on all cats.

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Canine Distemper Combo Vaccine (DHPP) 

This vaccination provides immunity against a variety of upper respiratory, gastrointestinal and neurologic diseases, including Distemper and Parvo. Parvo is a highly contagious, often fatal, virus of dogs causing vomiting and diarrhea. **All puppies should receive a minimum of 3 doses between the ages of 6 to 16 weeks given 3- 4 weeks apart.  Adult dogs starting the series should receive two doses 3 to 4 weeks apart. Following completion of the initial series all dogs should receive a 1-year booster and continue with a booster every 3 years.         

 

Canine Bordetella Vaccine (Kennel Cough)

This vaccine protects against several strains of infectious cough in dogs and is recommended for animals with a high risk of exposure (boarding, showing, dog parks, training, etc)  It can cause some temporary (3 to 10 days) coughing, sneezing, or nasal discharge in a small percentage of animals getting vaccinated.  **If an animal has not been vaccinated within the previous 6 months, a booster is recommended 1 week prior to potential exposure.  

Canine Lyme Vaccine

This vaccine protects against disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, the Lyme disease organism. An initial vaccination is followed by a booster vaccine 2 to 4 weeks later.Following completion of the initial series, all dogs should receive a 1 year booster as long as the risk for disease exposure remains

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Canine Leptspirosis Vaccine

This vaccine protects against several strains of infectious cough in dogs and is recommended for animals with a high risk of exposure (boarding, showing, dog parks, training, etc)  It can cause some temporary (3 to 10 days) coughing, sneezing, or nasal discharge in a small percentage of animals getting vaccinated.  **If an animal has not been vaccinated within the previous 6 months, a booster is recommended 1 week prior to potential exposure.  

Canine Heartworm Test

A heartworm test is a blood test that checks for the evidence of the parasite Dirofilaria Immitis, more commonly known as heartworm, in your dog’s bloodstream. Antigen for the heartworm cannot be detected until 6 months after initial infection.  For this reason, testing animals less than 6 months of age is not recommended.  Dogs should be tested annually and placed on preventative medication.
                      

Canine 4Dx Test

A 4Dx test is a blood test that checks for the evidence of  six vector-borne diseases: Dirofilaria Immitis (heartworm), Lyme, Ehrlichia canis, Ehrlichia ewingi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Anaplasma platys. Testing is  recommended for dogs in areas with high tick prevalence or dogs that have increased risk of tick exposure. Aside from heartworm, which is transmitted through mosquitoes, all of the above disease are transmitted through ticks into a dog’s bloodstream. Dogs should be tested annually and placed on preventative medication.

Microchip - Feline & Canine

When your pet is anesthetized we simply implant by injection a microchip, about the size of a grain of rice, beneath the surface of your pet’s skin between the shoulder blades.  The chip will last the life of your pet.  By passing a microchip scanner over the shoulder blades there is a unique ID code emitted that can be used to positively identify your pet.

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