Animal Hospital of Casper - On Line
Vaccinations
Vaccinations are an important part of your pets' heath care. By vaccinating your pet you protect your family friend from various diseases including rabies, distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, lyme disease, feline leukemia and others. Some of these diseases can be carried in the air, direct contact or even on clothing - Some are stable only inside a pet while others exist for months outside the pet in the ground or other objects. Nearly every vaccination includes a comprehensive physical exam at Animal Hospital. Our Doctors can assure you that the vaccinations given are best for your pet and it's environment and, most importantly, that your pets will respond properly to the vaccination with an immune response! If your pet has any hidden infections, diseases or stress reactions, simply giving the vaccination - gives you a false sense of security and your pet no real protection!!! Talk to your veterinarian about these important issues, if you have any questions.
What Am I Vaccinating For?
Canine Distemper is a widespread, often fatal disease. The virus can be carried by air currents, making nearly every dog exposed at some point in their lifetime. Signs include coughing, vomiting and diarrhea. The brain is affected, resulting in convulsions and death. Dogs that do recover may suffer permanent brain damage. All dogs should be vaccinated against distemper, starting with distemper-measles vaccination at 6-9 weeks of age.
Feline Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper) is among the most wide spread of all cat diseases, and is extremely contagious. Characterized by fever, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea, feline panleukopenia causes high death loss, particularly among kittens. Even older cats that recover from panleukopenia may never totally regain their health.
Canine Adenovirus type-1 and type-2 cause infectious hepatitis and respiratory infection, respectively. Hepatitis caused by adenovirus type=1 may cause sever kidney damage or death. Adenovirus type-2 is an important factor in canine cough.
Canine Parvovirus infection is a disease of widespread distribution which may cause severe dehydrating diarrhea is dogs of varying ages. This intestinal infection is especially dangerous in puppies. Other signs include fever, vomiting and depression. It is transmitted through direct contact with an infected dog's feces and urine.
Canine Coronavirus infection is a highly contagious intestinal disease causing vomiting and diarrhea in dogs of all ages. Especially in young puppies, dehydration from coronavirus infection can be life-threatening.
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is a disease caused by a coronavirus. Symptoms vary depending upon the form. The most common signs include persistent non-responsive, fever, loss of appetite, gradual weight loss and eventual death. No treatment exists for cats infected with FIP. A vaccine is available to help protect your cat from this deadly disease.
Canine Bordetella (B.bronchiseptica) may contribute to canine cough. This bacterial infection can occur alone or in combination with distemper, adenovirus type-2 infection, parainfluenza, and other respiratory problems.
Canine Parainfluenza is another cause of canine cough. Although parainfluenza is often a mild respiratory infection in otherwise healthy dogs, it can be severe in puppies or debilitated dogs.
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR) is a highly contagious respiratory disease characterized by sneezing, loss of appetite, fever, and eye inflammation. As the disease progresses, a discharge is noticeable from both nose and eyes. Although few adult cats die from FVR, the death rate among kittens can rage from 50 to 60 percent. Feline viral rhinotracheitis often occurs simultaneously with feline calicivirus infection. Recovered cats continue to carry and spread the infection for long periods.
Feline Calicivirus (FCV) is another serious feline respiratory infection, often occurring simultaneously with feline viral rhinotracheitis. Signs of infection are similar to FVR, (fever, loss of appetite, nasal discharge), but calicivirus-infected cats may also have ulcers on the tongue. Feline calicivirus most severely affects kittens and debilitated cats, and overall death loss is generally low. However, calicivirus infection may pave the way for other viral or bacterial agents which cause pneumonia.
Feline Pneumonitis, a third common respiratory ailment in cats, is caused by the organism Chlamydia Psittaci. Signs of pneumonitis are similar to those of FVR and FCV, (sneezing, fever, loss of appetitive, nasal discharge, inflamed eyes.). Also like other respiratory disease, pneumonitis can be complicated by bacterial infectious which result in pneumonia or meningitis. Even after a cat recovers from pneumonitis, it may harbor Chlamydia organisms and become ill again if stressed.
Feline Leukemia is a viral disease which can take several forms. Some cats have transient infections with few ill effects. Others have persistent infections varying in severity, some of which may be fatal over time. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, vomiting, loss of appetite and weight. Cats are most commonly exposed to feline leukemia virus through contact with another, infected cat; thus, likelihood of infection is greater in multi-cat households or where cats are allowed to roam free. Extensive scientific research has shown no relationship between feline leukemia and human leukemia.
Feline and Canine Rabies, one of the world's most publicized and feared disease, is almost always fatal. Rabies virus attacks the brain and central nervous system, and is transmitted to humans chiefly through the bite of an infected animal. Cases of feline rabies have increased steadily over the past 5 years. IN 1981-82, for the first time, more cats than dogs were reported to have rabies. This situation has led many authorities to recommend rabies vaccinations for all cats.
Animal Hospital's Vaccination Protocol: Click below to find out how keep you pets safe and healthy
Check this sites out for further information about Preventable Infectious Disease!
Pfizer information on preventable canine diseases
Pfizer information on preventable feline diseases
