Here at Arrowhead Animal Hospital, we recommend vaccinations for all dogs and cats, even those that are indoor only. There are viruses and diseases in the Westminster, CO area that can be airborne and infect animals through open windows or door screens. Most often, though, viruses are spread from one infected animal to another. It is of the utmost importance to immunize your cat or dog and keep them up to date to protect them from progressive small-animal diseases.
Or call us at (303) 469-1616.
We recommend a visit to our veterinary clinic at least
ONCE A YEAR
for routine vaccinations. Depending on your pet’s age and medical history, your veterinarian will be able to develop a customized pet vaccination protocol tailored to your companion’s individual needs.
Dog Vaccinations
Distemper, Parvovirus, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza (DA2PP) Vaccine is a combination vaccine that protects your dog from multiple viruses. Puppies 3 to 6 months are most at risk for contracting these diseases sometimes resulting in fatalities. We recommend three DA2PP vaccinations for your puppy spread over the first 8 to 16 weeks of his life followed by boosters every 3 years.
Commonly known as kennel cough, cases of bordetella often present after contact with other infected dogs at boarding facilities, day care, grooming or dog parks. Coughing and gagging are often the only symptoms. The vaccination protects your dog for up to a year. If you are planning to vaccinate your dog for bordetella for the first time it needs a booster in two to three weeks.
Spread through the urine of wildlife, leptospirosis can lead to acute kidney failure in dogs. It can also be spread from dogs to humans. This vaccine is given to dogs that are likely to ingest contaminated water and is good for up to one year. If you are planning to vaccinate your dog for leptospirosis for the first time, it will needs a booster in two to three weeks.
Canine Influenza Virus (CIV) Vaccine:
Canine influenza, or the “canine flu,” is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by an influenza A virus. Dogs that may benefit from the canine influenza vaccination include those that receive the kennel cough (bordetella/parainfluenza) vaccine, because the risk groups are similar. This vaccination protects your dog for up to a year. If you are planning to vaccinate your dog for canine influenza for the first time, it needs a booster in three weeks.
Rabies Vaccine: Rabies is a zoonotic virus that causes acute encephalitis (swelling of the brain) that can often be fatal. It is transmitted through a bite from an infected animal. After the first vaccination, your pet is protected for one year and then three years from their second vaccination on.
Cat Vaccinations
Rabies Vaccine: Rabies is a zoonotic virus that causes acute encephalitis (swelling of the brain) that can often be fatal. It is transmitted through a bite from an infected animal. After the first vaccination, your pet is protected for one year and then three years from their second vaccination on.
Panleukopenia, Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus (FVRCP) Vaccine: This is a combination vaccine that protects your cat from multiple viruses. Kittens are most at risk for contracting these diseases, especially if they are indoor/outdoor felines.
Leukemia (FeLV) Vaccine: Feline leukemia virus is the leading viral killer of cats. The virus is spread from cat-to-cat through bite wounds, through casual contact with infected cats, and from an infected mother cat to her kittens. The individuals most at risk of infection are outdoor cats, indoor/outdoor cats, and cats exposed to such individuals. Cats living in households with FeLV-infected cats or with cats of unknown infection status are also at risk. Indoor-only cats with no exposure to potentially infected cats are extremely unlikely to become infected.
