Vaccinations

Canine Infectious Diseases

Distemper 

A highly contagious, often fatal virus that affects a dog's respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems. The distemper virus generally spreads as an airborne infection or by contact with an infected animal's feces or urine. Because a puppy's maternal immunity may wear off before it is vaccinated, reducing the risk of exposure by limiting contact with unfamiliar dogs until the vaccination series is completed is recommended. Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, nose and eye discharge, fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures. Vaccination is the only effective control. Initial vaccinations are given as a series beginning as early as 6 weeks, followed by boosters every 3 weeks until the puppy is 16-18 weeks of age. Distemper vaccinations are given in combination with vaccinations for other diseases (hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvovirus, and leptospirosis). 

Infectious Hepatitis

A viral disease, also known as adenovirus, is spread by contact with infected animals, their feces, urine, or saliva. It affects the liver, kidneys, and cells lining the blood vessels, causing high fever, thirst, inflammation of nose or mouth, diarrhea, abdominal pain and tenderness, loss of appetite, edema, hemorrhage, and depression. This vaccination is given as a series beginning at 6 weeks, followed by boosters, that is included in the combination vaccine with distemper. 

Parvovirus

A highly contagious viral infection that may even cause death, is spread by contact with virus-infected body secretions such as blood, feces, or vomit. This disease strikes quickly, causing damage to the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, and can cause sudden death in some cases. Symptoms include dry, hacking cough, loss of appetite, depression, and runny nose and eyes. This vaccine is part of the combination vaccine given as a series starting at 6 weeks of age.

Parainfluenza

A highly contagious disease that spreads via contact or airborne transmission and can e one of the causes of "kennel cough". This disease attacks the respiratory system. Symptoms include severe diarrhea, fever, vomiting, loss of appetite and dehydration. Initial vaccinations are given as early as 6 weeks, followed by boosters.

Leptospirosis

An extremely contagious disease that spreads through contact with nasal secretions, urine or saliva of infected animals. Symptoms include fever, vomiting and diarrhea. This disease can cause permanent kidney damage. Leptospira can be transmitted to people. 

Canine Influenza

Canine influenza or dog flu, is a highly contagious viral infection affecting dogs. Influenza viruses are able to quickly change and give rise to new strains that can infect different species. Two strains H3N8 and H3N2 have been identified in the U.S. to affect canines. It is transmitted airborne through coughing, barking, or sneezing. It can also be spread indirectly through objects that have been exposed to an infected animal. Dogs in close contact with kennels, groomers, day care facilities and shelters are at increased risk of infection. Vaccination is recommended as early as 12 weeks and boosted. 

Rabies

A fatal viral infection of the central nervous system that affects mammals, including humans. Though it is usually transmitted through the bite of an infected animal, it can be spread when the saliva of the rabid animal comes in contact with broken skin. Rabies vaccination is required in the state of Texas. Symptoms include high excitability, unprovoked biting and sensitivity to noise. Seizure, paralysis, and excessive salivation are also common. Initial vaccination should be given as early as 12 weeks. 

Bordetella

A bacterial infection involved in infectious tracheobronchitis (kennel cough) and spread by airborne bacteria. A dog may catch this disease through contact with other dogs at places like kennels and dog parks. Symptoms include persistent coughing, sneezing and retching accompanied by nasal discharge. Initial vaccination can be given at 6 weeks of age. 

Feline Infectious Diseases

Distemper

Also called Panleukopenia, this highly contagious viral disease that can be spread through the air, contact with infected animals or even contact with places infected animals have been. Symptoms can be any, or all, of the following: weight loss, severe depression, dehydration, loss of appetite, an intense desire for water, vomiting and diarrhea.

Upper Respiratory Disease

A number of highly contagious viral infections displaying flu-like or "cold" symptoms. Signs include sneezing, depression, discharge from the eyes and ears, fever and ulcers in the mouth. The vaccination protects against the following Upper Respiratory Diseases: calicivirus, rhinotracheitis and pneumonitis.

Rabies

A fatal viral infection of the central nervous system that affects mammals, including humans. Though it is usually transmitted through the bite of an infected animal, it can be spread when the saliva of the rabid animal comes in contact with broken skin. Rabies vaccinations are required in the state of Texas.

Feline Leukemia (FELV)

One of the leading causes of feline death. This virus causes a variety of problems including immunosupression, chronic anemia, leukemia and solid tumors. FeLV can be spread through contact with infected blood or saliva. 

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

This virus weakens your cat's immune system. Affected cats are more susceptible to other diseases and infections. FIV is similar to the human virus HIV and causes AIDS-like illness in cats; however, there has been no evidence that it can be transmitted to humans.