Vaccinations
Over the years, vaccines against dangerous diseases have saved millions of pets and virtually eliminated some fatal diseases that were once common. That is why our veterinarians highly recommend keeping your pets up to date on their vaccines.
Some vaccines are considered core vaccines and should be administered to all pets, whereas other vaccines are optional and may be recommended for pets based on a variety of factors. Vaccine recommendations can also change throughout a pet’s life, as travel habits and other variables change.
Our Vaccines for dogs and cats
Vaccinations need to be administered on a regular schedule (every 1 - 3 years) in order to keep your pets safe from viruses and other diseases. These vaccinations are normally updated at your pet's yearly exam.
Dog Vaccines:
- Rabies
- Distemper/Parvo combination
- Leptospirosis
- Bordetella (Kennel Cough)
- Canine Influenza
- Lyme
Cat Vaccines:
- Rabies
- FVRCP
- Feline Leukemia
Choosing the right vaccine schedule for your pet
Your pet is unique, and we know that there isn't a "one size fits all" vaccine program. Our doctors and staff are well-educated when it comes to vaccines, so we can make the best recommendations for your pet based on their lifestyle, overall health, and risk of exposure.
Titer Testing: what is it and is it worth it?
As stated above, we tailor our vaccines to each individual patient. But did you know that we also offer titer testing for the canine Distemper/Parvo vaccine?
What is titer-testing exactly? In a nutshell, it tells us if your pet truly needs the vaccine or not. We draw a tiny blood sample and run the tests in batches once a week. If the test comes back positive, that means their antibody levels for those diseases are high enough that they’d still be able to fight off those diseases if exposed. If the test comes back negative, that means their antibody level is too low and they likely would not be able to effectively fight off those diseases, if exposed.
Rabies titers are offered with different laboratories, but because this vaccine is required by law, Indiana does not allow a titer in place of a vaccine. The Leptospirosis and Bordetella vaccines do not offer protection for more than a year and routine titers are not recommended.
Vaccines help pets live longer, healthier lives. Protecting your pet is our primary goal, so developing an appropriate vaccine schedule for your pet is important to us. Give us a call today to set up an appointment to discuss your pet's vaccination needs!