Vaccinations & Examinations

Vaccinations and regular health examinations are very important to your pet's health. Dogs and cats may be exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases from wildlife, rodents, insects, and other pets. Below is a list of the vaccines we recommend and the diseases they help prevent.

Canine

DA2PP or Distemper/Parvo vaccine

1. Canine Distemper virus - a highly contagious viral disease found throughout the environment. It affects the respiratory and nervous systems and is often fatal.
2. Adenovirus Type 2 - causes infectious tracheobronchitis(respiratory disease)
3. Parainfluenza - causes infectious tracheobronchitis
4. Parvovirus - Highly contagious disease that causes severe diarrhea and vomiting (often bloody) and can be fatal.

Rabies

The rabies vaccine attacks the brain and is always fatal. Pets can become exposed to rabies by bites from wild animals, especially skunks, bats, raccoons, and foxes. The disease can be transmitted to humans through the bite or scratch of an infected pet.

Because the disease is fatal in humans, rabies is required by law!

Lyme (canine Borreliosis)

Lyme is spread from a bite of the deer tick. The most common clinical signs are joint pain and fever, but animals can be infected for years without showing clinical signs.

Bordetella (Kennel cough)

Cause of infectious tracheitis and is spread from dog to dog in close, stressful situations, such as boarding or obedience classes.

Feline

PCR or Feline distemper combination

PCR vaccine contains:

1. Feline Rhinotracheitis - a widespread respiratory disease that can cause profuse discharge from the eyes and nose and can be severe or even fatal, especially in small kittens.
2. Calicivirus - causes ulcers in the tongue and mouth, fever, and salivation.
3. Panleukopenia (aka feline distemper) - similar to parvo in dogs, causes severe vomiting and diarrhea and is often fatal.

Rabies

The rabies vaccine attacks the brain and is always fatal. Pets can become exposed to rabies by bites from wild animals, especially skunks, bats, raccoons, and foxes. The disease can be transmitted to humans through the bite or scratch of an infected pet.

Because the disease is fatal in humans, rabies is required by law!

Feline Leukemia

Feline leukemia is spread from cat to cat through close contact, usually through blood, saliva, and urine. It can cause cancer in cats, leukemia, or weaken the immune system and make the cats more susceptible to other diseases.

Ideally, puppies and kittens should receive their first vaccinations at six to eight weeks of age and the vaccines should be boostered very three to four weeks until four months of age. However, if your pet has not received vaccinations yet, the series can be started at any time. After the initial series, your pet should be examined and re-assessed by your veterinarian at least once a year to determine what vaccinations are necessary, based on the lifestyle and health of your pet. Please call Cloquet Animal Hospital to make an appointment with our veterinarian to determine what vaccinations are recommended to keep help your pet live a longer, healthier life.