Cat and Dog Vaccinations and Microchips - Tailored Plans in Carlisle, PA

There are hundreds of cases of Rabies in Pennsylvania each year and it is most commonly carried by bats, skunks, foxes, and raccoons with bats being the most common way that indoor pets and people get exposed.  Because there is not an accurate titer test for rabies immunity,  the rabies disease is always fatal, and it is transmissible to humans, Pennsylvania state law requires all pet cats and dogs to be vaccinated.  We give rabies vaccinations every 1-3 years based on your cat or dog’s age, vaccination brand, AAHA/AAFP vaccination guidelines, and state requirements.  This protects not only you and your pet from rabies but also protects you from the sad possibility of having them isolated from you in lengthy rabies quarantines and potentially euthanized for testing should they bite someone out of pain or fear. 

FVRCP protects your kitty from feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia virus (distemper). These diseases are spread via respiratory droplets and both indoor and outdoor cats are at risk, as these respiratory droplets can travel extremely long distances, through open windows, and on your clothing and other fomites. Kittens should receive a series of 2-4 vaccinations based on their age and risk, and then the FVRCP vaccination should be boosted every 1-3 years based on your cat’s risk, lifestyle, and current guidelines. FVRCP vaccinations for cats should always be non-adjuvanted.

DHPP protects your dog from the deadly distemper virus, hepatitis caused by adenovirus, parvovirus, and parainfluenza (if included). If there is an “L” in your dog’s distemper vaccination title that means it also protects for leptospirosis (see below).

These viruses are transmitted by respiratory secretions and feces, so are spread by your pet ingesting dirt in their mouth, inhaling another dog’s respiratory droplets, or coming in contact with your clothing if it has been exposed. We recommend that dogs receive an initial series of 2-4 vaccinations based on their age and risk and then the “Distemper” vaccination should be boosted every 1-3 years based on your dog’s risk, lifestyle, and current guidelines. Your veterinarian will determine if your dog should receive leptospirosis vaccination combined with the distemper vaccine, or separately.

The FeLV vaccine protects your kitty from the feline leukemia virus. This virus is spread through saliva, feces, milk, and urine from cat to cat. The leukemia virus leads to immune system dysfunction and even lymphoma. Cats who are at a high risk should be vaccinated every 1-3 years based on current guidelines. FeLV vaccinations should always be non-adjuvanted.

Leptospirosis is a spiral-shaped bacteria that causes serious kidney and liver disease and is easily spread to humans. Leptospirosis is spread through water or urine (from many kinds of animals) when that water or urine comes into contact with irritated skin or mucous membranes. Vaccinating your dog for leptospirosis protects both your dog and your family from this serious disease. We recommend that dogs receive an initial series of 2 vaccinations based on their age and risk factors, and then they should receive a booster every year thereafter.

Pennsylvania has an incidence of canine Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) significantly higher than any other state. Proper vaccination along with the use of excellent prescription flea and tick prevention is the best way to protect your dog from this disease, which causes painful joint disease and potentially kidney and heart disease.

The brand of vaccination very much matters as to how it works to protect your pet and a lot of out-of-date data is on the internet about Lyme vaccination. Ask your veterinarian about the best Lyme vaccination for your pet. At Healing Paws Veterinary Care, we recommend the use of Recombitek Lyme vaccination for both safety and efficacy. Your dog should receive an initial series of 2 vaccinations and yearly boosters along with yearly tick disease screenings.

Kennel cough is a generalized name for bronchitis, which is caused by numerous contagious organisms spread through respiratory secretions. Kennel cough is highly contagious and can lead to pneumonia. Dogs who go to grooming salons, boarding kennels, dog parks, pet stores, or training classes should be protected against the most common causes of kennel cough – Bordetella, adenovirus, and parainfluenza. This vaccination requires an initial series of 1-2 vaccinations and then annual boosters.

There are two strains of influenza that affect dogs: H3N8 and H3N2. Canine influenza is spread through respiratory secretions and can cause highly deadly pneumonia, spreading quickly to other dogs. Dogs that frequent grooming salons, boarding kennels, dog parks, pet stores, or training classes should be protected against both strains of canine influenza. Vaccination for influenza requires an initial series of 2 vaccinations, and then annual boosters thereafter.