FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Your Questions, Answered
Vaccinations plays a critical role in protecting your dog or cat from many dangerous and even fatal diseases. While state law requires all dogs and cats to be vaccinated for rabies, there are a number of other vaccinations that can protect your animal from serious diseases that are easily preventable.
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 most states.
A viral disease that affects the liver and cells
lining the blood vessels, causing high fever,
edema and hemorrhage. This disease is very
serious in puppies and aged dogs.
DISTEMPER
BORDETELLA
A highly contagious, o!en fatal virus that
affects a dog’s respiratory, gastrointestinal and
nervous systems. The distemper virus generally
spreads as an airborne infection, so vaccination is
the only effective control.
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 shows.
LEPTOSPIROSIS
PARVOVIRUS
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.
A highly contagious viral infection spread by
contact with virus-infected body secretions. This
disease strikes quickly, causing damage to the
lining of the gastrointestinal tract, and can cause
sudden death in some cases.
PARAINFLUENZA
FELINE LEUKEMIA (FELV)
A highly contagious disease that spreads via
contact or airborne transmission. This disease
attacks the respiratory system.
One of the leading causes of feline death. This
virus causes a variety of problems including
immunosuppression, chronic anemia, leukemia
and solid tumors. FeLV can be spread through
contact with infected blood or saliva.
FELINE IMMUNODEFICIENCY
VIRUS (FIV)
UPPER RESPIRATORY DISEASE
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 transmi!ed to humans.
A number of highly contagious viral infections
displaying flu-like or “cold” symptoms. Signs
include sneezing, depression, discharge from
eyes and ears, fever and ulcers in the mouth. The
vaccination protects against the following Upper
Respiratory Diseases: calicivirus, rhinotracheitis
and pneumonitis.