Vaccinations

APPOINTMENT

There are a variety of vaccines that are recommended for your pets annually.

Feline Vaccinations:

FVRCP (Feline Distemper)

This is a combination vaccine for cats. It is given once a year after an initial series of 3 – 4 vaccines as a kitten.

Heartworm

Heartworms are one of the most dangerous parasites for both dogs and cats. Mosquitoes transmit infection that may lead to the development of adult worms in the heart and lungs. Common signs of heartworm infection in dogs can include fatigue, coughing and weight loss. Heartworm disease is becoming more common in many parts of the United States. Failure to treat heartworm disease may result in heart failure and/or serious disease of the liver and kidneys. Untreated heartworm disease is usually fatal.

Heartworm Testing:
Heartworm testing is important. The American Heartworm Society recommends periodic testing for all dogs, including those already on a preventative. We recommend testing pets annually. Our heartworm test is an in-house test that requires a very small blood sample. It not only detects heartworm but also tests for E. Canis and Lyme Disease which are tick-borne diseases.

Cats & Heartworm Disease:
Heartworm prevention in cats is just as important as dogs. Unlike canine heartworm disease, 1 or 2 worms can cause serious or even fatal disease in cats. Common signs of heartworm disease in cats can include coughing, difficulty breathing, vomiting, and even sudden death. There is no testing or treatment for a cat diagnosed with heartworm disease, but it is easily prevented with Revolution.

Heartworm Prevention is Key:
Treating adult heartworm infection in dogs can be difficult and costly – yet prevention is simple. There are several products available for heartworm prevention. We recommend and carry Revolution for both cats and dogs. In dogs, Revolution not only prevents Heartworm Infection, but it also prevents and controls Flea Infestations, treats and controls Ear Mites and Sarcoptic Mites and controls American Dog Tick infestations. In cats, Revolution prevents heartworm as well as treats roundworm, hookworm, fleas, and ear mites.

There are several additional types of heartworm, flea and tick preventatives.

Feline Leukemia (FeLV)

The highly contagious immune deficiency disease. It is the leading cause of death in cats. It is a fatal disease on its own, but it also breaks down the cat’s protective immune response so that the cat cannot fight off infections it would normally be able to resist. The virus dies very quickly outside the body so it must be transmitted by direct contact with an infected cat. We can administer a vaccine yearly after the initial series of two vaccines give three weeks apart. This vaccine is recommended for cats that go outdoors

Rabies

Please Note: The state of Illinois has made it mandatory that all cats have a rabies vaccine effective January 1, 2020. Each county within the state has different prices and tag requirements, so please call us to get more details about your specific county.

Of all animal diseases, rabies is probably the most feared. It is transmitted by a bite. The rabies virus attacks the brain and is always fatal. This disease affects all mammals, including humans. Skunks, raccoons, foxes, and bats are the most common carriers of the rabies virus. All pets are at risk, even those that are not allowed outside. If for some reason a pet escapes accidentally from the home and encounters a wild animal infected with rabies they will not survive if unvaccinated. The vaccine is offered in a 1 year or a 3 year shot. The initial vaccine must be a 1 year. After that, you have the option between the 1 and 3 year vaccine.

Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper)

This is a highly contagious viral disease. Symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, depression, diarrhea, and dehydration. Recovered cats can shed the virus for up to 6 weeks and infect unprotected cats.

Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR)

This is a highly contagious upper respiratory virus that is very serious in kittens although it can affect cats of any age. It is transmitted through any bodily fluids, including nasal and eye discharge or saliva. Symptoms include fever, tearing, discharge from the eyes and nose, coughing, and salivation. Recovered cats become carriers for life. They may or may not experience signs of the disease, but will continue to shed the virus intermittently.

Calicivirus

It is a highly contagious upper respiratory disease transmitted by bodily fluids. Symptoms include fever, pneumonia, and ulcers or blisters on the tongue. Just like Rhinotracheitis, the recovered cats will be a carrier for life.

Canine Vaccinations:

Distemper

This is a highly contagious viral disease affecting respiratory and nervous systems. It is contracted through vomit, diarrhea, wildlife feces, and ANY bodily fluids. Symptoms include fever, lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea.

DHPP (Canine Distemper)

This is a combination vaccine for dogs and is administered yearly after an initial series of 3 – 4 shots given three weeks apart as a puppy.

Bordetella (Kennel Cough)

This is a highly contagious bacterial disease of the upper respiratory tract that is transmitted through the air. It causes a harsh, dry cough that is often followed by gagging and coughing up foamy mucus. The vaccine is usually mandatory for pets who go to boarding facilities, are groomed, those that are enrolled in puppy classes, and dogs that attend dog parks frequently. This is a yearly vaccine.

Lyme

This is a bacterial disease transmitted by ticks. This vaccine is highly recommended if you live in, or go to heavily wooded areas, or will be taking your dog camping, hunting, hiking, or fishing. Symptoms of this disease include: Lameness or stiffness, swelling of limbs or joints, fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, and vomiting. The first time this vaccine is given, includes a series of two vaccines three weeks apart. After that, it is boosted once a year.

Heartworm

Heartworm Disease: Your Pet’s Deadly Enemy
Heartworms are one of the most dangerous parasites for both dogs and cats. Mosquitoes transmit infection that may lead to the development of adult worms in the heart and lungs. Common signs of heartworm infection in dogs can include fatigue, coughing and weight loss. Heartworm disease is becoming more common in many parts of the United States. Failure to treat heartworm disease may result in heart failure and/or serious disease of the liver and kidneys. Untreated heartworm disease is usually fatal.

Heartworm Testing:
Heartworm testing is important. The American Heartworm Society recommends periodic testing for all dogs, including those already on a preventative. We recommend testing pets annually. Our heartworm test is an in-house test that requires a very small blood sample. It not only detects heartworm but also tests for E. Canis and Lyme Disease which are tick-borne diseases.

Heartworm Prevention is Key:
Treating adult heartworm infection in dogs can be difficult and costly – yet prevention is simple. There are several products available for heartworm prevention. We recommend and carry Revolution for both cats and dogs. In dogs, Revolution not only prevents Heartworm Infection, it also prevents and controls Flea Infestations, treats and controls Ear Mites and Sarcoptic Mites and controls American Dog Tick infestations. In cats, Revolution prevents heartworm as well as treats roundworm, hookworm, fleas and ear mites.

There are several additional types of heartworm, flea and tick preventatives.

Leptospirosis

Genoa Animal Hospital is currently recommending ALL dogs be vaccinated for Leptospirosis.

The reasons for the vaccination recommendation are:

  1.  Northern Illinois is a current “HOTBED” for the bacteria.
  2.  Wildlife easily spreads the disease including rats and mice. This means that urban environments are NOT safe.
  3.  Contaminated urine is highly contagious.
  4.  Healthy dogs can be shedders of the bacteria.
  5.  This creates a huge public health risk. People can become seriously ill and even die from this disease.

Your dog will be given a series of 2 vaccinations given 2-3 weeks apart to provide initial immunity. Yearly revaccination is required to maintain immunity.

Parainfluenza

This is a highly contagious airborne viral respiratory disease that lives in the lungs.

Parvovirus

This is a highly contagious disease contracted by contaminated feces. The disease can be carried by the dog’s hair and feet, contaminating cages, shoes and other objects. It causes severe diarrhea and vomiting and often leads to death.

Canine Influenza: The Dog Flu

Genoa Animal Hospital is currently recommending that ALL dogs be vaccinated for Canine Influenza (otherwise known as the dog flu).

The following are the reasons for this change in vaccine recommendation:

  1.  The virus is highly contagious and can explosively move through a community.
  2.  One strain of the infection will infect cats as well as dogs.
  3.  ALL dogs that are infected will develop some level of lung disease.
  4.  Protection against bacteria is compromised leading to potentially severe secondary bacterial infections. These infections can be very expensive to treat and can lead to death in some cases.
  5.  If we can get at least 70% of the dog in our area vaccinated, then a community outbreak can be prevented.
  6.  The greater Chicago area is a current “HOTBED” for the virus.

Vaccination protocol:

  1.  Your dog will need an initial series of 2 vaccinations given 2-3 weeks apart to provide initial protection.
  2.  Yearly revaccination is required.
  3.  Vaccination may not prevent illness, but will have many benefits.
    1. Vaccination will decrease clinical disease.
    2. This can be potentially lifesaving.
    3. This can greatly decrease treatment costs.
    4. Vaccination will decrease virus shedding and transmission.
    5. Vaccination will decrease virus levels in the lung and therefore decrease lung disease.

Protect your dog today by vaccination against Canine Influenza.

Rabies

Of all animal diseases, rabies is probably the most feared. It is transmitted by a bite. The rabies virus attacks the brain and is always fatal. This disease affects all mammals, including humans. Skunks, raccoons, foxes, and bats are the most common carriers of the rabies virus. All pets are at risk, even those that are not allowed outside. If for some reason a pet escapes accidentally from the home and encounters a wild animal infected with rabies they will not survive if unvaccinated. The vaccine is offered in a 1 year or a 3 year shot. The first time a rabies vaccine is given, it must be a 1 year. After that, you do have the option between the 1 and a 3 year vaccine.

Hepatitis

This is a contagious disease of the liver. It is contracted by direct contact with bodily fluids, blood, or urine. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. It can also cause severe kidney damage.