Regular vaccinations are one of the cornerstones of good preventive health care for dogs and cats. When administered by your veterinarian, vaccines provide cost-effective protection against infectious and contagious diseases for both pets and people.  Vaccines help prevent many contagious illnesses, including ones that can be fatal, that pets may encounter if they are outdoors at all, socialize with other animals in public places, or travel with you.

Our team can help offer you some of the best advice regarding your pet’s vaccination plan, which can help lead to many happy years of health and wellness. Our doctors can help to tailor a vaccination protocol for your pet based on his or her individual risk factors.  Our pets are faced with many deadly infectious diseases, and vaccines can help protect them. Over the years, vaccines against dangerous diseases have saved millions of pets and virtually eliminated some fatal diseases that were once common.

Rabies Vaccination

• All dogs, cats and ferrets within Clark County are required to be vaccinated for rabies at 3 months of age, and as needed thereafter. The first vaccination is good for one year and subsequent vaccinations are good for three years.
• Proof of prior rabies vaccination is necessary to give a rabies certificate for a three-year duration.
• Rabies is a zoonotic disease (can infect humans) caused by a virus that is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal. It is 100% fatal once contracted. Even indoor-only pets have been documented to be infected with rabies, thus the vaccination is necessary for all pets.

Recommended Vaccinations

These vaccines are recommended by the American Animal Hospital Association:

• Dogs:
• DAPP – distemper, adenovirus I & II, parainfluenza, parvovirus (All five vaccines given in one shot)
• Bordetella – to protect against kennel cough
  
• Cats:
• FVRCP – feline viral rhinotrachetitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia (All in one shot)

Additional Vaccinations Based on your pet’s risk:

• Influenza – Dogs also are susceptible to the flu.  This vaccine may be recommended for boarding, grooming, or dog park interactions. Canine influenza vaccination can be given at 6 weeks of age followed by a booster 2-4 weeks later.
• West Russell Animal Hospital requires canine influenza vaccine for boarding.
• Leptospirosis – This vaccine is recommended for dogs that will be hiking, camping, and generally playing in bodies of water as a way to help protect against this possibly fatal disease. Leptospirosis vaccination can be given at 12 weeks of age followed by a booster in 4 weeks.
• Lyme vaccine – This vaccine may be recommended if your dog will be spending time in tick-endemic areas (the east coast, forested areas).
• Feline Leukemia – This is a vaccine intended for kittens, especially recommended if planning on allowing them outside. Prior to vaccination, a leukemia test should be run to make sure your cat does not have this disease. This vaccine should be given at 8 and 12 weeks.
• Canine Rattlesnake Vaccine – This vaccine can be useful in decreasing the effects of the western diamondback rattlesnake venom. It is usually only recommended if the dog has frequent encounters with rattlesnakes, such as pets that hike frequently. If a vaccinated dog experiences a snake bite they will still need medical evaluation, as the severity of the effects of the venom is only decreased but not eliminated with this vaccine.