Which vaccines does my dog or cat need?

Here is what we recommend (Please note that every veterinarian or clinic may have recommendations different than ours based on their experience and the manufacturer of their products):

It is crucial your pet be dewormed with each vaccine. We do carry combo dewormer at our Community Clinics and will offer it to you with each vaccine. Puppies and kittens are born with intestinal parasites. Due to the mild winters we experience in South Texas, intestinal parasites are common year-round. If intestinal parasites are not treated, this could result in the death of our pet.

Dogs (less than 4 months of age): need three sets of DAPPv (with 2-3 weeks between each vaccine), then on the 4th vaccine, they need DAPPv+L4 (which is given after 4 months of age).

Dogs (over 4 months of age): need DAPPv+L4. If your pet has never been vaccinated, you may return in 2-3 weeks for a DAPPv booster.

Cats (less than 4 months of age that will be strictly indoor): need at least one set of HCPCH, then in 2-3 weeks after their kitten vaccine, they need HCPCH+FelV.

Cats (less than 4 months of age that will be indoor/ outdoor): need two sets of HCPCH (with 2-3 weeks between each vaccine), then on the 3rd vaccine, they need HCPCH+FelV (which is given after 4 months of age).

Cats (over 4 months of age): need HCPCH+FelV. If your pet has never been vaccinated, you may return in 2-3 weeks for an HCPCH booster.

Rabies Vaccine: is a legal requirement for all pets over 4 months of age. Please note that we do not carry this vaccine at our Community Clinics, and it is only available through our Spay/ Neuter Assistance Program. If you like and follow our page on Facebook, we do share when Rabies Vaccine Clinics will be available to the community. If you are following our page, those posts will appear in your feed.

What is HCPCH or HCPCH+FelV and why is it important for my cat to receive these vaccines?

HCPCH protects your cat against: Rhinotracheitis (FVR), Calici, Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper), and Chlamydia Psittaci. These viruses can lead to death of your cat, if they were to contract these illnesses. There are no cures for these viruses, so the best course of action is prevention.

HCPCH+FelV: includes protection against all of the above mentioned viruses but gives additional protection for your cat against Feline Leukemia Virus. Texas has one of the highest rates of Feline Leukemia Virus. There is no cure and it is highly contagious. Besides the suffering your cat would endure if they were to contract Feline Leukemia, the cost for regular supportive care can range from $400 per month or more.

What is DAPPv or DAPPv+L4 and why is it important for my dog to receive these vaccines?

DAPPv protects your dog against: Parainfluenza, Adenovirus type 1 (Hepatitis), Adenovirus type 2 (respiratory disease), Canine Distemper, and Parvo Virus. These viruses can lead to the death of your dog, if they were to contract these illnesses. There are no cures for these viruses, so it is best to prevent your pet from contracting these illnesses.

DAPPv+L4: includes protection against all of the above mentioned viruses but gives additional protection for your dog against Leptospirosis (a bacterial infection that can also spread to humans). To not only prevent illness for your pet, this vaccine is recommend to prevent illness to you and your family.

What is Bordetella and why is it important for my dog to receive this inoculation?

Bordetella, commonly referred to as kennel cough, is a common upper respiratory disease among dogs. Often times, dogs may have these bacteria in their system but not show any outwards signs or symptoms. This is most especially concerning for dogs that go to grooming, dog parks, or other places where there are multiple dogs. Receiving inoculation for Bordetella is no different than humans getting vaccinated against the flu or Covid. Each situation is different, but if your pet goes to grooming, dog parks, or places where they will come into contact with other dogs, this is highly recommended. An untreated bacterial infection could lead to very serious complications that include death.

Why are nail trims so important?

It is important to trim your pet’s nails every 6-8 weeks. Most pets have a de-claw and if not trimmed properly, it can grow too long and curve back into the skin. If the nail penetrates the skin, it can be painful for your pet to walk, and lead to infection. This could also result in the need for amputation of the toe and/ or part of the foot. The other nails also need to be trimmed. If the nails grow too long, it will change the positioning of your pet’s feet on the ground and cause disruption and discomfort in their posture. This could lead to premature arthritis. If you are unable to trim your pet’s nails, we highly recommend that you bring them to us and let us help you.

Why are ear cleanings important and why must my pet have their hair removed prior to an ear cleaning?

Regular ear cleaning is important to prevent infection in your pet’s ears. Concerns in the ears could also be a result of some other medical concern such as food allergies, ear mites, or even injury. Breeds with long hair on their bodies such as Persian cats, shi tzu, schnauzers, etc… tend to have long hair in their ears. If that hair is left in their ears, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria which can cause an infection in your pet’s ears. This is why we must remove hair from certain breeds prior to ear cleaning. We are trained to know the difference between the concerns that can arise in your pet’s ears. If you are unable to clean your pet’s ears yourself, or you have concerns, we recommend that you bring your pet to us for our low-cost services.

Why would my cat need to be tested for AIDS/ Leukemia?

AIDS and Leukemia are highly contagious and have no cure. There is currently no vaccine available for the prevention of AIDS. If you have adopted/ purchased/ rescued a cat, it is important to keep it separate from other pets until you have it tested. You would not want you resident pets to contract AIDS or Leukemia. Due to the fact that these diseases can easily spread to other pets, we ask that you do not bring a potentially sick pet to our Community Clinics. We offer private appointments for testing.

Why does my dog need to be tested for Heartworms and tick diseases?

Heartworms is highly contagious, costly to treat, and easily preventable. Untreated heartworms can result in the death of your pet. Any dog, even one on flea and tick prevention, can contract tick disease. It only takes on infected tick to bite your pet and spread the disease. This is why we recommend annual testing. The test checks for Ehrlichia, Anaplasmosis, and Lyme. Untreated tick disease can lead to the death of your pet. Unfortunately, Lyme can spread from your pet to you and other family members. It is important to get tick diseases treated right away before they cause any long-lasting affects to your pet or spread to you and your other family members.