Canine Vaccination Recommendations

  • Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza Combination Vaccination – Recommended for all dogs.
  • Rabies Vaccination – Recommended for all dogs and required by PA State Law. Rabies is a deadly disease that can be transmitted to people so it is best to keep your pet up to date on this vaccination for the safety of yourself, those around you, and your pet.
  • Leptospirosis Vaccination – Recommended for any dog that may drink from streams, rivers, brooks, lakes or outdoor puddles. This is a serious, potentially fatal group of diseases that is shed in the urine of infected animals such as rats, foxes, skunks and raccoons. In addition to being dangerous to your dog, this disease may be transmitted to people.
  • Lyme Disease Vaccination – Any dog that is exposed to ticks or has the potential of being exposed to ticks should be vaccinated for Lyme disease. The incidence of Lyme disease in the dog population of Eastern Montgomery County is over 60 percent. The most common outward signs of this disease are lameness and kidney failure, but many infected dogs show no outward signs of disease. Protecting your dog requires vaccination as well as the year-round use of a good flea and tick product such as Credelio or Bravecto. The Seresto Collar is a great option for flea and tick prevention as well.
  • Bordetella Vaccination – Sometimes referred to as the “kennel cough” vaccination. This vaccination is only for dogs that congregate with other dogs especially in closed environments such as kennels or grooming facilities. Dogs who frequent dog parks should also receive this vaccination.
  • Canine Influenza – Canine influenza (CI, or dog flu) is caused by the canine influenza virus (CIV), an influenza A virus. It is highly contagious and easily spread from infected dogs to other dogs by direct contact, nasal secretions (through barking, coughing or sneezing), contaminated objects (kennel surfaces, food and water bowls, collars and leashes), and by people moving between infected and uninfected dogs. Dogs of any breed, age, sex or health status are at risk of infection when exposed to the virus.

Feline Vaccination Recommendations

  • Distemper-Upper Respiratory Combination Vaccination – Recommended for all cats. This vaccination protects cats from Panleukopenia (feline distemper) and a number of severe feline upper respiratory diseases.
  • Rabies Vaccination – Recommended for all cats and required by PA State Law.
  • Feline Leukemia Vaccination – Recommended for all cats that spend time outdoors, even short periods of time. This is a fatal disease that suppresses the cat’s immune system much like AIDS does in people. It can be transmitted by fighting, sharing food or water dishes, mutual grooming, and sharing litter pans or outdoor toilet areas.
  • Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Vaccination – Recommended for cats that get into fights while they’re outdoors. This is another immunosuppressive disease, but it can only be transmitted through bite wounds when cats fight.
  • Feline Infectious Peritonitis Vaccination – This is a fatal disease of cats that is usually a problem in catteries or cat breeding establishments. It is not a recommended vaccination for the normal cat population.