Health Exams & Vaccinations
Health Exams
Canine Vaccinations
Feline Vaccinations
Vaccine Reactions
Health Exams:
The annual exam can be more important to the health of your pet than annual vaccinations without an exam. A physical exam allows us to carefully monitor changes in your pet's health and potentially diagnose a problem before it has a chance to become serious.
It is at your pet’s annual wellness visit that we will examine him from the tip of his nose to the end of his tail. We will routinely record your pet’s temperature and weight. We’ll check his eyes, his ears, his teeth, his tail, and everything in between. We may recommend taking a blood sample to ensure that all essential levels are within normal limits, and advise you regarding any recommended testing for heartworms. We ask that you bring in a fresh fecal sample, and we’ll check for internal as well as external parasites. We can discuss nutrition, exercise, grooming and behavioral habits or concerns. We’ll ensure that your pet is current on vaccinations to protect him against serious diseases.
Many pets, especially cats, can mask discomfort. Any small change in behavior could indicate an important change in your pet’s health. As your pet’s voice, it is important that you convey to us any differences in your pet’s behavior at the examination appointment.
Vaccinations: 
One of the most important things you can do to give your pet a long and healthy life is to vaccinate him against common diseases. The immunity that a puppy or kitten receives from his mother begins to diminish within weeks after birth. After that it is up to you to provide your pet protection against many serious diseases through providing vaccinations at regular intervals for the rest of his life.
The type and frequency of vaccinations and boosters your pet needs will be determined during the physical exam. We will tailor make your individual pet's wellness program taking several factors into consideration, such as your pet’s lifestyle, life stage, and risk of exposure. Since the protection provided by a vaccine may gradually decline after a pet is vaccinated, periodic revaccination is strongly recommended. We will begin your pet on a regular schedule to maximize his protection, monitor his vaccination status, and notify you when it is time for a booster.
1. DHPP vaccine includes protection against a group of diseases which includes Canine Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus and Parainfluenza all together in one injection.
Canine Distemper: Vaccination against this often fatal and difficult-to-treat disease is essential. Canine Distemper is highly contagious and widespread among the canine population. Unprotected dogs can develop this disease and many may die, especially young puppies. A dog with distemper may have diarrhea, fever, respiratory symptoms, seizures, muscular twitches, and watery discharge from the eyes and nose. The Distemper booster is generally given annually.
Canine Hepatitis: Hepatitis is spread primarily through coming into contact with infected secretions such as urine, saliva or feces. The virus attacks organs throughout an unprotected dog’s body, producing fever, respiratory disease, enlarged lymph nodes, abdominal pain, liver and eye damage, and changes in the blood. This disease can range from mild to fatal. The Hepatitis booster is generally given annually.
Canine Parvovirus: This disease is very contagious, debilitating, and widespread. It is spread through infected feces. Parvovirus is a major intestinal disease, especially among younger dogs. The virus causes extreme diarrhea and vomiting. The loss of fluids and other toxic effects quite often lead to death, most often in young pups and elderly dogs. Vaccination is the only certain method of preventing this potentially fatal disease. The Parvovirus booster is generally given annually.
Canine Parainfluenza: Parainfluenza is caused by a virus which produces a respiratory tract infection. It is a highly contagious virus, whose symptoms can be similar to kennel cough and range from mild to severe. The Parainfluenza booster is generally given annually.
2. DHLPP vaccination adds the vaccine for Leptospirosis to those diseases included in the DHPP injection. This is not recommended for all dogs, and we will advise you whether or not the Leptospirosis vaccine is recommended for your pet.
Canine Leptospirosis: Other dogs and even humans can become infected with this bacterial disease through contact with infected urine. An infected dog can spread Leptospirosis bacteria for months after it has been sick. It can affect dogs of any age by damaging liver, kidneys and other major organs. The Leptospirosis vaccine is not long-lasting and a booster should be given at least annually in those pets that are considered at higher risk, such as active hunters, dogs that have access to livestock and wildlife, frequent dog parks or swim in ponds, rivers and lakes.
3. Canine Rabies: Rabies is a deadly, yet preventable, viral disease found in most counties in California including Alameda County. Alameda County has been declared a “Rabies Area” since 1958. Rabies is most often transmitted through the saliva of a rabid mammal such as a skunk, raccoon, bat, fox, coyote, badger or weasel. Rodents and rabbits are considered very low risk for rabies, and there is no risk for rabies from reptiles, birds or insects. It affects the central nervous system of almost all mammals, including humans. There is no cure for rabies, but vaccination will provide your pet with a much greater resistance if he is exposed. All dogs are required by State Law to be vaccinated for rabies. The vaccine is administered as an individual vaccination. Dogs which are first vaccinated must be revaccinated one year later, then the interval for revaccination is every 3 years thereafter.
4. Bordetella (Canine Kennel Cough): Just like our common cold, this respiratory-tract infection is easily transmitted from one dog to another. This is a common disease that dogs may acquire when in an environment with many other dogs. It is caused by various airborne bacteria and viruses. Bordetella is a bacteria that can cause Kennel Cough, and the Bordetella vaccination is recommended every 6 to 12 months depending on the frequency that your dog is boarded, groomed or taken to puppy classes. Your dog should be vaccinated at least 3 weeks before boarding to maximize protection.
The type and frequency of vaccinations your cat needs will be determined during the routine examination. Since the protection provided by a vaccine may gradually decline over time, annual revaccination is usually necessary for your cat.
1. FVRCP: This single vaccination protects your cat against a group of diseases which includes FelineViral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus and Panleukopenia. A booster is recommended annually.
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis is similar to the human common cold. This virus causes an upper respiratory tract infection with symptoms such as moderate fever, loss of appetite, sneezing, eye and nasal discharge, and coughing. It is easily transmitted from one cat to another. This disease can be dangerous in any unprotected cat, especially kittens. A recovered cat can continue to infect other animals, as well as experience chronic sneezing and runny eyes.
Feline Calicivirus is a viral infection and another major cause of upper respiratory tract infection. It is widespread, highly contagious, and difficult to treat. There are multiple forms of the calici virus and the disease can range from mild to severe depending on the strain of virus present. Symptoms can include fever, ulcers and blisters on the tongue, pneumonia, and severe limping.
Feline Panleukopenia is also known as Feline Distemper. Treatment is very difficult and the disease is often fatal. This disease is so resistant that it can survive up to one year outside of the cat’s body. Because of this, most cats will become exposed to it at some time in their life. If an unprotected cat is exposed, the risk of infection is 90-100%. If a cat recovers, it can continue to spread the disease to other unprotected cats. Symptoms include listlessness, diarrhea, vomiting, severe dehydration and fever. The good news is that the vaccine is very effective in preventing the disease.
2. FeLV: This vaccination helps to protect your cat against Feline Leukemia. After initial exposure, a cat can show no symptoms for months, even years, while continuing to infect other cats. Once the cat shows symptoms of infection, mortality rates are 100%. Health problems can include cancerous conditions such as leukemia to a wide range of secondary infections caused by the destruction of its immune response system. Testing is available to determine the FeLV status of your cat, and if he has not been exposed, vaccination against this disease is recommended if your cat roams outside and may have contact with other outdoor cats.
3. Feline Rabies: Feline Rabies is an incurable disease which affects the central nervous system of almost all mammals, including humans. Vaccinating against rabies is highly recommended if your cat will spend any time outside. It is spread through saliva, and is most often contracted through the bite of an infected animal such as a skunk, raccoon, bat, fox, coyote, or weasel. There is a low risk for contracting rabies from rodents or rabbits, and no risk from reptiles, birds or insects. Vaccination against rabies will give your cat a much greater resistance to rabies if he is exposed.
It is always wise to monitor your pet carefully for any possible vaccine reaction up to 48 hours following a vaccination. Possible reactions include stiffness, discomfort at the injection site, and tiredness. More uncommon reactions can be serious and include facial swelling, diarrhea, vomiting and hives, all of which should be reported immediately for treatment.