Vaccinations
Dog & Cat Vaccinations in Fresno, CA
Your Sunnyside Pet Hospital veterinarian will be able to advise you of the frequency that your pet should be examined, but most recommend either annual or six-monthly visits.
This is because pets age an average of 7 times faster than humans and so by the time they reach 6/7 years old they are considered middle-aged. Larger breeds of dogs are often considered to be seniors by the time they reach eight years old.
If you’re stopping by our Fresno, CA location for vaccinations, spaying, or flea and tick treatment, contact us today!
Typical Components Of a Wellness Examination Include:
Checking the central nervous center
Checking and cleaning the ears, treating if required
Checking joints and mobility
Checking skin and condition of coat
Checking urinary and reproductive systems
Dental examination
Eye examination
Listen to the heart
Listen to the lungs
Observation of alertness and response
Palpate the abdomen checking for painful areas and/or growths or tumors
Physical examination of the rest of the body for unusual lumps
Weight check
Other Tests That Your Pet May Be Given Include:
Heartworm Testing – (otherwise known as blood parasite screening)
Fecal Testing – This allows the veterinarian to check for the presence of internal parasites such as hookworms, roundworms and whipworms
Blood Work – Blood tests screen for infection or disease that may not otherwise be detected through a physical examination. Blood work also allows a veterinarian a comprehensive assessment of your pets’ health.
Vaccinations and Examinations
When to vaccinate?
Puppies and kittens are usually protected from infectious diseases by their mother’s milk provided she has been adequately vaccinated. However this protection only lasts for a short while.
- Puppies should start their vaccine series at 6-8 weeks.
- Kittens should be vaccinated at 9 and 12 weeks.
- Boosters should be given 12 months after the date of the first cat or dog vaccinations
If you have an older pet then your veterinarian will be able to advise the correct dog or cat vaccinations protocol that you should follow.
Dog Vaccinations
Dogs should be routinely vaccinated against:
- Canine distemper
- Canine parvovirus
- Infectious canine hepatitis
- Leptospirosis
- Rabies
If your dog is going to spending time in kennels then you should also inquire about getting them vaccinated against kennel cough. The vaccine is usually given via the nostrils and protects against bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza virus.
Cat Vaccinations
Cats should be routinely vaccinated against:
- Feline calicivirus
- Feline herpes virus
- Feline infectious enteritis
- Feline leukemia virus
- Rabies
(Current guidelines recommend that only ‘at risk’ cats are vaccinated against feline leukemia virus. Those deemed at risk include kittens and immune-compromised cats).
