Vaccinations
Comprehensive Immunizations for Your Cat or Dog
Vaccinations are vital in pet care and can help protect your cat or dog from potentially harmful diseases. Our experienced veterinarians have the expertise necessary to provide pet vaccinations to ensure your cat or dog has the best possible protection against illnesses.
At Carolina Forest Animal Clinic, we are proud to offer quality pet vaccinations in Jacksonville, NC. We offer a full range of immunizations, including all core immunizations for cats and dogs. In some cases, pets require additional vaccines due to their breed, medical history, the climate in which they live, and other factors. These vaccines are referred to as non-core vaccinations as they are not necessary for all pets like core vaccines are. We will thoroughly examine and consider your dog or cat’s health and circumstances and recommend any additional non-core vaccines needed to stay healthy. Additionally, we offer routine boosters for all of the vaccines that we have available and will work with you to ensure your pets get the boosters they need when they need them.
Does your cat or dog need a vaccination? Give us a call at (910) 347-3030 to set up an appointment.
The Importance of Pet Vaccinations
Pet vaccinations are essential to pet health care, protecting against various contagious and potentially life-threatening diseases. Vaccinations help to prevent disease, reduce the impact of illness on pet populations, and minimize the spread of communicable infectious agents. Vaccines stimulate a pet’s immune system to produce antibodies that recognize and fight the specific organisms in the vaccine.
At our veterinary clinic, we take pet vaccinations very seriously and offer a wide range of immunizations to ensure your pet is protected from any health risks that may come their way. Our experienced veterinarians can provide your pet with personalized care and advice to ensure your pet receives only the best protection.
Our pet vaccination services include vaccinations for cats and dogs. We also offer pet health checks to ensure your pet is in good health before administering the vaccine. Our experienced veterinarians are here to provide your pet with the best care possible and ensure they stay healthy and happy. If you have any questions about our immunizations, call us today.
What Are Core Vaccinations for Pets?
Core pet vaccinations protect against common, serious, or highly contagious diseases. They are essential for pets because they protect against the diseases your pet is most likely to run into. Dogs and cats have their own core vaccines, as their biologies differ considerably.
The core vaccines for dogs include:
- Canine Parvovirus: The canine parvovirus (CPV) vaccine is a vaccine used to protect dogs against parvovirus, a highly contagious virus that can cause severe gastroenteritis, dehydration, and sepsis. The disease is hazardous for young, unvaccinated puppies, as it can quickly spread through the population and lead to high mortality rates.
- Distemper: Distemper is a highly contagious virus that affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. The disease can cause severe symptoms, such as coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and paralysis, and can be fatal in many cases.
- Canine Hepatitis: The canine hepatitis vaccine is a vaccine used to protect dogs against canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1), which causes canine hepatitis, a viral disease that primarily affects the liver and can also damage other organs, such as the kidneys and eyes. Symptoms of canine hepatitis can include fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and jaundice (yellowing skin and whites of the eyes). The disease can cause severe liver failure, bleeding disorders, and death.
- Rabies: The rabies vaccine protects dogs against rabies, a deadly virus affecting the central nervous system. Rabies is primarily spread through the bite of an infected animal but can also be transmitted through scratches or open wounds. If a dog shows symptoms of rabies, such as confusion, aggression, paralysis, or seizures, it is crucial to seek veterinary care immediately, as the disease is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. However, with prompt and appropriate treatment, dogs can make a full recovery and go on to live healthy lives.
The core vaccinations for cats include:
- Panleukopenia: The panleukopenia vaccine, also known as the feline distemper vaccine, is used to protect cats against panleukopenia, a highly contagious and potentially fatal virus that affects the intestinal tract and the central nervous system.
- Feline Calicivirus: The feline calicivirus is a highly contagious virus that causes respiratory infections and oral ulcerations in cats. Symptoms of feline calicivirus can include sneezing, nasal discharge, fever, loss of appetite, and oral ulcers. In severe cases, the virus can cause pneumonia, which can be life-threatening.
- Feline Herpesvirus Type I: Feline herpesvirus type I (FHV-1) is a virus that affects cats. It is a leading cause of respiratory infections, conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eyes), and corneal ulcers in cats. The virus is easily spread from infected cats to other cats through direct contact with contaminated objects, such as food dishes and litter boxes. Symptoms of FHV-1 can include sneezing, nasal discharge, eye discharge, conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, and fever. In severe cases, the virus can cause pneumonia, which can be life-threatening.
- Rabies: The rabies vaccine for cats is functionally the same as the one given to dogs in that it protects against rabies. The main difference is that the rabies vaccine for cats is designed for a feline's biology.
Whether you have a cat or dog, the above vaccinations are necessary for your pet to have a long and happy life. If you have any questions, we are glad to help. Just contact us at your earliest convenience.
What Are Non-Core Vaccinations?
A non-core vaccine is an optional pet vaccine that pet owners can choose to give their pet in addition to the core vaccines. Non-core pet vaccinations are recommended based on the pet’s lifestyle, environment, and other factors, such as potential exposure to diseases or geographic location.
Non-core pet vaccines may include canine flu, Bordetella, leptospirosis, and feline leukemia. Our veterinary team will discuss your pet’s lifestyle and potential risks to determine which pet vaccinations are recommended.
Contact Us for Comprehensive Pet Vaccinations
At Carolina Forest Animal Clinic, we proudly provide pet vaccinations in Jacksonville, NC. Since 2011, our team has worked hard to keep the pets in our community happy, healthy, and prepared for the future. For any information on vaccines, please reach out to our team.
Does your dog or cat need a vaccination? Give us a call at (910) 347-3030 or contact us online to make an appointment today.