Protection for your pet
No loving pet owner wants to see their pet ill, and neither do we. That’s why we strongly recommend pet vaccinations for all of our patients here at Simcoe Veterinary Pet Hospital. We believe the best way to treat an illness is to prevent it from ever developing. Vaccinating your pet (which is usually done during wellness visits) is one of the easiest ways to do this. When updated regularly, vaccines help prevent a number of viruses and diseases that can affect pets. Simply bring your four-legged friend to our hospital, and we’ll do the rest!
A vaccine contains antigens that resemble a certain virus or disease, which then generates antibodies after the vaccine is injected into the body. As a result, the immune system will be better equipped to identify and fight off disease-causing organisms, if ever exposed to the real disease. There are two types of vaccines available for pets: core and non-core (see next question). Regardless of which type of vaccine your pet receives, the end result is the same: protection from a certain disease or virus.
Core Vs. Non-Core: What’s the Difference?
Core vaccines are considered essential for all pets based on the severity of the disease or the risk of exposure to a certain illness. The transmissibility of the disease from pets to humans is another factor of core vaccines. On the other hand, non-core vaccines are recommended ONLY based on the risk of exposure; not every pet needs non-core vaccines to be healthy. Feline leukemia (a contagious cat-to-cat virus) is an example of a non-core vaccine. It’s typically recommended for cats that go outside.
What Core Vaccines Does My Pet Need?
We can determine which vaccines your pet needs to be healthy during the wellness exam after conducting a wellness exam and assessing their lifestyle. Generally, the following are the core pet vaccines we recommend for our patients:
Vaccinations for Dogs:
- Canine parvovirus
- Canine distemper
- Canine hepatitis
- Rabies
Vaccinations for Cats:
- Feline distemper
- Feline calicivirus
- Feline rhinotracheitis
How Often Should My Pet Be Vaccinated?
Typically, vaccines need to be updated every 1-3 years to remain effective, since the antibodies that they create fade over time. We can customize a vaccination schedule for your pet based on age, health, and lifestyle. Give us a call at 705-726-8002 to make an appointment.
Pet Health & Wellness Plans
Our team works closely with you to ensure that your pet’s health care needs are met. We offer comprehensive wellness plans that include personalized programs for your pet, based on their lifestyle, health status, and needs. We invite you to explore our variety of health care plans. We can also help you determine which plan would be the most appropriate for your best friend’s needs.
Please contact the office if you have any questions about our Cat & Dog Pet Health Plans or to find the one that best suits your pet at 705-726-8002.
At Simcoe Veterinary Hospital, we want to build lasting relationships with our clients, based on education and trust. By focusing on preventive care, we can add more days of playing fetch with your dog and watching birds for your cat.