At Animal Clinic of Milford, we know that vaccinations are a key part of your pet’s path to wellness. Keeping your pet fully vaccinated has long been considered one of the best ways to help them live a long and healthy life. Vaccines offer your pet additional protection against a variety of diseases and viruses such as rabies, Lyme, parvovirus, distemper, and more.

Vaccines are designed to prevent many illnesses that affect pets. The primary ingredients in vaccines are antigens. These antigens are similar in structure to disease-causing organisms but they don’t cause illness. Instead, they stimulate the body’s immune system and cause a mild immune response. Then, if your pet is exposed to the actual illness later in life, their immune system will be able to better recognize the intruder and fight it off.

Different Types of Shots For Dogs Offered At Our Milford Clinic

There are not only different vaccines for each specific disease. Some vaccines carry a combination of antigens that offer protection against several serious illnesses. For example, a core vaccine for dogs is the DHPP, which protects against:

  • Distemper
  • Hepatitis
  • Parainfluenza
  • Parvovirus

Due to the recent outbreak of canine influenza, we also offer the bivalent vaccine which provides dogs with protection against both the H3N2 and H3N8 strains. Only one booster shot is required following the initial injection, and your pet will be protected for the next 12 months.

If your dog frequently boards, visits the groomer, or goes to the dog park, they could be at risk of infection. Symptoms of canine influenza include coughing, sneezing, fever, lethargy, and nasal ocular discharge.

FVRCP, a core vaccine for cats, is another combination vaccine; it protects cats against:

  • Feline viral rhinotracheitis
  • Calicivirus
  • Panleukopenia

In addition to these core vaccines, it’s essential that both cats and dogs receive a vaccination against rabies.

Your Pet’s Vaccination Schedule

Vaccinations do carry some risks in addition to their many benefits. That’s why we believe in personalizing vaccination protocols for each pet. We’ll make recommendations for a vaccine schedule specific to your pet based on their age, lifestyle, and risk of exposure. For instance, if your pet spends a lot of time in boarding or day care facilities, they’ll need to be protected against kennel cough, a highly contagious condition. Or if you take your dog on long hikes, they’ll need to receive a vaccination for Lyme disease.

  • Leptosporosis

When your pet comes in to receive their vaccinations, we’ll discuss their lifestyle and needs with you to ensure that they’re receiving the protection they need. If you have any questions about pet vaccines or if you’d like to schedule an appointment to have your pet vaccinated, feel free to give us a call at (203) 882-8311.