Puppies and kittens should begin their health care programs including complete physical examinations, ova and parasite analysis, de-worming, and appropriate vaccinations at 6-8 weeks of age.

Why does my pet need to be vaccinated every year?

The immunity produced by many vaccines diminishes after only one year. This is especially true for bacterial diseases such as Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme disease and feline rabies vaccines. To maintain your pet's protection, their immune systems need a "refresher course", or booster, every year. Other vaccines produce protection for varying amounts of time depending on the animal's age, health status, number of previous vaccines and severity of challenge.

Why does my pet need an examination every time it receives vaccinations?

Vaccinating your pet is routine, but not without risk. Vaccines are potent biologicals. Occasionally, life threatening vaccine reactions do occur. Appraising the health status of your pet to minimize risk is paramount in the decision to vaccinate or not. Only your veterinarian is qualified to make that decision.

Why is my cat's rabies vaccine good for only one year while my dog's rabies vaccine lasts for three years?

Three-year rabies vaccines contain chemicals to stimulate the immune system and prolong immunity to rabies. These chemicals have been implicated as contributing to vaccine related cancer in cats. One-year vaccines do not contain these chemicals, are safer for the cat, but must be boosted annually.

If my cat stays indoors, why does it need a rabies shot?

There are several reasons why an indoor cat needs to be vaccinated against rabies, both of which revolve around the fact that rabies is a deadly viral infection and can be easily transmitted to people.

1. The Oneida County Health Department recommends testing (euthanizing the animal to test the brain) or strict quarantine for any animal that bites a person. Vaccination protects your animal from being tested.
2. Many of the common carriers of rabies, including bats, are able to enter our homes easily and infect our pets. What your cat may think is a chew-toy is potentially a route to rabies exposure.
3. It is required by New York State law.

Is the Bordetella vaccination just for boarding my pet?

Any pet in any environment can benefit from the Bordetella vaccination. Similar to human cold viruses, it is easily spread via airborne aerosolization. Although pets that are groomed or boarded regularly are at a higher risk, any pet can be exposed, even at home. We infrequently treat tracheo-bronchitis (kennel cough) within our client base at New Hartford Animal Hospital because we encourage regular Bordetella vaccination starting as puppies.

Does Distemper have anything to do with my pet's temperament?

Distemper does not change the temperament of your pet. Distemper is an often-fatal virus that can affect the respiratory, gastrointestinal, nervous and integument (skin) systems. Proper vaccination protects your pet from this disease.

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