Frequently Asked Veterinary Questions

Pet Wellness & Vaccination FAQs

When should I vaccinate my new puppy or kitten?

At six weeks, puppies and kittens are vaccinated every three weeks until they are 4 1/2 months of age.
Why is it important to give 1st-time adult vaccination boosters three weeks later?

When initiating vaccination protection, it takes two antigenic exposures to fully alert the immune system of the disease organism except for Rabies, a one-time dose. Thus, when first protecting a pet from Lymes, Distemper, Parvo, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Feline Distemper, Leukemia, or Feline Aids, the vaccination needs to be given twice to get protection. The optimum time period between the two vaccinations is 3 to 4 weeks. After initial immunization, only one vaccine is required annually.
Why is Bordatella given twice a year instead of annually?

Research shows that Bordetella protection lasts only 90 to 120 days, requiring continuous protection for 3 to 4 boosters annually. For convenience, most pet owners get Bordetella protection only twice annually. Many dogs get protection more frequently if they frequently come in contact with other dogs, such as at groom shops, city parks, boarding kennels, etc. Lymes disease, spread by ticks and becoming more prevalent every year in our area, making annual immunization an important protection.

Does my pet feel pain while under anesthesia?

Much research has been performed to determine which anesthetic agents provide our pets with the most analgesia or protection from pain. We offer pain medication to take home after every surgical procedure.
Why should I spay or neuter my pet?

Spaying and neutering are important parts of responsible pet ownership. Having your pet spayed or neutered prevents unwanted litters, undesirable behaviors, and future medical issues like pyometra and prostate cancer.
When should I spay or neuter my pet?

Spay and neuter surgeries are generally performed at the time of the final set of puppy or kitten vaccines at approximately four to five months of age. However, the procedures can be performed at any age as long as the pet is healthy.