Vaccinations

DO YOU KNOW – Which Vaccines Your Pet Should Have?

August is National Immunization Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of vaccinations, not just for humans but also for pets. It’s the perfect time to double-check that your pet is up-to-date with their vaccinations!

Why Vaccinate Your Pets?

Regularly scheduled wellness exams and vaccines keep your pet healthy. Vaccinating pets is an ongoing process, starting when they’re young and continuing throughout their lives. Vaccinations help to prevent diseases.

Different Vaccines:

Pet vaccines are usually split into two categories:

Core Vaccines are vaccines that are considered essential and are recommended for all pets. They protect pets from severe life-threatening diseases caused by viruses that have a global distribution. 

  • Core vaccines for dogs: Parvo, Distemper, Hepatitis (adenovirus), Rabies
  • Core vaccines for cats: Feline panleukopenia (distemper), Feline calicivirus, feline herpesvirus (rhinotracheitis), Rabies, Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) (considered core in kittens)
  • In fact, current rabies vaccinations are required in many states to protect people and pets.

Non-core Vaccines are considered optional and given based on your pet’s lifestyle (staying inside, meeting with other pets, etc.), where you live, and your pet’s medical history. Several non-core vaccines protect against highly contagious or potentially life-threatening diseases. 

  • Non-core vaccines for dogs: Bordetella, Borrelia, Leptospirosis, Influenza
  • Non-core vaccines for cats: Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) (considered noncore in adults), Bordetella, Feline chlamydiosis
A vet listening to a dog's heart with a stethascope

When Should Your Pet Get Vaccinated?

The vaccination schedule for cats and dogs can vary, but typically kittens and puppies get their first vaccines when they’re around 6-8 weeks old. After that, they receive additional vaccines every 3-4 weeks until they’re about 16 weeks old. Once this initial series is completed, boosters are generally given annually or every three years, depending on the vaccine and the pet’s risk factors. 

As a responsible pet parent, it is vital to actively participate in the vaccination process. Regular vet visits ensure your pet receives their vaccines and stay healthy. A happy pet starts with good health, so take a moment to check if your fur babies are up-to-date on their vaccinations so they can live a long and joyful life. 

If your pet needs vaccines, book an appointment at our Wellness Clinic. Our clinic offers weekday appointments for routine veterinary care and vaccinations. Book today.

Sources: 

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/vaccines-for-dogs

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/vaccines-for-cats

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Newton County Residents and Their Pets Get the Help They Need!

 

This past Saturday, 224 pets received much needed assistance in Newton County. Planned PEThood’s outreach team, Go Fix Georgia, teamed up with Newton County Animal Control to provide free vet care and supplies to pet owners in need. In total, we were able to help 171 dogs and 53 cats and provide:

 

  • 194 rabies vaccines
  • 206 distemper vaccines
  • 193 microchips
  • 130 spay/neuter vouchers
  • 2,000+ lbs of pet food, leashes and collars

 

 

The need for outreach events like this was obvious. Hundreds of people lined up early in the chilly morning, some getting there hours before the event started. Owning a pet right now is hard. Vet care might be the last thing you can afford. These events help ensure the wellness of pets in the community and reduce overpopulation through free spay/neuter. We plan to continue working with Newton County and other counties to host outreach events like this in the future.

There were so many amazing organizations and volunteers that came together to help make this event successful. Without their support this would never have been possible. THANK YOU ALL!

Event Sponsor:

HALO (Hospice and Love Organization) – Newton County-based animal welfare agency 

Other Assistance Provided by:

Newton County Animal Control

Banfield Pet Foundation 

Atlanta Humane Society 

Petco Love 

Bissell Pet Foundation

GA Department of Agriculture

 

Free distemper vaccines were provided thanks to Petco Love and the vaccination campaign. The free vaccines are made possible through Petco Love’s national vaccination initiative, which is providing 1 million free pet vaccines to its existing animal welfare partners, including Planned PEThood of GA. An estimated 30% of pet parents do not take their pet to a veterinarian annually for preventative care. To address this critical need, we have partnered with Petco Love to make pet vaccines free and accessible in an effort to ensure the health and wellness of our beloved pets.  #VaccinatedAndLoved

 

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