Why Vaccines Are Essential For Happy, Healthy Pets
One of the most confusing aspects of being a new pet parent is trying to figure out which vaccinations your pet needs and when. City By The Sea Veterinary Hospital is here to help you make sense out of pet vaccinations in Asbury Park, NJ. Whether you have a puppy or kitten at home, you want your furry friend to be happy and healthy, and that’s what our compassionate staff wants for them too.
Vaccines protect animals from infectious diseases, but they also protect you and the public at large from diseases that can be passed from animals to humans. Some pet vaccinations are required by law, such as rabies shots for dogs. Others are recommended based on the most common diseases found in your area. Even if you have an indoor pet, vaccinations are still essential to their overall health and well-being. If it’s time for your cat’s or dog’s first vaccinations, please contact us today to schedule an appointment or to request more information!
We Follow The American Animal Hospital Association's Guidelines
In addition to pet vaccinations, we also offer vaccine boosters and vaccine antibody testing to ensure we suggest the best vaccines for your pet. You won’t ever have to worry about us attempting to over-vaccinate your pets.
At City By The Sea Veterinary Hospital, we follow the vaccination guidelines established by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). We understand that not every cat or dog needs every vaccination, and not every immunization must be administered on an annual basis.
What's The Difference Between Core & Non-Core Vaccines?
Core vaccines are the ones that must be given to your pet, usually, every three years after your pet turns one year old. Non-core vaccines are the ones we recommend yearly, although they’re not required.
Core Vaccines
Every dog and cat does not need every vaccine and certainly not every year! But some vaccines ARE needed for every pet. These are called Core vaccines and we recommend they be boostered every 3 years after your pet turns 1 year. They include Rabies and the feline and canine distemper combo vaccines.
The DA2PP (distemper combo) vaccine for dogs contains vaccination against Distemper virus, Adenovirus type-2, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus. The FVRCP (Feline distemper combo) vaccine contains vaccination against Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (feline herpesvirus), Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia. These are some of the most contagious, prevalent, and deadly viruses your pet can come in contact with. To learn more about these serious diseases, check out our pet health library page for important information.
Non-Core Vaccines
Non-core vaccines are vaccines for dogs and cats that are most at-risk for coming into contact with these little buggers. It is recommended to booster these vaccines yearly for your pet.
Canine Non-core Vaccines: Bordetella (Kennel cough), Borrelia burdorferi (Lyme Disease), Leptospirosis, and Influenza.
Feline Non-core Vaccines: Feline Leukemia Virus
How Common Are Severe Reactions To Pet Vaccinations?
While we do only administer pet vaccinations that are deemed safe at our veterinary practice, you should be aware that reactions do occasionally occur. The most common reactions we see include soreness at the injection site or general lethargy. Other less frequent but more severe reactions include vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, anemia, and in very rare cases, death.
However, the risks of a severe reaction caused by a pet vaccination are very low compared to the dangers of not getting your pet vaccinated. Vaccinations help prevent the spread of infectious diseases because they stimulate your pet’s immune system to produce more antibodies to fight against disease-causing organisms. These preventative treatments have extended the lives of millions of animals worldwide.
Our staff remains up-to-date on the best vaccines for your dog or cat based on their habits, lifestyle, and locality. We have patients that visit us from all over the Jersey Shore. Always talk to your vet about past reactions to pet vaccinations for the best treatment. Please be sure to let us know if you plan to travel with your dog or cat, as they may require additional vaccinations before being allowed to go
Making Pet Vaccinations Affordable For Asbury Park Pet Owners
At City By The Sea Veterinary Hospital, you’ll find access to low-cost pet vaccinations in Asbury Park, NJ. We strive to make them as affordable for pet owners as possible so that their cost is never a deterrent for not getting them for your pet.
Vaccines are but one of the comprehensive pet care services we provide for pets of all ages, sizes, and breeds. If you’d like to learn more about rabies vaccine costs or you need to schedule a vaccination appointment for your new puppy or kitten, please contact us today via phone or email. We look forward to meeting you and your furry family members!