Vaccinations

Annual vaccinations are important to promote longevity by reducing the risk of infection from common diseases, and are recommended on a regular schedule that the doctor will develop with you. Each patient deserves their own vaccine protocol that suits their needs and day to day potential exposures. Missing a year can open up a window of susceptibility to these diseases, so we will send you annual vaccination reminders. It’s as easy as picking up the phone or going online and making an appointment. This appointment will also include an annual health care evaluation.

All reputable boarding establishments require your pet to have up-to-date vaccinations before accepting them, so consider this before boarding your pet as well.

What we routinely vaccinate dogs against:

• Rabies – a disease that attacks the nervous system, contracted from a bite from an infected animal. Rabies infection will likely be fatal in unvaccinated dogs and is required for all dogs and cats in Ontario.
• Parvovirus – a highly contagious viral gastroenteritis. Depression, loss of appetite, severe vomiting and diarrhoea containing blood are some of the symptoms. Death can occur very quickly.
• Distemper – a highly contagious disease producing symptoms such as conjunctivitis, nasal discharge, convulsive seizures and spinal cord damage. Treatment is often ineffective.
• Hepatitis – in puppies can cause sudden death, whilst adult dogs can experience weakness, fever, diarrhea, loss of appetite and bleeding
• Upper Respiratory Infections (Kennel Cough) – a complex disease caused by a bacterium and a virus. Affected dogs will have a hacking cough persisting for a couple of weeks and it can progress to pneumonia. It is also extremely contagious, which is why most boarders and groomers will require pets to be vaccinated for this disease.
• Leptospirosis – a severe bacterial infection transmitted by animals such as raccoons, rodents, skunks, and foxes through standing pools of water (such as puddles, ponds, ravines, etc). This disease can permanently damage the liver and kidneys and has the potential to be fatal.

What we routinely vaccinate cats against:

• Rabies – a disease that attacks the nervous system, contracted from a bite from an infected animal. Rabies infection will likely be fatal in unvaccinated cats and is required for all dogs and cats in Ontario.
• FVRCP – three potentially deadly airborne viruses: rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia. Rhinotracheitis is triggered by the common feline herpes virus. Symptoms include sneezing, a runny nose and drooling. If left untreated this disease causes dehydration, starvation, and eventually, death. Calicivirus has similar symptoms, affecting the respiratory system and also causing ulcers in the mouth. It can result in pneumonia if left untreated—kittens and senior cats are especially vulnerable. Panleukopenia is also known as distemper and is easily spread from one cat to another. Distemper is so common that nearly all cats will be exposed to it in their lifetime. It’s especially common in kittens who have not yet been vaccinated against it, and symptoms include fever, vomiting and bloody diarrhea. This disease progresses rapidly and requires immediate medical attention.
• FeLV – Feline Leukemia Virus is transmitted through direct contact with infected cats through saliva, scratches and bite wounds. Vaccinating against FeLV is recommended for all cats that go outdoors or that may go outdoors in the future.