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How often or do I need to vaccinate my pet? Hi my name is Dr. Sean McPeck, the CEO and owner of Tier 1 Veterinary Medical Center. A few different ways to look at this one. Are you traveling outside the state? Are you going to other areas or are you just staying in Alaska? There are some core vaccines that you definitely need to get in the beginning when you have a puppy or a kitten.

There’s a three shot series that helps you establish that immune system and resistance to a core set of diseases that these animals can get and some can be very life threatening. Parvo, for example, the parvovirus up here is a dog killer. It is such an easy disease to prevent by vaccinating your dog. And they’re good. But yes, many of that many of these vaccines, rabies, for example, is one that is legally required.

It is endemic to Alaska. Our population of wildlife, especially up towards the Arctic, is absolutely just full of rabies. So it would behoove you to get the rabies vaccine. But it’s also something that if for whatever reason, let’s say your dog got out, had no identification on it, didn’t have a microchip, animal control got a hold of it.

They have the authority to euthanize an animal if they don’t know if it is vaccinated for rabies. So it helps to preserve your animal’s life 100%. Now, there are certain vaccines that once you get to an established annual dosing that you’ve been on top of it, you’ve come in 365 days later after that initial series, then your veterinarian has the authority to give you a three year authorization on the vaccine.

But, there are other ones people ask about like lepto, they ask about Lyme. So we don’t have that up here. It’s not something that’s endemic to the wildlife population, nor do we have the ticks that carry the disease. But if you’re traveling outside of the state, let’s say you’re a hunter that likes to go down and hunt in certain areas of the lower 48 and you bring your dog and bring them back, then yes, I would definitely be recommending other vaccines for you to get.

It depends on the situation. But yes, I highly recommend vaccinating your cats and your dog and being on top of that. It’s such a small investment to save their life. I mean, you know, each vaccine for parvo is $25 to $35 a pop. Get that first three shot series on board and that compared to a $4000 to $5000 hospital bill to try and save the dog’s life, and they may or may not walk out of the hospital.

It’s common sense, an ounce of prevention worth a pound of cure type thing. So, yes, vaccinate your animals. and feel free to leave a comment and let us know if this was helpful. We’re trying to get a little bit of education out to the public. If there is something that you wish we would have expanded on or hit on.  Definitely leave that in the comments. If you liked it, hit the like button and subscribing so you can get any of the future videos that we release. Thanks.

A 2010 Graduate of Colorado State College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Dr. Sean McPeck developed his leadership as a Sniper Team Leader and Veterinarian with the US Army Special Operations, 75th Ranger Regiment.

Dr. McPeck has multiple combat deployments, totaling almost 2 years in combat theaters of operation.

He is the recipient of the Combat Action Badge, and is Ranger, Sniper, and Airborne qualified. While serving as an officer in Special Operations, Dr. McPeck was repeatedly recognized for his Honor, Integrity, Courage and Selfless Service in the name of the United States. He was recognized with not one, but two, Meritorious Service Medals.

Under his leadership, Dr. McPeck worked with Working Dog handlers, and canine units, to detain and seize enemy combatants. The canines that Dr. McPeck worked with are credited with savings thousands of United States soldiers deployed in combat areas.

Dr. McPeck authored The RCAP, Ranger Canine Athletic Program, which was the 1st comprehensive Military canine conditioning program.

His specific training and certification classes for Dog handlers to be proficient in Canine Tactical- Combat Casualty Care, and knowledge of current medical equipment and procedures, which led to the successful life saving interventions by handlers in real world operations.

Dr. SaraRose McPeck graduated from Mississippi State College of Veterinary Medicine in 2010. A Massachusetts native who attended Becker College for her undergrad, Dr. McPeck has lived and worked around the country and even the world. She served four years in the United States Army as a Veterinary Officer, during which she was stationed in Fort Benning, Georgia, and completed a 12-month tour in Afghanistan.

Her time serving in the Army provided her the experience as the primary veterinarian for over 350 Military Working Dogs, in which she provided all emergency, trauma, surgical, critical, and primary care. In addition to caring for animals, she trained, mentored, and led six Non-Commissioned Officers and twelve junior enlisted Soldiers, giving her not only impressive veterinary experience but also exceptional interpersonal and leadership skills.

As a Veterinary Corp Officer, she received a variety of awards, including a Bronze Star, a NATO Medal, a GWOT Medal, two Army Accommodation Medals, among many others. She gained experiences in which she exemplified impressive leadership skills and the ability to adapt to both clinical and combat support situations. Her years of experience serving our country and in veterinary medicine have equipped her with the knowledge and skills to provide exceptional care to our patients.