Vaccination Services
at Tier 1 Veterinary Medical Center
Protecting Your Pets with Essential Vaccinations
At Tier 1 Veterinary Medical Center, we provide comprehensive vaccination services to protect your pets from preventable diseases. Vaccinations are crucial for maintaining your pet’s health, preventing the spread of infectious diseases, and ensuring they lead a long and healthy life.
Frequency of Veterinary Visits for Senior Pets
As pets enter their senior years, they require more frequent veterinary check-ups to manage age-related health issues effectively. It is recommended that senior pets:
- Visit the Veterinarian at Least Twice a Year: Regular check-ups every six months help monitor the ongoing health of your senior pet and catch any emerging health issues early.
- Undergo Comprehensive Senior Wellness Exams: These exams are more in-depth than routine check-ups and typically include blood work, urinalysis, and specific screenings for common age-related diseases such as kidney disease, heart disease, and arthritis.
Vaccination Schedules for Dogs and Cats
Dogs
- Puppy Vaccinations: Start as early as 6-8 weeks of age, with boosters given every 3-4 weeks until puppies are 16 weeks old. Core vaccines include distemper, parvovirus, and rabies. Non-core vaccines, such as bordetella and leptospirosis, might be recommended based on your dog’s exposure risk.
- Adult Dogs: After the initial series, a rabies vaccine is typically required every 1-3 years, depending on the vaccine used. Other vaccines, like distemper and parvovirus, may be needed annually or every three years, according to the vaccine type and local regulations.
Cats
- Kitten Vaccinations: Begin at 8 weeks of age with boosters every 3-4 weeks until they reach 16 weeks. Core vaccines include feline distemper (panleukopenia), feline calicivirus, feline herpesvirus type I (rhinotracheitis), and rabies.
- Adult Cats: Rabies vaccinations are repeated as required by law, generally every 1-3 years. Other core vaccines may be administered according to the veterinarian’s recommendation based on the cat's lifestyle and risk factors.
The Risks of Not Vaccinating Your Pet
Skipping vaccinations can leave your pet vulnerable to dangerous diseases that are otherwise preventable. For example:
- Dogs: Without vaccines, dogs are at risk of contracting parvovirus, a highly contagious and often fatal illness, especially in puppies. Treatment can be extensive and costly, often requiring hospitalization, IV fluids, and medications.
- Cats: Cats unvaccinated against feline distemper can face severe health complications. This disease is often deadly and can spread rapidly in environments with multiple cats.
Costs and Consequences of Treatable Diseases
The cost of treating a preventable disease can be substantial, far exceeding the expense of vaccinations. Hospital stays, emergency care, and long-term medications can financially burden pet owners. Moreover, the emotional cost of seeing a pet suffer from a preventable condition can be distressing.
Why Vaccinate at Tier 1 Veterinary Medical Center?
Choosing Tier 1 Veterinary Medical Center for your pet’s vaccinations ensures they receive the highest standard of care. Our knowledgeable veterinarians will tailor a vaccination plan suited to your pet's age, breed, health status, and lifestyle, providing you with peace of mind knowing that your pet is protected against preventable diseases.
Reach Out for Vaccination Services
Don’t wait to protect your pet. Contact Tier 1 Veterinary Medical Center at 907-745-8437 to schedule your pet’s vaccinations. Our team is here to answer any questions and guide you through the vaccination process.