Protection & Prevention
At Tri-County Animal Clinic, we focus on keeping your cat and dog safe from common disorders and diseases with preventative care.
When you combine routine exams with parasite prevention and pet vaccinations you are forming the base of your pet's regular healthcare.
Preventive care provides your cat or dog with their best chance at a long, healthy life. Our veterinarians will work with you closely in order to develop a customized preventive care plan for your pet, that is tailored to their individual needs.
Pet Vaccinations & Reproductive Surgery Schedule
It's important to keep up with your dog or cat's vaccinations to protect them from a range of contagious, often serious, illnesses and diseases. Having your pet spayed or neutered doesn't just prevent the birth of unwanted puppies or kittens; these common veterinary procedures can also help keep your pet safe from a handful of serious cancers. They can also prevent unwanted behaviors including animal aggression, scooting, roaming, and howling.
Cat Vaccinations
There are various kitten shots your cat needs in their first year of life, to protect them from serious diseases, we have listed them below.
- 6 to 8 weeks
- Rhinotracheitis, Calcivirus, Panleukopenia, Chlamydia
- 10 to 12 weeks
- Booster: Rhinotracheitis, Calcivirus, Panleukopenia, Chlamydia
- Feline Leukemia
- 14 to 16 Weeks
- Booster: Rhinotracheitis, Calcivirus, Panleukopenia, Chlamydia
- Feline Leukemia 2
- 5 to 6 months
The following isn't a list of kitten vaccinations however, spaying, neutering, and microchipping can help keep your cat safe from a variety of health issues, falling under the category of preventive health care.
- Spay (females) - Having your female cat spayed prevents the birth of unwanted kittens, protects your cat from serious illnesses, and helps prevent undesirable behaviors including howling and scooting which accompanies heat cycles.
- Neuter (males) - Neutering your male cat keeps them from fathering unwanted kittens, protects your cat against a handful of illnesses, and can help prevent cat aggression, howling, roaming, and territory marking (spraying).
- Microchipping - A microchip is a permanent form of identification that's approximately the size of a grain of rice. Your vet can place it under your cat’s skin so you have a higher chance of finding your kitty if they get lost.
Dog Vaccinations
In their first year, your dog requires a series of puppy shots to help keep them safe from a range of dangerous diseases.
- 6 to 8 weeks
- DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
- 10 to 12 Weeks
- Booster: DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
- Bordetella (Optional)
- Leptospirosis (Optional)
- 14 to 16 Weeks
- Booster: DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
- Rabies
- Booster: Bordetella (Optional)
- Booster: Leptospirosis (Optional)
Even though the list below doesn't contain puppy vaccinations, spaying, neutering, and microchipping can help protect your pup from a variety of serious health issues, falling in the category of preventive health care.
- Spay (female) - Spaying your female dog will prevent them from mothering puppies, as well as prevent certain forms of cancers and regular heat cycles (which could bring roaming males to your property).
- Neuter (male) - Neutering male dogs can help prevent your dog from fathering unwanted puppies, as well as protects them from a variety of serious cancers, and helps lower the risk of dog aggression and roaming.
- Microchipping - A microchip is a method of permanent identification that is placed under your dog's skin. It's around the size of a rice grain and increases your chances of locating your pup if they become lost.
- 12 to 16 Months
- Final Booster: DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
- Rabies
- Final Booster: Bordetella (Optional)
- Final Booster: Leptospirosis (Optional)
Parasite Prevention
In the Louisa area parasites are a serious threat to the health of both pets and their owners. If parasites aren't treated they could threaten the life of your dog or cat and even those in your household because some can be transmitted to people. At Tri-County Animal Clinic we offer parasite prevention products that can protect your animal companion from the common parasites below:
Fleas
Fleas are external parasites that feed on the blood of birds and mammals. If they go untreated, fleas can spread quickly in your home.
Ticks
These external parasites consume the blood of mammals and are responsible for spreading a range of serious conditions in pets and people.
Ear Mites
Ear mites are tiny and highly contagious. They reside in the ear canals of dogs, cats, and other mammals. These parasites continuously reproduce throughout their lifespan.
Heartworm
A thread-like parasitic roundworm that is spread through mosquito bites and lives in the heart, lungs and blood vessels of infected animals.
Hookworm
These parasites reside in the digestive tract of cats and dogs where they feed on their blood. Hookworms can lead to anemia and other serious conditions.
Roundworm
This parasitic worm lives in the intestine and feeds on partially digested intestinal contents. This parasite can steal vital nutrients your pet needs to stay healthy.
Tapeworm
Tapeworms are spread through the ingestion of infected fleas when grooming. These hook-like parasitic worms live and grow inside the intestines of your pet.
Whipworm
Whipworms are spread when a dog makes contact with soil that has been in contact with an infected dog's feces. Whipworms are a serious health risk to dogs.