Dogs and cats don’t experience a typical flu season like humans do. But, they aren’t immune to being infected by common contagious diseases. And that threat to their health means that pet owners need to know which vaccinations their dogs and cats need to stay healthy.
The most common contagious diseases for dogs and cats can be transmitted in a number of different ways, from saliva to bites to proximity to objects that were used by an infected animal. Some diseases are even spread in areas where animals congregate, so it’s important to understand how to protect your dog or cat.
Lucky for owners, and animals, pet vaccines are the first line of defense for contagious diseases.
Vaccinating Your Pet
For most pet owners, vaccinations are one of the priorities when bringing a new animal home. But, it can be challenging to know what to vaccinate for.
For dog owners, the most commonly required vaccines are referred to as DA2PP, which covers the contagious distemper, adenovirus I and II, parvovirus, and parainfluenza, in addition to a separate rabies vaccine. Distemper, parvo, and rabies are all considered serious canine diseases, some of which could lead to death, so these vaccines are vital to preventing infection.
Cats also have a handful of core vaccines that should be administered. Those include a rabies vaccine in addition to an FVRCP vaccine, which protects them against three serious diseases. In addition, kittens need a FeLV vaccine, which protects them against feline leukemia.
The Cost of Pet Vaccinations
The cost of dog and cat vaccinations can vary depending on where owners decide to go to get them done. Low-cost clinics offer vaccination events periodically, and the demand for those clinics could be very high, which could mean waiting in line or trying to make an appointment weeks or months in advance.
On the flip side, a visit to a traditional veterinary office could cost significantly more, even if the appointment is easy to make. Regardless of the cost, though, the benefit of preventative care far outweighs the consequences of not vaccinating your dog or cat. The financial burden of caring for a seriously ill animal is exponential when compared to the cost of vaccinating them while they are healthy.
It’s one of the reasons that we offer low-cost vaccinations at Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit. We can add affordable dog and cat vaccinations to a surgical procedure, just let us know at the time of booking.
We’re committed to supporting the health of your dog or cat, which is why we offer vaccinations. We want to make sure that vaccinating your pet is a priority and that financial constraints don’t stand in the way.
If you’d like to learn more about our vaccination services for your dog or cat, reach out to our team!
Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit is a trusted veterinary team serving the Phoenix, Peoria, East Mesa, Queen Creek, and Tucson metro areas, with accessible locations in each market, offering highly specialized surgery, quality spay and neuter procedures, and accessible dental care for pets. Contact us to learn more about our specialized services or to schedule an appointment.
