Rabies is a fatal viral disease carried by wildlife and other mammals in our area. It is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be passed from animals to humans.

The disease is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite.

Vaccination is required by Florida state law for all dogs and cats.

Symptoms

•   Fever
•   Seizures
•   Change in behavior (over excitability, shyness, aggression)
•   Excessive salivation
•   Paralysis
•   Inability to swallow

The rabies vaccination is given annually to cats and initially as a 1-year vaccine, and then every 3 years to dogs

Distemper is a a highly-contagious viral disease with no known cure and variations can be found in dogs, cats, and ferrets, as well as certain wildlife animals.

The disease is spread through both direct and indirect contact.

Symptoms

•  Weight loss
•  Lethargy
•  Fever
•  Vomiting
•  Diarrhea
•  Nasal discharge

The vaccines available are a combination of species-specific common viruses.

For dogs, the vaccine offers protection from intestinal viruses including Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus.

For cats, the vaccine offers protection from upper respiratory viruses including Rhinotrachitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia.

These vaccines are often abbreviated to DHPP and FVRCP.

Distemper vaccines are given as a series to puppies and kittens, annually to young adult pets, and every 3 years in older adults and seniors.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that is shed in the urine of infected wildlife. Typically, it is transmitted through contaminated water sources like puddles, retention ponds, and slow moving creeks. Your veterinarian will discuss you and your pet’s lifestyle with you to determine if your pet is at risk for contracting Leptospirosis, and if vaccinating against it is appropriate.

The disease is commonly referred to as “Lepto,” and can cause kidney and liver failure. Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be passed from animals to humans.

Symptoms

•   Fever
•   Lethargy
•   Decreased appetite
•   Increased thirst
•   Vomiting
•   Unusual amounts of urine (larger or smaller)
•   Muscle and joint pain
•   Bleeding and brusing

The Lepto vaccine is given as a series of two, and then annually to adult and senior dogs.

Lyme disease a common infectious disease transmitted from ticks to both humans and dogs. It is very prevalent in the Northern Virginia area, and depending on you and your pet’s lifestyle, it may be recommended for your pet.

The ticks typically pick up the bacterial disease from wildlife, and then when they feed on your pet, they transfer the disease. In order for the disease to be transferred to your pet, the tick needs to be attached for at least 48 hours. However, the ticks that carry the disease are often very small and difficult to find, which makes it that much more important to have your pet on both a tick preventative and vaccinated.

Unlike with humans, dogs do not typically develop the “bulls-eye” rash. The lack of a physical indicator of being bit by a tick, coupled with the fact that many dogs do not show symptoms of Lyme disease right away (or at all). However, this do not mean that the disease does not exist.

If a pet is positive for Lyme disease, antibiotics can be given to try to eliminate as much of the bacteria in the body. It is difficult to completely eliminate the bacteria in the body, so even with a course of antibiotics helping symptoms, a low-level infection may always be present.

Symptoms

•   Some dogs can show no symptoms at all (asymptomatic)
•   Pain
•   Limping
•   Lameness
•   Inappetence
•   Fever
•   In severe cases, kidney and heart disease can develop

Lyme vaccines are given to puppies as a series of two, and then annually to adult and senior dogs.

Bordetella, also known as “Kennel Cough”, is a highly contagious upper respiratory disease in dogs.

Easily transmitted through direct contact or the air; vaccination is recommended for all dogs that interact with other dogs in their neighborhood, boarding and daycare facilities, dog parks, and groomers.

Unvaccinated puppies or young dogs, and dogs that have a compromised immune system may experience severe symptoms.

Symptoms

•   A dry, hacking cough
•   "Honking" cough
•   Nasal discharge
•   Decrease in appetite
•   Lethargy
•   Fever

The Bordetella vaccine may be given as an injectable or “intra-nasal” (in the nose), and are given every 6-12 months. It is recommended that you check with the facility you are taking your pet to, to find out what their requirements are.

The Canine Influenza was a new virus in 2012, that mutated from an existing strain. Since the disease was a new strain, any dog that was exposed to it, was likely to contract it and become infected.

A vaccine was developed to help protect dogs and is available if needed. It was found to not be contagious to humans.

Symptoms

•   Discharge from the nose or eyes
•   Coughing (can be productive or non-productive)
•   Labored breathing or increased rate
•   Lethargy
•   Vomiting
•   Diarrhea
•   Decrease in appetite

We recommend that you check with your pet’s boarding, grooming, or day care facilities to see if they require this Influenza vaccine before your pet visits with them. You can also discuss with your veterinarian if they feel your pet’s lifestyle warrants the need for this vaccine.

The Influenza vaccine is given as a series of two, and then annually to adult and senior dogs.

Feline Leukemia, or FeLV, is a viral infection that is spread from cat to cat through saliva, feces, and during lactation.

Nursing kittens, feral or outdoor cats, and cats living in multi-cat households are at risk of infection. There is currently no known cure for Feline Leukemia.

A blood work screen can be completed in hospital to determine if a patient is infected with Feline Leukemia.

Symptoms

•   Some cats can show no symptoms at all
•   Decrease in appetence
•   Lethargy
•   Fever
•   Loss of weight
•   Respiratory symptoms (coughing, sneezing, discharge from nose or eyes)
•   Vomiting
•   Diarrhea

The leukemia vaccine is given as a two-part series to kittens and annually to adult and senior cats.