Vaccinations
At Wise Road Animal Hospital we recommend and offer up to 5 vaccines for your pet based on their breed, age, immune status and lifestyle. Please use the links to discover more about our basic philosophies on dog and cat vaccinations.
Dog Vaccines
We strongly recommend having your dog vaccinated against Rabies, Distemper and Leptospirosis at a minimum. Most of the diseases which can be prevented by application of these vaccines are lethal, preventable, incurable and may even be transmitted from your pet to you or members of your family. Rabies vaccination is required by Illinois State and County laws.
For more information on a specific vaccine please check out the following links:
Rabies vaccine for dogs
Canine Distemper vaccines
Leptospirosis vaccine
For more information on a specific vaccine please check out the following links:
Rabies vaccine for dogs
Canine Distemper vaccines
Leptospirosis vaccine
For some pets your veterinarian may also recommend Lyme and/or Bordatella vaccines. Lyme disease is spread by the dog tick and the deer tick and is quite common in our area. While you cannot get Lyme disease directly from your pet, we are also exposed to the same ticks and should take preventative measures to ensure our own safety. Bordatella bacteria causes a disease similar to the Whooping Cough of people. This bacterial disease is so contagious between dogs that it has been nick-named Kennel Cough. This vaccine is required by most quality kennels, boarding facilities, puppy parks, training classes and other places where dogs will congregate. If your dog will be visiting one of these places or another area where unvaccinated dogs may spread the disease, your veterinarian may recommend your pet be vaccinated against Bordatella.
For more information please check out the following links:
Lyme disease vaccine and prevention
Bordatella vaccine
For more information please check out the following links:
Lyme disease vaccine and prevention
Bordatella vaccine
Cat Vaccines
For your cats' health and safety our veterinarians recommend Rabies and Distemper vaccines for most cats. Rabies vaccinations are required for cats that reside in most counties of Illinois including Cook and DuPage Counties. Even if you don't live in a county which requires a rabies vaccination, if your cat was involved in a scuffle with another animal, bites or even scratches a person, Illinois County Officials may quarantine your cat at your expense for 1, 10 or even up to 120 days. Feline Distemper vaccine helps protect your cat against several contagious, potentially deadly viruses that your cat can contract even if they don't leave the your own house. These vaccines will last from 1 to 3 years.
For more information regarding these vaccines please check out the following links:
Rabies vaccine for cats
Feline Distemper vaccine
For more information regarding these vaccines please check out the following links:
Rabies vaccine for cats
Feline Distemper vaccine
If your cat goes outdoors (even just on the porch), lives in a home where cats are boarded, groomed or rescued, or may come in contact with another cat of questionable history, your Veterinarian may recommend the Feline Leukemia vaccine. Feline Leukemia virus is similar in nature to the HiV virus which causes AiDs in people. Feline Leukemia can not be transmitted from your cat to you however, it is an incurable and deadly disease.
For more information on the the Feline Leukemia vaccine please visit the following link:
Feline Leukemia vaccine
For more information on the the Feline Leukemia vaccine please visit the following link:
Feline Leukemia vaccine
Are there any concerns associated with vaccinating dogs & cats?
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It is not uncommon for your pet to experience some or all of the following mild side effects - usually starting within hours of vaccination and typically lasting no longer than a few days. If any of these side effects occur or last for more than a few days, please contact our office:
A small, firm swelling under the skin may develop at the site of a recent vaccination and should disappear within a couple of weeks. If it persists or grows in size, contact your veterinarian. More serious but rare side effects, such as severe allergic reactions, may occur within minutes to hours after vaccination. Signs include vomiting, diarrhea, itchy skin, difficulty breathing and collapse. These allergic reactions can be life-threatening and are medical emergencies. Contact our office immediately, as your pet may require medical treatment. |
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For Cats: An injection site sarcoma is a term given to a specific type of very aggressive tumor which may grow spontaneously or be induced to grow at the site of any injection in a cat whether it be a vaccine, sterile water, or a simple needle aspirate. These tumors are malignant, deadly and often recur more aggressively once excised. While these tumors can occur spontaneously, have also been theorized to be induced more commonly at sites of injections in cats, as they have been seen most commonly in the scruff, lower back and limbs. While these tumors are extremely rare (occurring in one in 1,000, to one in 10,000 injections) we at Wise Road Animal Hospital prefer to give injections to cats only when necessary for proper preventative and medicinal reasons.
