We advocate vaccinating all pets to protect against the most serious and contagious diseases. Vaccines contain viruses, bacteria, or other disease-causing organisms, killed or altered so they no longer cause disease. Once administered, vaccines stimulate the immune system to form antibodies that protect against the disease.
Recommended pet vaccines for cats may include:
- FVRCP (feline distemper)—annually or every three years
- Rabies—required by law annually or every three years
- Feline leukemia—recommended for outdoor cats
- Feline AIDS—only in rare, specific situations
Recommended pet vaccines for dogs may include:
- Distemper / Adenovirus / Parainfluenza / Parvovirus—annually or every three years
- Rabies—required by law annually or every three years
- Leptospirosis—every year depending on risk
- Bordetella (kennel cough)—annually depending on exposure in boarding kennels, dog parks, obedience school, veterinary hospitals, or grooming facilities
- Lyme disease—every year depending on risk
While vaccines do not guarantee 100% protection against disease, the high level of protection they provide your pet is invaluable.
The specific series of vaccines we recommend is based on your pet’s age, general health, and lifestyle. At your annual pet wellness visit, we will help you to determine which vaccines will best protect your pet and tailor the vaccination schedule accordingly. For information on younger pets, see our Puppies and Kittens page.
Heartworm Disease in Ontario
Heartworm is an insidious disease that has spread to virtually all parts of the United States and many parts of Canada since the early 1970s. It is spread only by mosquitoes; thus, areas heavily populated by these insects tend to have a greater incidence of heartworm disease. Heartworm can strike both dogs and cats, although it is much more commonly seen in dogs. As its name implies, heartworm lives in the blood of a dog or cat's heart and adjacent blood vessels.
Green Lane Animal Hospital recommends annual screening tests for all dogs and cats. In Ontario, veterinarians usually prescribe preventive medications to be given once monthly from June until November. At your wellness visit, we will help you determine the best course of action for protecting your pet from heartworm disease.