Protection & Prevention
With routine pet vaccinations and parasite prevention, our Douglasville veterinarians can help you protect your cat or dog from a wide variety of serious diseases and disorders.
Combined with regular wellness exams, pet vaccinations & parasite prevention form the foundation of your animal's routine healthcare.
Preventive care provides the best chance for your pet to live a long, healthy life. Our team will collaborate with you to develop a customized preventive care plan for your cat or dog that is specific to their needs.
Vaccination & Reproductive Surgery Schedule
Current dog and cat vaccinations are critical for protecting your pet from a variety of contagious, and frequently fatal, diseases. Spaying or neutering your pet not only prevents unwanted litters; these common veterinary procedures may also help protect your pet from certain serious forms of cancer. They may be effective at preventing undesirable behaviors such as howling, scooting, roaming, and animal aggression.
Cat Vaccinations
Kittens require the following vaccinations during their first year of life to protect them from serious diseases.
- 6 to 8 weeks
- Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia, Chlamydia
- 10 to 12 weeks
- Booster: Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia, Chlamydia
- Feline Leukemia
- 14 to 16 weeks
- Rabies
- Booster: Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia, Chlamydia
- Feline Leukemia 2
- 5 to 6 months
While the following are not vaccinations for kittens, spaying, neutering, and microchipping all help protect your cat from a variety of health problems and thus fall under the category of preventive health care.
- Spay (females) - Spaying your female cat prevents unwanted litters of kittens, protects your cat from serious illnesses and may help prevent heat-related behaviors such as howling and scooting.
- Neuter (males) -Neutering your male cat prevents him from fathering unwanted kittens, protects him from various diseases, and may help prevent territory marking (spraying), roaming, howling, and aggression.
- Microchipping - A microchip is a type of permanent identification that is about the size of a grain of rice and is implanted beneath the skin of your pet. Microchipped pets have a better chance of being reunited with their owners if they become separated.
Dog Vaccinations
Puppies require the following vaccinations during their first year of life to protect them from serious 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)
While the following are not vaccinations for puppies, spaying, neutering, and microchipping all help protect your cat from a variety of health problems and thus fall under the category of preventive health care.
- Spay (female) - While spaying your female dog prevents her from becoming pregnant, it may also help prevent certain cancers and regular heat cycles, which may attract roaming males to your property.
- Neuter (male) - Neutering your male dog prevents him from fathering unwanted puppies, protects him from various diseases, and may help prevent territory marking (spraying), roaming, howling, and aggression.
- Microchipping -A microchip is a type of permanent identification that is about the size of a grain of rice and is implanted beneath the skin of your pet. Microchipped pets have a better chance of being reunited with their owners if they become separated.
- 12 to 16 months
- Final Booster: DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
- Rabies
- Final Booster: Bordetella (Optional)
- Final Booster: Leptospirosis (Optional)
Parasite Prevention
Parasites are a significant health risk to humans and animals in Douglas County. Parasites, if left untreated, can endanger your cat or dog's life and, in some cases, can be transmitted to other people or pets in your household. Our parasite prevention products can aid in the prevention of the following common parasites in dogs and cats:
Fleas
Fleas are external parasitic insects that prey on birds and mammals. Fleas can quickly spread throughout your household if left untreated.
Ticks
External parasites that feed on the blood of mammals and are responsible for the spread of a variety of serious diseases in humans and pets.
Ear Mites
Ear mites are microscopic and highly contagious parasites that live in the ear canals of dogs, cats, and other mammals. Throughout their lifespan, these parasites reproduce continuously.
Heartworm
This thread-like parasitic roundworm is spread via mosquito bites and makes its home in infected animals' hearts, lungs, and blood vessels.
Hookworm
These parasites live in cats' and dogs' digestive tracts, where they feed on the pet's blood. Hookworms can cause anemia and other serious health problems.
Roundworm
This parasitic worm lives in the intestine and feeds on partially digested feces. This parasite can deplete your pet's vital nutrients.
Tapeworm
Tapeworms are spread by ingesting infected fleas while grooming. These hook-shaped parasitic worms live and grow in the intestines of your pet.
Whipworm
Whipworms are spread via the ingestion of soil that has come into contact with the feces of an infected dog. Whipworms are a significant health hazard for dogs.