Wilson Veterinary Hospital

Preventative Medicine

Wellness Exams every 6 to 12 months are the backbone of good health care for your pet. When your pet is examined, the doctor will perform a thorough head to tail assessment. Ears, eyes, heart, skin, teeth, lymph nodes, and many other areas are examined. Be sure to let us know if your pet has any issues, lumps or bumps, or other concerns that you would like to discuss.

One important part of your pet's examination is assessing which vaccinations your pet needs. Some vaccines are "core" vaccines that we recommend for all pets. Other vaccines are recommended based on lifestyle. During your appointment, you will be asked questions about your lifestyle with your pet so we can make the appropriate recommendation.

Canine Vaccines

Core Vaccines
- DAPP: This vaccine protects your dog from 4 serious contagious diseases: Distemper, Parvovirus, Adenovirus, and Parainfluenza. In adult dogs, we recommend the 3-year vaccine so that we can reduce the number of vaccines your dog receives while still keeping it protected. Puppies will need to receive a series of these vaccines to be fully protected.
- Rabies: Rabies is a serious viral infection transmitted by bites from infected animals. This infection is almost always fatal and is contagious to humans through bites. In most counties and states, this vaccination is required by law. Wilson Veterinary Hospital requires up-to-date rabies vaccination on all patients in our hospital unless the veterinarian has reason to believe that the vaccination will harm the pet due to a chronic health condition.
Vaccines Recommended based on lifestyle
- Leptospirosis: This bacterial infection is transmitted by wildlife such as deer and rodents. Dogs with exposure to wooded areas, fields, and dogs that hike and camp are usually vaccinated for this. This infection is also highly contagious to humans.
- Bordetella: Also known as Kennel Cough, this disease causes coughing and cold-like symptoms. Dogs who are boarded, go to dog parks, get groomed, or attend doggy daycare are at the highest risk and should be vaccinated.
- Canine Influenza: Signs of this illness in dogs are cough, runny nose, fever, lethargy, eye discharge, and reduced appetite, but not all dogs will show signs of illness. The severity of illness associated with canine flu in dogs can range from no signs to severe illness resulting in pneumonia and sometimes death. Dogs who are boarded, go to dog parks, get groomed, or attend doggy daycare are at the highest risk and should be vaccinated.

Feline Vaccines

Core Vaccines
- FVRCP: This vaccine protects against 3 serious viral infections; Panleukopenia, Rhinotracheitis, and Calicivirus. All cats, even indoor felines who never go outdoors or interact with other cats, should still receive FVRCP vaccines. These diseases are airborne, so every cat needs to be vaccinated against them. Our protocol, using the guidelines of the American Association of Feline Practitioners, involves vaccinating adult cats every 3 years. Kittens will need to receive a series of this vaccine to be fully protected.
- Rabies: Rabies is a serious viral infection transmitted by bites from infected animals. This infection is almost always fatal and is contagious to humans through bites. In most counties and states, this vaccination is required by law. Wilson Veterinary Hospital requires up-to-date rabies vaccination on all patients in our hospital unless the veterinarian has reason to believe that the vaccination will harm the pet due to a chronic health condition.
Vaccines Recommended based on lifestyle
- Feline Leukemia: This infection is spread by direct contact with infected cats. Per the guidelines of the American Association of Feline Practitioners, we recommend all kittens be vaccinated for this and adults if they are in close contact with any cats outside of the home (outdoor cats).