Pet Vaccinations & Parasite Prevention
Effective Protection
To give your pet their very best chance at a long, healthy life, it's important to keep common diseases and disorders from developing in the first place, where possible. That's why we focus on preventive care at Silver Springs Animal Clinic.
Regularly scheduled wellness exams, pet vaccinations and parasite prevention form the cornerstone of your pet's essential annual healthcare routine.
Preventive care is key to supporting your pet's longevity. Our team is committed to working with you to develop a custom preventive care plan for your cat or dog, tailored to their unique needs.
Pet Vaccinations & Reproductive Surgery Schedule
When it comes to protecting your four-legged family member against a range of contagious, often serious diseases, current dog and vaccinations are key. Having your pet spayed or neutered not only prevents the birth of unwanted litters; these common veterinary surgeries can also help protect your pet against some serious types of cancer. They may also prevent unwanted behaviors such as roaming, animal aggression and howling.
Cat Vaccinations
In their first year of life, kittens need the following shots to protect them from serious diseases.
- 6 to 8 weeks
- Rhinotracheitis, Calcivirus, Panleukopenia, Chlamydia
- Feline Leukemia
- 10 to 12 weeks
- Booster: Rhinotracheitis, Calcivirus, Panleukopenia, Chlamydia
- Feline Leukemia
- 14 to 16 Weeks
- Booster: Rhinotracheitis, Calcivirus, Panleukopenia, Chlamydia
- Rabies
- 5 to 6 months
While the following are not kitten shots, spaying, neutering and microchipping help protect your cat from a number of health issues, and therefore fall under the preventive health care umbrella.
- Spay (females) - Spaying your female cat prevents the birth of unwanted litters of kittens, protects your cat against serious illnesses, and can help to prevent behaviors such as howling and scooting that accompany heat cycles.
- Neuter (males) - Neutering your male cat prevents your pet from fathering unwanted kittens, protects your cat against various illnesses, and can help to prevent territory marking (spraying), roaming, howling, and cat aggression.
- Microchipping - A microchip is a permanent form of identification that is about the size of a grain of rice and placed under your pet’s skin. Pets that are microchipped have a better chance of being reunited with their owners if they are lost.
Dog Vaccinations
In their first year, puppies need these shots to protect them from dangerous diseases.
- 6 to 8 weeks
- DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
- Canine Influenza
- 10 to 12 Weeks
- Booster: DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
- Bordetella
- Canine Influenza
- Leptospirosis (Optional)
- Lyme Disease Vaccine (Optional)
- 14 to 16 Weeks
- Booster: DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
- Rabies
- Canine Influenza
- Booster: Bordetella (Optional)
- Booster: Leptospirosis (Optional)
- Lyme Disease Vaccine (Optional)
Although the following are not puppy shots, spaying, neutering, and microchipping help protect your dog from a number of health issues, and therefore fall under the preventive health care umbrella.
- Spay (female) - Dog spaying will prevent your female dog from mothering puppies, but it can also help to prevent certain cancers and regular heat cycles which can attract roaming males to your property.
- Neuter (male) - Dog neutering can help to prevent your male dog from fathering unwanted puppies, as well as protecting your dog from a number of serious cancers, and helping to reduce the risk of roaming and dog aggression.
- Microchipping - A microchip is a permanent form of identification that is about the size of a grain of rice and placed under your pet’s skin. Pets that are microchipped have a better chance of being reunited with their owners if they are lost.
- 12 to 16 Months
- Final Booster: DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
- Rabies
- Final Booster: Bordetella (Optional)
- Final Booster: Leptospirosis (Optional)
Parasite Prevention
Parasites pose a serious health threat to people and animals in Central Pennsylvania. Left untreated, parasites may threaten your cat or dog's life. In some cases, they can even be transmitted to other people or pets living in your household. Our parasite prevention products can help protect your dog or cat from these common parasites:
Fleas
These external parasites feed on mammals' and birds' blood. If left untreated for long, flea infections can quickly spread through your household.
Ticks
Ticks consume mammals' blood and are responsible for spreading numerous serious conditions in pets and people that can make them very sick.
Ear Mites
Tiny, highly contagious ear mites live in the ear canals of cats, dogs and other mammals. These parasites continuously reproduce throughout their lifespan.
Heartworm
Spread through mosquito bites, this thread-like parasitic roundworm makes its home in the lungs, heart and blood vessels of infected animals.
Hookworm
Hookworms live in cats' and dogs' digestive tracts and feed on your pet's blood. If left alone for long, this parasite may lead to anemia and other serious conditions.
Roundworm
Surviving on partially digested intestinal contents, this parasitic roundworm resides in the intestine and may rob your pet of essential nutrients.
Tapeworm
Spread through the ingestion of infected fleas during grooming, tapeworms are hook-like parasitic worms that live and thrive in your pet's intestines.
Whipworm
Whipworms spread through the ingestion of soil that comes into contact with an infected dog's feces. These parasites pose a serious health risk to dogs.