Vaccinations
AN INVESTMENT IN YOUR PETS GOOD HEALTH AND YOUR PEACE OF MIND
Recently, it seems that every pet supply store offers veterinary care. Look closely however, and you will notice the difference between those vaccination clinics and a full-service veterinary facility. At Bloomingdale Animal Hospital we are equipped and prepared to manage any condition and our diagnostic skills help in early detection and treatment of potentially life threatening diseases. We’ll be happy to tell you more.
Quick Links: Kittens | Cats | Puppies | Services + Equipment | Q+A
KITTENS
VACCINATIONS/ EXAM SERIES:
Starting age*
Second booster
Final booster
8 Weeks Old
12 Weeks Old
16 Weeks Old
FVRCP, Fecal exam, Deworming
FVRCP, Fecal exam, 2nd Deworming Feline Leukemia/ FIV testing (recommended) Feline Leukemia vaccine
FVRCP, fecal exam, Rabies (1 yr.), County tag
Feline Leukemia booster
*We recommend the above schedule even though vaccines may have been done prior to 8 weeks of age.
NEUTERING/ STERILIZATION INFORMATION:
Spay/ Ovariohysterectomy
Neuter/ Castration
Female Sterilization
Male Sterilization
6 Months Old
9 Months Old
IDENTIFICATION SERVICES OFFERED + RECOMMENDED:
Microchipping (Home Again)
Rabies License
Done in office or during an elective procedure
Hillsborough County requires tag (4 months of age/Annually)
CATS
RABIES
(Vaccination for Rabies is required by law in Hillsborough County)
Rabies is a viral disease that affects all warm-blooded mammals, including cats, dogs, wildlife and humans. Rabies is a fatal infection of the central nervous system. The virus is usually transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. It attacks nerve tissues and can cause death. Symptoms include changes in behavior such as excitability and aggression or withdrawl followed later by paralysis and death.
VACCINE IS AVAILABLE.
Earliest age to vaccinate for Rabies is 4 months. The first inoculation is valid for 1 year, then booster is valid every 3 years.
FVRCP VACCINATION
1. (Feline Distemper) feline panleukopenia
Highly contagious virus, often fatal that is spread through the air, contact with infected animals, their feces or environmental contamination. Symptoms included fever, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, abdominal pain, tremors and in-coordination.
2. Upper Respiratory Disease (Rhinotracheitis, Pneumonitis, Calicivirus)
Highly contagious viral infections that produce symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, eye discharge, conjunctivitis, ulcers of the mouth, anorexia, depression and inflammation of the upper respiratory tract.
VACCINE IS AVAILABLE.
Kitten series begins at 8 weeks, with boosters repeated at 12 weeks, 16 weeks and then repeated annually.
FELINE LEUKEMIA (FELV)
Feline leukemia is the leading cause of death from infectious agents in cats. An immunosuppressive virus which inhibits the immune system of cats and allows for infection of other diseases and some forms of cancer. The virus is easily transmitted by direct contact with infected cats including licking, biting, and sneezing or contact with contaminated food or litter boxes. Symptoms include depression, fever, loss of appetite, anemia and swollen glands.
A blood test is recommended to verify the cat is not infected by the virus prior to vaccinating for Feline Leukemia.
VACCINE IS AVAILABLE.
Kitten receive 2 inoculations 1 month apart starting at 12 weeks and then repeated annually.
PUPPIES
VACCINATIONS/ EXAM SERIES:
Starting age*
Second booster
Final booster
8 weeks old
12 weeks old
16 weeks old
DA2PPL, Fecal exam, Deworming
(Start Heartworm prevention)
DA2PPL, Corona, Fecal exam, 2nd deworming
DA2PPL, Corona, Bordetella, Rabies (1 yr.), County tag, Fecal
*We recommend the above schedule even though vaccines may have been done prior to 8 weeks of age.
NEUTERING/ STERILIZATION INFORMATION:
Spay/ Ovariohysterectomy
Neuter/ Castration
Female sterilization
Male sterilization
6 months old
9 months old
IDENTIFICATION SERVICES OFFERED + RECOMMENDED:
Microchipping (Home Again)
Rabies license
Done in office or during an elective procedure
Hillsborough County requires tag (4 months of age/Annually)
SERVICES + EQUIPMENT
State-of-the-art blood equipment to be able to run blood screens within minutes.
Anesthesia monitors with EKG
Video otoscopes which allows evaluation of the ear canal as well as deep ear flushing capabilities
Advanced surgical procedures such as exploratory, cranial cruciate repair, fracture repair, anal gland removal, urethrostomy, eye enucleation and many more
Full service dentistry at affordable prices
Digital radiology
We carry speciality prescription diets which address specific medical conditions
We have a full line of brand name, high-quality foods for all life stages for your pet
Q+A
THERE’S MORE TO VACCINE THAN MEETS THE EYE
Why do I need yearly vaccines?
Vaccines are the most important health preventative there is for animals as well as humans. Every year there are many deaths which could have been prevented if the pet had been vaccinated. Treating some viruses could cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars, and in some cases, even with treatment, death may be the outcome. Vaccinations are also required for boarding kennels, air travel, training facilities, pet friendly hotels as well as many groomers. In the case of emergency (fire, hurricane, etc.) having vaccines will make it easier to transport or kennel your pet.
In the case of rabies, vaccinations are required by law because of human contagion. If Rabies are not up to date, fines of approximately five hundred dollars may be imposed. If your pet bites or attacks a person and vaccines are not up to date, your pet may be euthanized or quarantined at the owner’s expense for a few weeks.
When getting vaccines your pet will also get a comprehensive physical exam to detect other diseases or medical conditions, which, if left untreated could shorten your pet’s life, as well as making them uncomfortable.
My pet is indoor only. Why does it need vaccines?
Viruses are microscopic entities which can live in the environment for many years. Some viruses can be air borne (screen lanai not going to stop it), and some can be brought home in the shoes or clothing of the owner. Most importantly, most pets still go outside for the bathroom or quick walks and can catch infectious particles in that manner.
My pet is older, why does it need vaccines?
Vaccines boost the immune system so when a virus is encountered it can get rid of it without causing disease. This becomes very important in elderly pets whose immune system is slower and weaker.
Why does my pet need vaccines if we do not see those diseases?
Those diseases are there, the main reason we do not see those diseases often is because of vaccinations. They prevent outbreaks making it seem like those diseases do not exist. If we ever stopped vaccinations those diseases will become more prevalent.
What is the difference between Joe Blow’s Vaccine clinic and a Licensed veterinarian?
Even I love a bargain, but sometimes you get what you pay for. Vaccine clinics have to cut corners to keep things cheap. Most often they are a no-license (illegal) operation. No medical examinations are performed. Vaccines are often kept in warm locations or expired vaccines are used. They will sometimes administer the wrong vaccines. In case of a reaction or general questions, Joe Blow is no where to be found to help you. In the last couple of years, I have treated multiple pets due to
improper vaccinations, either from a reaction or because the pet caught the disease the vaccine was supposed to prevent. A licensed veterinarian only has your pet’s health as their number one priority and will always be there for them.
Why is it important to spay or neuter my pet?
Spaying female pets will prevent the female from going into a heat cycle, unwanted pregnancy, property damage from males, decreasing the occurrence of mammary cancer, preventing pyometras– a deadly uterine infection.
Neutering will prevent prostate disease, testicular cancer, male aggression, decrease urinary marking and prevent males from escaping after females in heat.
Hillsborough county will give you a price break on annual Rabies tags if the pets are spay or neutered.
Why do I need to clean my pets teeth?
Keeping teeth clean will prevent bad odors, tooth abscess, tooth loss, gingivitis and other dental conditions. A severe infection of the mouth could result in cardiac disease, sinus infections, pneumonia, even septicemia– a blood infection, which could lead to severe organ failure or death. If teeth become painful, the pet will have difficulty eating, can become more aggressive or dehydrated because they don’t want to drink. The general health and lifespan of your pet can be severely hampered by dental disease.
Why is obesity in pets bad if they look so cute chubby?
As cuddly as they look, obesity will lead to serious health issues like respiratory disease, cardiac disease, diabetes, and complications from arthritis, just to name a few. Adiposites are fat cells that increase the inflammatory response from the immune system, causing more oxidative damage to the body. The increase abdominal size puts pressure against the diaphragm, making it harder for the pet to breathe and for the heart to pump.
Making your pet lose weight can be a daunting task. We have doctor-supervised weight reduction plans to aid your pet back into a bathing suit! Oops, well, you know what we mean.