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A deadly disease, which is still present in the United States, is caused by a virus that if infected almost always causes death in an animal. The rabies vaccine is offered in 1 year and 3 year versions-depending on your dog or cat's stage in life which will be determined by one of our doctors. Not only is rabies vaccination required by law in Illinois, it is a huge step in preventing a deadly disease.  

This vaccine is often just called the "distemper vaccine" but it includes vaccination against canine distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and sometimes leptospirosis. Distemper is caused by a virus that can cause gastrointestinal, pulmonary, and neurologic disease, and can be fatal. Dogs can get the distemper virus from wildlife such as raccoons and skunks that are carrying the virus.

Adenovirus type 1 is also called "infectious hepatitis" and is spread by blood, urine, and feces in dogs. Most vaccines include adenovirus type 2 which is safer and allows cross-protection of the deadly liver disease caused by adenovirus type 1.

Parvovirus is a gastrointestinal disease often found in puppies that can cause severe diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, and death. The best way to prevent your pup from getting parvovirus is to vaccinate.

Lastly, parainfluenza is an organism that causes respiratory disease in dogs that are boarded or exposed to lots of other dogs. It is one of the organisms that can cause "kennel cough". Ask one of our doctors to explain why this vaccine is important.

An essential vaccine for any dog that is being boarded somewhere or spends time at daycare with other dogs present. This vaccine protects against the bacterial organism Bordatella bronchiseptica, which often causes classical "kennel cough" - a respiratory disease that when untreated can develop into pneumonia and have severe consequences.

Just like people, dogs can get this disease if they are bitten by a deer tick carrying the bacterial organism Borrelia burgdorferi, which causes Lyme Disease. This vaccine is not for every dog, but talk to one of our doctors if you take your dog camping or hiking in high-risk areas to see if it is recommended.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial organism found in the urine of wild mammals such as raccoons. It can cause kidney failure in dogs if they are exposed to it - usually through drinking from puddles or shared outdoor water bowls. This vaccine is now available with the distemper vaccine as seen above.

"Dog flu" hit the Bloomington/Normal area pretty hard summer of 2016. At that time, none of the dogs were vaccinated and many got very sick. Some fatalities have been reported due to H3N2.  Because this new disease has the potential to be fast spreading and deadly, all dogs were vaccinated at the time of the outbreak to prevent this disease. Since veterinarians throughout town were vaccinating, the outbreak was controlled and there have been no reported cases in this area since. Some boarding facilities in the Bloomington/Normal area require this vaccine and many veterinarians still recommend it on a yearly basis. 

FVRCP (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia):

Panleukopenia typically causes vomiting and diarrhea in cats.  Feline rhinotracheitis and calicivirus can cause upper respiratory disease that leads to ocular discharge, nasal discharge, fever and ocular ulcers.  Although cats and kittens may already be exposed to this virus, the vaccine helps prevent future outbreaks.

Feline leukemia is a contagious disease often carried by feral or outdoor cats and often spread through saliva, usually bites. If your cat spends any time outside we will recommend this vaccine for your cat every year. If you are planning on keeping your cat indoors, we still recommend 2 boosters of this vaccine to give your cat some protection in case he/she slips outside.