Vaccines play an essential role in the health of the human members of your household and your animal companions. They are also fundamental to the health of the communities we call “home” in and around Riverview, Brandon, Tampa Bay, and Wesley Chapel, Florida.

As both a vaccine clinic and provider of trusted, comprehensive services for your dog and cat, Pavilion Crossing Animal Hospital gets your pet into a healthy routine of regular wellness visits. No visit would be complete without providing the appropriate vaccines (“shots”) as needed to protect your pet from potentially deadly disease-causing pathogens. Vaccinations accomplish this by stimulating an immune response safely. In turn, by getting your pet “immunized,” you are strengthening their natural defenses against viruses, bacteria, and other invaders responsible for serious diseases. You are also doing your part to prevent the spread of disease in the community, to other pets and animals, and even to people (as “zoonotic” illnesses).

Our veterinarian, Dr. Keshava Eega, takes a special interest in and is adept at providing quality wellness and preventive care. Dr. Eega will adeptly tailor a vaccine schedule and program around your pet’s specific needs. Factors that are considered include:

• Species – Dogs and cats have different risk factors and needs.
• Lifestyle – Some vaccines may be necessary for your pet and not for others of the same species, age, and health status due to their risk exposure as active, outdoor dogs, for instance.
• Age – Younger pets generally get booster shots periodically at intervals recommended by our vet and then are revaccinated less frequently after a certain age.

Of course, we also account for your dog’s or cat’s current health status and the presence of active diseases, as well as the unique characteristics of the vaccine when recommending a vaccine schedule and administering respective vaccines. So, bear in mind that the following schedules and list of core vaccines for our canine and feline friends are generalizations:

• At first, puppies and kittens get shots every three to four weeks.
• Later, older dogs and cats will be revaccinated against certain pathogens and diseases every few years.
• We account for considerations such as the duration of protection associated with each dose of the vaccine.
• Most pets should be immunized against rabies, DAPP (Distemper, Adenovirus-2, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza), Feline Panleukopenia, Feline Herpesvirus-1, Feline Calicivirus, and Feline Leukemia.
• The above list represents “core” vaccines. Additional non-core vaccines may be recommended based on environmental and other factors that increase your pet’s risk of exposure to specific pathogenic threats.

Call (813) 374-9456 to schedule your pet’s wellness exam today at Pavilion Crossing Animal Hospital. Our Riverview, FL, clinic proudly provides in-house wellness plans for kittens, puppies, and adult dogs and cats. It has never been easier and more affordable to keep your pet their healthy, purring, and tail-wagging best.