Vaccinations
Thompson Animal Hospital
6615 S. Florida Ave,
Lakeland, Florida
Phone: 863-648-4886
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Preventive Health Care Vaccinations for Your Pet
As medical professionals, we know it is far easier to vaccinate to prevent diseases than it is to try to treat the illnesses. While not every pet needs every vaccination, all dogs and cats need some vaccinations. Our veterinarians will examine your pet and make recommendations as to the proper vaccination protocol based on a variety of factors, including your pet's age, health, prior vaccination, potential exposure to diseases, and lifestyle.
Pets with illnesses, organ problems, or parasites may not be able to respond properly to the vaccines. The veterinarian may suggest fecal examinations, blood screening, or other laboratory tests to make sure your pet is well enough to be vaccinated.
| Adult Dogs | Adult Cats | Heartworms | Allergic Reactions |
Vaccines Recommendations for Adult Dogs
DHLPP Vaccine (1-year)—(Distemper/Hepatitis/Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza/Parvovirus) Commonly called the Distemper Booster is given to pets that are at greater risk of exposure to leptosporosis or have not been vaccinacinated for over 2 years.
DHPP Vaccine (3-year)—We start dogs on this vaccine at 1-1 1/2 years of age. This provides good disease protection and your dog gets poked less.
Rabies—Polk County permits both one and 3 year rabies vaccines.
Bordetella/Kennel Cough—Given yearly to protect your pet against this airborne virus. Keep in mind this vaccine is not just for boarding pets, but frequently pets which go to boarding facilities require semi-annual boosters.
Three Year Vaccines
We offer three year Rabies and DHPP vaccines for canines. We alternate the three year vaccines so the two vaccines are never given together again once an adult.
Cat Vaccines
Here at Thompson Animal Hospital we are passionate about the cat vaccines that are used. We use the Merial Purevax vaccines exclusively because of their reduced liklihood of Vaccine Associated Sarcoma (Cancer). These quality vaccines are give yearly, and have been proven to be much safer than their 3 year counterparts (which we do not recommend).
Vaccines Recommended for all Cats
FVRCP—Feline Distemper (Feline Herpes, Calici, Panleukopenia) Feline Rhino Tracheitis is a very contagious upper respiratory infection that can cause permanet damage to the respiratory system. Nothing is sadder than seeing a pet sick from a preventable disease. Polk County has had a huge outbreak of feline distemper and we continue to see cats infected these diseases.
Rabies—Required by state and federal governments, it is a deadly zoonotic disease, meaning humans can catch it.
FeLv/FIV/Heartworm Test—Feline Leukemia/Feline Aids/Heartworms
This test is recommended for all kittens and cats that have never been tested and
cats that are indoor/outdoor should be tested yearly due to higher exposure risks.
This vaccine is only recommended for kittens and cats that go outside.
FeLv—Feline Leukemia
Feline Leukemia virus is cancer of the bloodcells. It is passed through saliva and nasal secretions. It is a potentially fata disease. We recommend cats that go outside be vaccinated against the Feline Leukemia virus. Cats that are in screened in porches are safe from the virus.
Heartworms
We can not stress enough how important Heartworm prevention is for pets in Polk County Florida. Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes and the larvae travel through the dogs bloodstream and travel into your dogs heart. They grow into spaghetti-like worms. And can be lethal. Heartworm medication is required every month , 12 months a year, starting as a puppy, for the life of the pet to prevent heartworm infestation.
Heartworm tests are then performed yearly due to high mosquito population
If more than 1 dose was missed, please call your veterinarian before restarting heartworm preventatives. We sell both Heartgard and Advantage Multi in our office. Other fine products are conveniently available for in-home delivery.
Map Showing Heartworm Incindence in the United States.
Central Florida has one of the highest incidences of heartworms in the United States.
What Vaccinations Do My Pet Need?
Your veterinarian will let you know if your pet requires boosters of the vaccines. Note that puppies and kittens should receive booster immunizations until they are at least 12 - 16 weeks old. Older pets with no vaccination history will also require booster vaccines. The needs of adult pets will vary and the doctor will design an individualized vaccine booster program to meet your pet’s needs.
A Note on Pet Vaccinations: Potential Risks and Side Effects.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the increased use of vaccinations in pets over the last century has been hugely successful in preventing death and disease in millions of animals. Certain diseases are much less prevalent now than they were in the past in the United States as a result of pet vaccination campaigns such as Rabies, Parvo, and Distemper. Rarely, pets may experience mild reactions to vaccines that should subside within a couple of days, including tenderness or swelling at the injection site, decreased activity, fever, or loss of appetite. More serious problems can occur following vaccinations that indicate a serious allergic reaction, such as vomiting or diarrhea, swollen face or legs, overall severe itching, breathing difficulties, or collapse. If any of these symptoms occur, please contact us immediately; after hours call the nearest emergency facility.
