CountryCare Animal Complex

Vaccinations are designed to effectively reduce the extent and severity of infectious disease in our pets. It is recommended that vaccination protocols are selected for each individual animal based on risk of exposure, health status, age, and the individual needs and lifestyle of your pet.

Potential Risks

There is always a potential risk for an adverse reaction to a vaccine. Although the risk is very low, it is still there. Possible reactions include an immediate hypersensitivity reaction, auto-immune disease from over-vaccinating and the development of vaccine-associated sarcomas in cats.

Our Vaccination Guidelines

We tailor your pet's vaccination program to your pet's lifestyle to reduce the risks of both diseases and possible side effects. It is important that you understand both the benefits and risks of the vaccination program that we have outlined for your individual pet(s). We are happy to discuss any questions or concerns that you may have regarding our vaccination protocol.

Dog Vaccines

Rabies

Rabies vaccination is required by law for dogs. Not only is there no cure for rabies but there is also a human health risk since humans can contract rabies from an infected animal.

DAP

This is a combination vaccine commonly referred to as the "Distemper" vaccine. This 3-way vaccine protects against the core group of viral disease in dogs: Distemper, Adenovirus and Parvovirus. All puppies and dogs that are not immune compromised should be vaccinated with DAP to protect them against these diseases. After an initial series of two vaccines as a puppy, the vaccine that we use is labeled with 3 years of protection. This vaccine provides the protection from these diseases while eliminating the concern of vaccinating every year.

Kennel Cough

Kennel cough is an upper respiratory "complex" generally caused by Bordatella bronchiseptica bacterium and parainfluenza virus. We use an intranasal vaccine for Kennel Cough (the vaccine goes in the nose rather than by injection). The intranasal vaccine offers faster protection and provides immunity against these diseases both systemically and locally (upper respiratory tract) where the infection occurs. This vaccine is recommended and often required for all dogs that will be exposed to other dogs (e.g. shows, training classes, boarding facilities). The vaccine should be administered at least one week prior to potential exposure to provide adequate protection.

Lyme's Disease

Lyme's disease is caused by an organism called Borrelia burgdorferi. This organism is transmitted by infected ticks to your dog. Wisconsin is an endemic area for Lyme's disease and we recommend vaccination for any dog with the potential to come into contact with ticks (wooded areas, etc.).

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease spread primarily by wildlife. Common carriers include raccoons, skunk, opossum, small rodents, deer and livestock such as cows. Your dog becomes infected when coming into contact with urine (or puddles of water contaminated with urine) of infected animals. Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease (it can be spread to people from animals). It is recommended that all dogs at risk be vaccinated.

Cat Vaccines

FVRCP

This is a combination vaccine commonly referred to as the "Feline Distemper" vaccine. This vaccine protects against three very serious viral diseases in cats: Panleukopenia (feline distemper), and the upper respiratory complex - Rhinotracheitis and Calicivirus . All kittens and cats should be vaccinated with FVRCP to protect them against these diseases. The vaccine that we use is licensed for 3 year protection after the kitten series. This allows for maximum protection while minimizing the chance of vaccine reactions with yearly injections.

FeLV - Feline Leukemia Virus

FeLV is a virus that attacks the immune system and eventually causes other disease to take over the body. A cat may be FeLV virus positive and not show any clinical signs but continue to infect other cats that he comes into contact with. Vaccination for FeLV is recommended for cats whose lifestyle puts them at risk of exposure to the organism: outdoor or indoor-outdoor cats, stray cats, open multiple cat households or cats in a FeLV positive household. All cats should have a negative FeLV blood test prior to vaccinating for FeLV.

Rabies

Rabies vaccination is highly recommended for cats. Not only is there no cure for rabies but there is also a human health risk since humans can contract rabies from an infected animal.