Your Pet's Protection Plan: Vaccinations

Vaccinations are an essential part of your pet's wellness plan, building a strong defense against highly contagious and potentially fatal diseases. At Hamilton Crossing Animal Hospital, we tailor a vaccine schedule to your pet's age, lifestyle, and risk of exposure.

The Universal Requirement: Rabies Vaccine

For both dogs and cats, the Rabies vaccine is the single most important component of your pet's protection plan and is required by Indiana state law for all domestic pets.

  • Why it's Crucial: Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the central nervous system and is virtually 100% fatal once symptoms develop. It is also zoonotic, meaning it can be transmitted from animals (like infected wildlife) to humans. Vaccinating your pet is not only a legal requirement but a vital act of public health protection for your family and community.

Dog Vaccinations: Core and Lifestyle Protection

We categorize dog vaccines into Core (recommended for all dogs) and Non-Core/Lifestyle (recommended based on risk of exposure).

-DAPP Protects against Distemper, Adenovirus (Hepatitis), Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus. These are highly contagious, severe, and often fatal viral diseases. 

  • Canine Distemper: A severe, multisystemic viral disease that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. It is often fatal, and survivors may suffer from permanent neurological damage.

  • Canine Adenovirus (Hepatitis): This protects against a virus that causes Infectious Canine Hepatitis. This disease primarily targets the liver, causing severe damage, and can also affect the kidneys, eyes (blue eye), and blood vessels. Though less common today thanks to vaccination, it can be fatal.

  • Canine Parainfluenza: This is a highly contagious respiratory virus that contributes to Kennel Cough (Infectious Tracheobronchitis). While not often life-threatening on its own, it causes uncomfortable symptoms like persistent, hacking coughs, and weakens the respiratory system, making the dog susceptible to secondary bacterial infections.

  • Canine Parvovirus (Parvo): is a deadly virus that attacks rapidly dividing cells, especially those in the intestinal lining and bone marrow. It causes severe, bloody vomiting and diarrhea, leading to extreme dehydration and immune system collapse. Parvovirus is also notoriously resilient; it can survive in the environment (like in your yard or on dog park surfaces) for months, resisting many common household cleaners. Vaccination is the only effective defense against this severe threat, especially for puppies.

-Leptospirosis (Lepto): Protects against Leptospira bacteria. Lepto causes severe, sudden, and potentially fatal kidney or liver failure in dogs. It is spread through contact with water, soil, or food contaminated by the urine of infected wildlife (raccoons, rodents, deer). Leptospirosis is Zoonotic, meaning your dog can contract it and potentially shed the bacteria, placing you and your family at risk of infection.

Lifestyle (Non-Core) Dog Vaccines

These vaccines are recommended based on where your dog spends their time:

  • Bordetella (Kennel Cough): This protects against a primary cause of Infectious Tracheobronchitis (Kennel Cough), a highly contagious respiratory illness.

    • Importance: We strongly recommend this vaccine for any dog that has regular exposure to other dogs at places like dog parks, grooming facilities, boarding kennels, or training classes.

  • Canine Influenza Virus (CIV): This is the "dog flu" vaccine, which protects against two common strains (H3N2 and H3N8).

  • Importance: Like Bordetella, this is critical for social dogs or those entering high-contact environments. CIV is highly contagious and can cause severe symptoms, including high fevers and pneumonia. Many boarding and grooming facilities require this vaccine for entry.

  • Lyme Disease: Protects against Lyme disease, which is transmitted by ticks.

    • Importance: This vaccine is reserved for dogs with a high-risk lifestyle, such as hunting dogs, farm dogs, or those living in heavily wooded or high-tick-risk areas. It prevents the severe joint disease and potential kidney damage associated with the illness.

Cat Vaccinations: Core and Lifestyle Protection

Core Cat Vaccines

-FVRCP (Feline Distemper): This is an essential core vaccine for all cats, even those strictly indoors It is a combination vaccine protecting against:

  • FVR (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis/Herpesvirus): A major cause of severe upper respiratory infection, sneezing, and eye discharge. The virus remains dormant and can flare up during times of stress.

  • C (Calicivirus): Causes painful mouth ulcers, respiratory disease, and often lameness.

  • P (Panleukopenia, or Feline Distemper): A highly contagious and often fatal virus that attacks the blood cells and intestinal tract. It is resistant to disinfectants and can live in the environment for months.

Lifestyle (Non-Core) Cat Vaccine

  • Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV): Protects against a fatal viral disease that causes cancer, immune suppression, and severe anemia.

    • Importance: We recommend the FeLV vaccine for any cat that spends any time outside—even if it's just supervised time on a back porch or deck. FeLV is spread primarily through prolonged close contact, bite wounds, and shared bowls with an infected cat. Since the disease is irreversible and ultimately fatal, preventing exposure through vaccination is the best defense.

We are happy to discuss your pet's specific environment and tailor a vaccination schedule that provides the best protection for their unique lifestyle.