FAQs From The Pets ALIVE Doc

Dr. Jen Breese Answers Frequently Asked Questions

"What kind of transport vehicle will you be using to deliver my pet to your Clinic?"
"What is the procedure that my pet is going to have done?"
"What kind of anesthesia is used to sedate my pet?
"How will my pet be monitored during surgery?"
"Will my pet receive pain-relieving medication?"
"What do I do after I pick my pet up from surgery?"
"Are vaccines required prior to my pet's visit?"

Yes and No-Rabies vaccination is required by law in the state of Indiana for all animals over the age of 12 weeks. You may either provide a proof of rabies vaccination certificate (tag alone is NOT acceptable) for your pet, or you must obtain his/her rabies vaccination at the time of surgery. Three year rabies vaccine is recognized as an acceptable immunization against the disease, but can only be administered to those animals that have received previous rabies vaccinations within the last 12 months.

Other optional vaccinations are available at the time of surgery only. We highly encourage those requesting vaccines for their pets that require boosters to schedule those at their full service veterinary clinic.

A word of caution --- As in any veterinary clinic or animal boarding facility, your non-immunized pet may come in contact with other animals that may carry a common viral or bacterial disease at our facility. Having your pet immunized at the time of surgery does not protect him/her from that immediate exposure. Most vaccines do not protect animals until two weeks after the immunization is administered. While we will take all necessary precautions to ensure equipment and kennel areas are disinfected and animals are kept separate, we cannot guarantee that your animal will be protected against common viral or bacterial diseases against which he/she is not immunized.

Cats may receive immunization against a number of respiratory and enteric (GI) pathogens:

• FVRCP Includes feline rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia, Chlamydia, and calici-virus immunization
• May be given to any kitten/cat over the age of 6 weeks
• Should be boostered at least 1 additional time 3 to 4 weeks later, then yearly thereafter
• Recommended for healthy cats
• FeLv Immunization against feline leukemia virus
• Recommended primarily for the inside/outside, totally outside or cats in homes with feline-leukemia positive cats
• May be given any time after 9 weeks of age
• Should be boostered one time in 3 to 4 weeks
• This vaccine does not affect the results of a feline leukemia test
• Testing prior to vaccination is not mandatory, but if status of cat is unknown it is recommended to test for both feline immunodeficiency virus and leukemia virus prior to adoption
• FIV Immunization against feline immunodeficiency virus
• Most recently developed feline vaccines
• It is known that a FIV vaccinated cat will test positive for FIV infection using the currently available testing materials
• Recommended to test prior to vaccination
• We do NOT currently advocate the use of this vaccine

Dogs

• DA 2 LPPv Immunization against distemper, adenovirus-2, leptospirosis, par influenza virus & parvo-virus
• This vaccine may be given at any time after 6 weeks of age
• More typically considered the choice for the 3 rd and 4 th vaccines in an immunization program
• Yearly booster recommended for all healthy dogs
• DA 2 PPv-Cv Immunization against distemper, adenovirus-2, par influenza virus, parvo-virus & corona virus
• This vaccine may be given to any healthy pup after the age of 6 weeks
• Corona virus is typically a concern to juvenile dogs and is generally recommended as the immunization for the 1 st and/or 2 nd immunizations in the total series of 3 to 4 vaccines
• Bordatella Immunization against Canine Infectious Tracheitis or kennel cough
• A duel bacterial and viral respiratory infection commonly occurring when dogs are exposed to other dogs that are currently infected with either or both agent (Bordatella bronchiseptica or par influenza). The infected dogs (like kids with chicken pox may or may not be exhibiting symptoms of the disease - making their risk for spreading the disease impossible to detect. Dogs that are going to be boarded, shown, exercised in a park, groomed at a grooming facility, or attending obedience classes should receive this inoculation.
• Depending on what type of product was used, your pet may not have immediate immunity
• The injectable product must be boostered in 3 weeks, and immunity may not be maximal for two weeks

"What about testing before surgery?"

SEE ALSO: Our General Pets Alive FAQs
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