What must you know about pet vaccinations? Everything you need is available in Lakewood
Posted by Dr. Jose Arambulo
The purpose of vaccinating
A vaccine is a biological preparation that contains microbes that cause disease. It essentially teaches your pet’s body how to combat a potentially harmful pathogen in the future. Microbes in the formulation are killed or substantially weakened. When the compound is injected into a healthy pet, the immune system attacks and destroys the agent. In the process, it develops antibodies for increased resistance to that specific threat (or a related one) should it be encountered again.The risks of not vaccinating
Compassionate pet owners are naturally concerned about the risks of vaccinating. However, inoculation is quick and virtually painless. The animal’s immune system response is so brief that you may not notice any adverse effect. In some cases, there can be mild and temporary side effects, but acute reactions are rare.Risks of NOT vaccinating are much greater:
- Health – Several diseases/viruses can cause grave illness or death. Vaccinations are an effective tool to spare your pet from that circumstance and to reduce the overall incidence of these afflictions among other pets in your household or community.
- Economic – Cost of treating just one preventable illness dramatically exceeds the expense of vaccinations, potentially over the lifetime of the animal.
- Legal – In California, all pets over the age of four months must be vaccinated against rabies. Under applicable laws, vaccination is a prerequisite to licensing. Penalties for violating these laws can be costly, and even worse, your dog could be impounded (taken from you).
- Peace of mind – Conscientious vaccination saves thousands of pets from agony and death. Imagine how you might feel knowing your pet suffered or died from, or had to be destroyed because of an illness that could have been prevented.
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When to start vaccines
At Bloomfield Animal Hospital each pet receives a tailored vaccination program.If you have a puppy, a plan for starting vaccinations early can help the pet get a strong start in life. Core vaccinations (those usually recommended for all canines) generally start at eight weeks of age.
Non-core or optional vaccinations can be started early, as well. Bordetella bronchiseptica, leptospira, and canine influenza can be given as early as eight weeks of age. Incidence of Lyme disease is increasing in California, so this non-core vaccination is highly suggested if your dog spends time outdoors.
A similar protocol applies to kittens, with core vaccines (feline calicivirus, rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia, and rabies) starting as early as eight weeks of age.
Don’t worry if you adopt an older dog or cat – it is virtually never too late to safeguard your pet. Dr. Arambulo performs a comprehensive examination to make sure existing health issues are identified and addressed so that your older animal can be safely inoculated.
As a pet owner in Lakewood, everything you must know about vaccinations is simply – call (562) 383-7788 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Arambulo at Bloomfield Animal Hospital. He provides guidance that keeps puppies and kittens, and dogs and cats healthy.
Bloomfield Animal Hospital is a trusted name in pets’ preventive, medical, surgical, and emergency care in Lakewood, CA. With a 30-year history as a family-owned pet clinic, it provides modern services in a warm, friendly environment. It’s one of the few veterinary hospitals to be AAHA-accredited.
Dr. Jose Arambulo, owner and chief veterinarian, is experienced in treating eye, ear, and skin disorders and is especially interested in internal medicine, dentistry, and soft tissue surgery. He earned his BS in Medical Technology from the University of Santo Tomas and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of the Philippines. He completed clinical evaluation for veterinary medicine at Purdue University in Indiana and was a veterinarian at Banfield and California before acquiring Bloomfield Animal Hospital.
Dr. Arambulo is an active member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Veterinary Information Network, Southern California Veterinary Medical Association, Southern California Filipino Veterinary Medical Association, and the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce.
Our Traveling Surgeon, Dr. Zachery Smith, is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. He specializes in complex orthopedic and soft tissue surgery. While training, he worked with some of the best orthopedic surgeons in the country. He has lectured both locally and internationally. Dr. Smith plays a leading role at Veterinary Orthopedics of California, which is dedicated to providing high-level surgical services to pets.
Our visiting physician, Dr. Fred Brewer, is a veterinary cardiologist board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Psychobiology at UCLA and earned his veterinary degree from Cornell University in 2009. Later, he completed a one-year general rotating internship at the California Animal Hospital Veterinary Specialty Group in West Los Angeles and a three-year cardiology residency at Cornell University.
Dr. Arambulo is an active member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Veterinary Information Network, Southern California Veterinary Medical Association, Southern California Filipino Veterinary Medical Association, and the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce.
