Keep your furry friend healthy and disease-free with vaccinations for your pet in Lakewood
Posted by Dr. Jose Arambulo
Are vaccines really necessary?
In short, yes! We know that it takes time and money to vaccinate your pet, but it is the best way to protect your beloved animal from getting certain viral or bacterial illnesses that can take a toll on their health, be costly to treat, and possibly even threaten their life. For example, the cost of treating parvovirus (parvo for short) can be upwards of $2000, and parvo can kill up to 90% of dogs who go untreated. Not only do vaccinations help prevent these types of tragic illnesses, but they also bolster your pet’s immune system so they are better able to fight off other infections for which there are no current vaccines available.When your animal is vaccinated, it also helps prevent the spread of disease to other animals, and conversely, it prevents wild animals from being able to pass diseases onto your pet. Vaccines are so important that some types of vaccines are legally required in certain states.
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Common vaccinations for dogs
Thanks to modern advances in veterinary science, more vaccinations are available to help protect dogs than ever before. While some are optional and may not be necessary if your pet is not likely to be exposed to certain diseases, there are other “core” vaccinations that we always strongly recommend.- Rabies: In California, an up-to-date rabies vaccine is required by law for all dogs that are four months or older. After the initial rabies vaccine, your dog should receive a booster one year later, and then every three years thereafter.
- DHLPP: This is a combination vaccine, also called “the 5-way vaccine,” that protects against several serious canine diseases, including distemper, hepatitis (also called adenovirus), leptospirosis, parvo, and parainfluenza. A similar version of this vaccine called DAPPv+L4 protects against the same diseases except for hepatitis.
Common vaccinations for cats
If you have a cat, you have many vaccination options to protect your feline friend. Some are considered “core” and should be administered to every cat, while others are only needed if your cat lives in or visits certain environments.
- Rabies: In California, while a rabies vaccine is not legally required, it is strongly recommended. In fact, cats are the most frequently reported animals with rabies in the United States, and if your cat is exposed to rabies, you are also at risk of contracting this deadly disease if your cat is unvaccinated. It is recommended that cats receive a rabies vaccine at three months of age, followed by another vaccine 12 months later, and then every 36 months thereafter.
- Calicivirus: This type of virus is one of the two most common causes of feline upper respiratory infections.
- Rhinotracheitis: This is another most common virus that can cause upper respiratory infections.
- Panleukopenia: This vaccine protects against a type of parvovirus that can be fatal for cats.
Personalized care that you can trust
At Bloomfield Animal Hospital, we understand that each pet is unique and that you may choose a more customized approach to your pet’s vaccinations. Dr. Arambulo can discuss your preferences with you and come up with a vaccination plan that you are comfortable with while still protecting your pet. Call us at (562) 383-7788 to schedule an appointment to get your pet vaccinated today!
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.
