Vaccinations
Vaccinations are a core component of preventative care. At Daylily Animal Hospital, we are happy to offer affordable, low-cost pet vaccines to all our pet friends in Hutto and the surrounding areas, such as Pflugerville! We believe that by providing vaccines at an affordable price, we can improve the overall health of the pet population. This increases the happiness and longevity of your beloved companions as well as reduces total costs related to preventable illness and disease.
Vaccinations stimulate an individual’s immune system safely and effectively so that their body can recognize and eliminate a virus when they come into contact with it. We don’t believe in a “one size fits all” kind of approach to your pet’s health, and understand that not all available vaccines are appropriate for every animal. We pride ourselves on our attention to each patient and will work with you to develop a plan that works best for your pet’s health as well as your budget.
Core Pet Vaccinations
- Rabies
- Viral disease that causes brain swelling, fever, violent movement, paralysis, confusion, and loss of consciousness
- Can take between 1 week and 1 year for symptoms to appear after exposure
- Can be spread to humans if scratched or bitten by a rabid animal
- Almost always fatal for animals once contracted, but is preventable by regular immunizations
- Distemper
- Viral infection that primarily affects dogs, but can also affect cats if quarted closely with infected dogs
- Passed from one animal to another through inhalation
- Symptoms may include mild respiratory signs similar to “kennel cough,” severe pneumonia, vomiting, bloody diarrhea
- Parvo
- Viral infection that predominantly affects young dogs’ gastrointestinal (GI) tracts
- Passed from one dog to another through contact with infected fecal matter, or indirectly through contact with contaminated materials, including human skin
- Resilient virus that can survive for months or years outside or up to two months inside, and is particularly resistant to most household cleaners and disinfectants
- Dogs are contagious usually several days before exhibiting symptoms and up to 10 days after symptoms have cleared
- Can be fatal if not treated right away, but easily preventable by vaccine
- Bordetella
- Bacterial infection responsible for respiratory disease in dogs, cats, rabbits, and rarely humans
- Primary bacterium responsible for “kennel cough”
- Highly contagious and transmitted through the air or direct contact
Pet Lifestyle Vaccines
Additionally, we offer a wide range of lifestyle vaccines. These vaccinations will vary depending on several factors, including your pet’s medical history, whether they have regular contact with other animals, and expected travel, to name a few.
Some of the lifestyle vaccines we offer include:
- Leptospirosis
- Relatively rare bacterial disease that is increasing in frequency
- Can be passed between animals and from animals to humans through contact with infected urine in an open wound or mucous membrane, or through contact with leptospirosis contaminated water, soil, or food
- Can survive in water and soil for weeks or months
- Symptoms of infection may include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, stiffness, refusal to eat, weakness and depression
- Influenza
- Virus that causes respiratory illness in various animals
- Influenza A primarily affects animals such as cats, dogs, ducks, chickens, pigs, horses, and even whales and seals
- Symptoms similar to influenza infection in humans, including fever, cough, nasal discharge, and difficulty breathing
- Rattlesnake
- Vaccine specifically for dogs to protect against the venom of the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake
- Vaccine generates antibodies against the venom, which in turn neutralizes it if your dog is bitten
- Dogs still need immediate veterinary care if bitten, but the vaccine reduces the likelihood of permanent injury as well as the amount of pain your pet will feel from the venom
Pet Booster Immunizations
In addition to getting your pets their initial vaccinations, it is essential to follow up with boosters, as well. Without the scheduled booster immunizations, the initial vaccines are less effective (or completely ineffective in some cases). By following the vaccine schedule provided by your veterinarian, you can prevent gaps in coverage provided by the immunizations.
Typically, once an animal has received their core vaccines, they will only need to be updated every few years, depending on the specific vaccine. For rabies, after your pet receives their initial immunization, they will need the first booster 1 year from that date, but all subsequent rabies boosters will only be necessary every 3 years.
While vaccines are considered safe, your pet may experience some mild side effects immediately following the immunization. These may include:
- Discomfort and mild swelling at the injection site
- Low-grade fever
- Decreased appetite and/or activity
- Mild respiratory signs such as sneezing, coughing, and runny nose may occur between 2 and 5 days after receiving an intranasal vaccine
Serious side effects are rare but should be treated as soon as possible. Please seek urgent or emergency care for your pet if they experience any of the following after receiving a vaccine:
- Persistent vomiting and/or diarrhea
- Hives, as evidenced by spotty skin coloring or by persistent itching
- Swelling of the muzzle and around the face
- Severe coughing or labored breathing
- Collapse
- Swelling under the injection site that has not gone away by three weeks after the vaccine was administered
It’s also important to note that even pets who live primarily indoors should be vaccinated, as they can still be exposed to a
Pet Vaccinations in Hutto, TX
Providing vaccines for your dog and cat is something we view as very important. For more information on pet vaccinations or to schedule an appointment, call us at (512) 601-6121 or request an appointment online.
