Canine: Rabies, DHPP, Lepto, DHLPP, Flu, Lyme, Bordetella Oral, Bordetella Injectable, and Rattlesnake by request. 

Feline: Rabies, FVRCP, and Leukemia.

After your pet receives a vaccine, it's important to monitor them for any reactions. While most pets experience no significant issues, here’s some symptoms they might experience:

Normal Reactions: 

• Mild Lethargy : Your pet may seem a bit tired or less active than usual for a day or so.
• Slight Fever : A minor increase in body temperature is common and typically resolves on its own.
• Reduced Appetite : Some pets might eat a little less for a day or two.
• Local Reactions : It's normal to see some swelling, tenderness, or a small lump at the injection site. This should diminish within a few days.

Concerning Signs: 

• Severe Allergic Reactions : Allergic reactions, which may happen within a few minutes to hours after vaccination, are rare but can be life-threatening. Seek veterinary care immediately if you notice any of these signs: difficulty breathing, swelling of the face (nose, eyes, or neck), hives, fainting or collapse, or severe persistent vomiting and diarrhea. These require immediate veterinary attention. Always let your veterinarian know if your pet has had any prior reactions to any vaccine or medication. If you’re concerned that an allergic reaction may occur, wait in the veterinary clinic for 30-60 minutes after vaccination before taking your pet home.
• Extreme Lethargy : If your pet remains unusually tired and unresponsive for more than a day, seek veterinary advice.

Maintaining a consistent vaccination schedule is crucial for your pet’s health. Vaccinations are designed to build and sustain immunity against specific diseases. If a vaccine is missed, it may weaken their immunity, making them more susceptible to disease. In such cases, your pet might need a booster or a new vaccination series to restore full protection. 

Absolutely, indoor pets still need vaccinations! While they may not require the full range of vaccines, they still need core vaccinations to protect them from serious diseases. Here are some of the most common reasons: 

• Unexpected Escapes:  Even indoor pets can occasionally slip outside or come into contact with outdoor elements, making them vulnerable to diseases they might not encounter indoors. Some of these diseases are highly contagious and can be easily transmitted, posing a risk to your pet even from brief exposures.
• Exposure to External Contaminants:  Indoor pets are still at risk of exposure to diseases through various means. People, other pets, and even outdoor environments can carry pathogens that may be brought inside. For instance, fleas or ticks from outside can carry diseases that affect indoor pets. Some diseases, like certain strains of respiratory infections, can spread in environments where pets congregate, such as vet clinics or grooming salons. Visitors might unknowingly bring pathogens into the home, putting indoor pets at risk. Contaminants from soil, plants, or water can sometimes be carried into the home on shoes or other items.
• Herd Immunity:  By vaccinating all pets, including those that are indoors, we contribute to the overall reduction of disease in the pet population. This helps in controlling outbreaks and protecting pets that may have compromised immune systems.
• Comprehensive Protection:  Vaccines guard against both common and emerging diseases, helping indoor pets stay protected from new health threats and maintaining their immunity.
• Legal and Health Regulations: Rabies vaccinations are required by law in Sonoma County, regardless of whether pets are indoor or outdoor.  

Why is it legally required: Rabies is one of the most dangerous, life-threatening diseases affecting animals and while it is nowhere near as common in people they can also be at risk of infection under certain circumstances. Due to threat the highly contagious virus poses to the animal population that vaccination is legally required in some states to prevent it from spreading. 

For dogs: State and local laws require dogs over four months of age to be vaccinated against rabies. The initial vaccination is good for one year. After that, rabies vaccinations are needed every three years.

For cats: cats are required by law to be vaccinated annually against rabies in Sonoma County.

What is Rabies: Rabies is a virus that attacks the nervous system and the brain that leads to severe brain disease and death if medical attention is not received before the symptoms begin. The virus can have a long incubation period of about two months, however once the symptoms start, the progression of the disease is relentless and unstoppable.

How do you "catch" rabies: It is contracted by the exposure to the saliva of a rabid animal (an animal that is infected with rabies virus). Any mammal can get rabies, but the most commonly infected animals in the United States are raccoons, skunks, bats and foxes. Rabies is most commonly contracted if a bite from an infected animal penetrates the skin. However it can also be transmitted if an infected animal licks an open wound, cut or scratch, or if the animal licks the mouth, nose or eyes. Simply petting a rabid animal will not transmit rabies. 

What are symptoms of rabies in animals: 

Most rabid animals show signs of central nervous system disturbance. The most reliable indicators are sudden and severe behavioral changes and unexplained paralysis that worsens over time. Behavioral changes can include sudden loss of appetite, signs of apprehension or nervousness, irritability, and hyperexcitability. The animal may seek solitude, or an otherwise unfriendly animal may become friendly. Uncharacteristic aggressiveness can develop; a normally calm and obedient animal may become vicious. Commonly, wild animals may lose their fear of people. Animals that are normally nocturnal may be seen wandering around during the daytime.

The furious form of rabies is the classic “mad-dog” syndrome, although it is seen in all species. The animal becomes irritable and may viciously and aggressively use its teeth and claws with the slightest provocation. The posture is alert and anxious, with pupils dilated. Noise can invite attack. Such animals lose fear and caution of other animals. Rabid cats can attack suddenly, biting and scratching viciously. As the disease progresses, seizures and lack of muscle coordination are common. Death is caused by progressive paralysis.

The paralytic (or "dumb") form of rabies is usually seen with paralysis of the throat and jaw muscles, often with excess salivation and inability to swallow. Affected animals may also lose muscle control. These animals may not be vicious and rarely attempt to bite. People can be infected by this form when examining the cat’s mouth or giving it medication with bare hands. Again, paralysis progresses throughout the body and death occurs within a few hours.

Vaccinations for your pet are classified as core and non-core vaccinations. 

Core vaccines are vaccinations that are recommended for all pets and are sometimes legally required (like rabies), regardless of lifestyle.  These vaccines protect against diseases that are easily transmissible, serious, and/or fatal. 

Non-core are vaccinations that are recommended by veterinarians based on a pet’s unique medical history, age, and lifestyle and are sometimes considered "optional". However some "non-core" vaccines may be considered "core" for certain pets so talk to your veterinarian today about your pet's vaccines!