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Conventional Services

Vaccines

Vaccines are one method of preventative care we encourage at Lombard Animal Hospital. Vaccines can help to decrease the risk of some serious illnesses commonly seen in our pets. The recommendation for vaccines can vary depending on the patient’s lifestyle. Our doctors will happily discuss these recommendations with you during your next exam.

Dogs

For dogs living in the Portland Metro Area three vaccines are commonly recommended:

  • DAP – This vaccine protects dogs from the Distemper, Adenovirus type 2, as well as Parvovirus. Distemper is a contagious and incurable virus that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurological systems. Similarly, Parvovirus is also highly contagious and can survive in the environment for months, if not years. It attacks the gastrointestinal tract impeding digestion, hydration and leaves lasting effects. Supportive care is the only treatment for these diseases and both can be fatal despite treatment. Adenovirus type 2 is easily passed between dogs. It affects the respiratory system causing high fevers and coughing. The type 2 vaccine also protects your pet from the type 1 Adenovirus which affects the liver.

    This vaccine is given once a dog is over 7- 8 weeks of age and then a second round is administered again in 3-4 weeks. This second vaccine then covers your pet for 1 year. It is then administered every 3 years. The same protocol is used in an adult dog who has never been vaccinated before.

  • Bordatella/ Parainfluenza – This vaccine is most frequently recommended yearly to combat the airborne bacteria which commonly causes contagious upper respiratory infections in dogs. This bacteria also weakens the pet's immune system and allows for viral invasion.
  • Rabies Vaccine – Rabies is virus that is 100% fatal to mammals once infected. By law, all registered pets in Oregon must be current on their rabies vaccination. Our reception staff can help you file your records of vaccination with the correct authorities or you can visit www.multcopets.org.

    The first time the rabies vaccine is administered it protects a pet for one year and is then boostered every 3 years.

  • Please ask about Leptospirosis and Lyme disease vaccines in your annual exam. They may be appropriate for your dog.

Cats

All of the feline vaccines at Lombard Animal Hospital are adjuvant free. Adjuvants are agents used to stimulate the immune response to the viruses within the vaccine. These agents are known to cause inflammatory reactions at the injection site that can lead to fibrosarcomas- or malignant tumors. To decrease this risk for our patients we choose to offer non-adjuvanted vaccines.

The vaccine protocol recommended at Lombard Animal Hospital consists of two vaccines for 100% indoor cats and a third vaccine for cats who spend time outdoors:

  • HCP – The HCP vaccine protects cats against Herpes Virus, Feline Calici Virus, and Panleukopenia. The Feline Herpes and Calici viruses are both highly contagious upper respiratory viruses. Panleukopenia is a highly infectious feline distemper virus, creating problems in the gastrointestinal tract, as well as attacking the bone marrow.

    The HCP vaccine (also commonly administered as FVRCP) is given once at 6-8 weeks and is then boostered 3-4 weeks later. This second vaccine protects your cat for one year. Every vaccine booster thereafter protects your pet for 3 years.

  • Rabies - Rabies is seen four times more in cats than in dogs and is 100% fatal to those who become infected. Because rabies can be passed from pets to humans it is required by Oregon law that your cat is vaccinated. Our rabies vaccine will protect your pet for one year and then a yearly booster is required. The receptionist staff can help you make sure Multnomah County Animal Services has record that your pet has been properly vaccinated against rabies or you can visit www.multcopets.org.
  • FeLV – The FeLV vaccine is often recommended for outdoor cats. It protects against a retrovirus similar to human HIV, which can cause a weak immune system, disabling a cat from fighting off other infections. FeLV infection is the most common cause of cancer in cats. Other symptoms are blood disorders and eye conditions. The virus can be passed among cats by saliva and nasal secretions. Most commonly FeLV is transmitted by bite wounds and shared grooming. Infection with FeLV generally lowers the quality of life of a pet, as well as shortening it's life expectancy. Before vaccination an ELISA (enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay) is performed. The first vaccine is administered and then boostered 3-4 weeks later. Yearly vaccination follows.