Vaccines

Many diseases that were once fatal to pets can now be prevented through the use of vaccinations. Vaccinations contain antigens, which trigger a mild immune response for specific disease states. If the pet encounters the actual disease later, their bodies are prepared to fight and can completely avoid, or greatly reduce the severity of the illness.

At Walton Way Veterinary Clinic in Augusta, Georgia, our role is to partner with you in the healthcare of your companion pets. It is our goal to educate you on the vaccines and treatments that are especially beneficial for your pet. This allows us to be more flexible with our recommendations, and gives you more control of your pet’s healthcare. We follow the vaccination requirements set out by the American Animal Hospital Association, however, we understand that every pet may require a different vaccine schedule and can tailor a vaccine regimen to suit your pet.

Typically, for our canine clients, our practice provides vaccinations against rabies, distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza, parvovirus, leptospirosis, and bordetella (“kennel cough”). Recommended vaccines for canines include canine influenza virus, and Lyme disease as well.

For our feline friends we use PUREVAX feline vaccines, designed specifically for cats and kittens — without the use of adjuvants, to help protect cats against a number of diseases, including rabies, feline leukemia virus (FeLV), panleukopenia, and pathogens that commonly cause respiratory disease in cats. The family of PUREVAX vaccines induce an effective immune response without the use of adjuvants that can present potential risks to cats.

An adjuvant is a substance that is added to a vaccine to enhance the body's immune response to the vaccine. Adjuvants have been associated with injection site reaction, injection site granuloma, and chronic inflammation in cats.

What are vaccine titers?

Often, pets received booster shots on their vaccines according to the manufacturer’s label. The time frame according to the manufacturer may range from one to three years, depending on the illness it is protecting against. In recent years, veterinarians and pet owners alike have become concerned about the possibility of over-vaccination, or administering a vaccine when it is not necessarily needed. In these instances, a blood test known as a titer test can measure the amount of antibodies your pet currently has to know whether they are still protected by the previous vaccination. The caring doctors at Walton Way Veterinary Clinic recommend titer testing any time there is a question of whether a pet is properly protected.

Vaccinations are one of the most important steps we can take to prevent our constant companions from becoming ill from many common illnesses. Whether you have a brand new puppy or kitten, or an older animal and are unsure of their vaccination status, call one of the friendly team members at Walton Way Veterinary Clinic at 706-733-2288.