Protection & Prevention
At Aptos-Creekside Pet Hospital we put a spotlight on preventive care to keep your pet from developing common diseases and disorders.
With a combination of regular pet vaccinations, parasite prevention and routine exams you are helping to create a strong healthcare routine for your animal companion.
Preventive care provides your pet with the best chance to live a long, happy and healthy life. Our team of highly trained veterinarians will work with you to establish a preventative care plan that is uniquely customized to meet you dog or cat's needs.
Pet Vaccination & Reproductive Surgery Schedule
Keeping your cat or dog's vaccinations current and up to date is essential when it comes to protecting your pet from a variety of contagious and often serious diseases and conditions. Getting your animal friend neutered or spayed doesn't just prevent them from giving birth to unwanted litters they also help protect your pet from several serious types of cancer. These common procedures may also prevent undesirable behaviors like roaming, scooting, animal aggression and howling.
Cat Vaccinations
Kittens need the following shots In their first year of life to keep them safe from serious diseases.
- 6 to 8 weeks
- Rhinotracheitis, Calcivirus, Panleukopenia, Chlamydia
- 10 to 12 weeks
- Booster: Rhinotracheitis, Calcivirus, Panleukopenia, Chlamydia
- Feline Leukemia
- 14 to 16 Weeks
- Booster: Rhinotracheitis, Calcivirus, Panleukopenia, Chlamydia
- Feline Leukemia 2
- 5 to 6 months
The following isn't a list of vaccinations for your kitten however, microchipping, neutering and spaying helps protect your cat from a range of health conditions, making them fall under the umbrella of preventive health care.
- Spay (females) - Having your female cat spayed prevents the birth of unwanted kittens, helps keep them safe from serious illnesses, and can prevent undesirable behaviors including howling and scooting which accompanies heat cycles.
- Neuter (males) - Getting your male cat neutered prevents your pet from fathering unwanted kitten litters, keeps your cat safe from various illnesses, and helps prevent cat aggression, howling, roaming and territory marking (spraying).
- Microchipping - A microchip is a permanent identification tag (about the size of a rice grain) which is placed under your cat's skin to help increase the chance of relocating your pet if they become lost.
Dog Vaccinations
Puppies in their first year require the following shots to help protect them from dangerous conditions.
- 6 to 8 weeks
- DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
- 10 to 12 Weeks
- Booster: DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
- Bordetella (Optional)
- Leptospirosis (Optional)
- 14 to 16 Weeks
- Booster: DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
- Rabies
- Booster: Bordetella (Optional)
- Booster: Leptospirosis (Optional)
The following may not be types of puppy vaccinations but, spaying, neutering, and microchipping helps keep your dog safe from various health issues, falling under the preventive health care umbrella.
- Spay (female) - Spaying your female dog will keep them from mothering puppies, as well as, prevent various cancers and regular heat cycles ( attracting roaming male dogs to your property).
- Neuter (male) - Having your male dog neutered can stop him from fathering unwanted puppies, protects your pup from a range of serious cancers, and reduces the risk of aggressive dog behaviours and roaming.
- Microchipping - A microchip ( which is about the size of a rice grain) is a permanent method of identification that is placed under your dog's skin. Lost pets that are microchipped have a higher chance of being reunited with their owners.
- 12 to 16 Months
- Final Booster: DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
- Rabies
- Final Booster: Bordetella (Optional)
- Final Booster: Leptospirosis (Optional)
Parasite Prevention
Parasites are a serious health threat to both animals and humans in the Santa Cruz County area. Parasites that are left untreated can be life threatening to your cat or dog. Sometimes they can even be transmitted to other pets or people in your house. The parasite prevention products we have available can help protect your cat or dog from the common parasites listed below:
Fleas
Fleas are a common external parasite that feeds on the blood of birds and mammals. If untreated, fleas can spread throughout your home quickly.
Ticks
An external parasite that consumes the blood of mammals. They are responsible for spreading a variety of serious conditions in pets and humans.
Ear Mites
Ear mites are tiny and highly contagious. They reside in the ear canals of dogs, cats and other mammals, continuously reproducing throughout their lifespan.
Heartworm
Thread-like parasitic roundworms that spread through mosquito bites, making their homes in the lungs, blood vessels and hearts of infected animals.
Hookworm
Parasites that live in the digestive tracts of both cats and dogs feeding on their blood. Hookworms can cause anemia and other severe conditions.
Roundworm
A parasitic worm that lives in the intestines of animals, feeding on partially digested intestinal contents; stealing nutrients that are necessary to your pets health.
Tapeworm
These hook-like parasitic worms are spread when your pet ingests infected fleas while grooming. Tapeworms grow and live in the intestines of your pet.
Whipworm
Whipworms are a high health risk to dogs. These parasites are spread when your pet ingests soil that has been in contact with feces from an infected dog.
