Vaccinations and Preventative Medicine

Vaccinating your pet is one of the best ways of expressing your love and concern. Vaccines save lives and help keep your pet in optimal health for longer. That’s why it’s one of the most basic veterinary services you can obtain at Byrant Drive Animal Hospital in Tuscaloosa, AL.

We also encourage pet owners to see your Tuscaloosa veterinarian for regular exams, flea and tick prevention guidance and other forms of preventative medicine. After all, a pet whose medical needs are met before illnesses strike are far likelier to live longer, happier and more productive lives.

Here’s a little more information about the vaccinations your pet needs.

Safe Protection Against Common Serious Illnesses

Vaccines provide protection against a range of viral and bacterial infections that could cause serious illnesses or even prematurely end the life of your pet. Many of these vaccinations are more than just sensible protection -- they’re also mandatory. That’s to protect not only your own pet’s good health and life, but that of other animals it might come in contact with.

How Vaccinations Work and What They Protect Against

First, know that vaccines won’t cause your pet any harm. They just mildly stimulate the animal’s immune system so that it will successfully fight off such serious (or fatal) illnesses like parvovirus, distemper, feline herpesvirus and even rabies. When fully vaccinated, none of those and other medical conditions are a threat to your animal.

Here are the diseases your dog or cat are protected against when vaccination care is provided.

Dog Vaccines:

Adenovirus Type 1 -- This often-fatal form of canine hepatitis can also damage the liver.

Adenovirus Type 2 -- Also called kennel cough, this illness will make your pet suffer but it’s usually not fatal.  

Distemper -- Permanent brain damage could occur as a result of this airborne illness that can be easy to contract when your pet is in proximity to other animals.

Parvovirus -- Symptoms of this highly contagious viral infection include severe vomiting and bloody diarrhea, and it. It will usually end in the death of your pet.  

Rabies -- This vaccine is particularly critical in that there is no cure and it’s always fatal to unvaccinated animals

Cat Vaccines:

Calicivirus -- This is a serious feline respiratory condition, with symptoms that include mouth ulcers, joint pain, and extreme weight loss.

Feline distemper -- This also results in the same symptoms and deadly outcome as when contracted by a dog.

Feline herpesvirus -- FVR is a serious upper respiratory condition suffered by cats.

Rabies -- This viral disease is as fatal to your cat and other mammals as it is to your dog.

Schedule Your First Appointment

Your Byrant Drive Animal Hospital vet: Dr Harold Threadgill, is eager to meet you and your beloved pet. Let us provide that first checkup, begin vaccinations and take other preventative measures to maintain the good health and safety of your animal friend.

Simply call us at 205-758-5520. Or make your appointment request online.