Vaccinations

    Being an AAHA accredited animal hospital, Veterinary Associates of Cape Cod has a specific vaccination protocol to follow. After assessment, our veterinarians will discuss with you a vaccination plan that is customized to your pet. There are many factors in this plan such as lifestyle,  risk level, breed and age. Our goal is to best protect your companion animal from disease while also limiting the frequency with which vaccinations are administered.
Below is a chart showing which vaccines that are considered essential for most pets, and which vaccines are optional based on your pet’s lifestyle and environment:

Dogs	Cats
Essential Vaccinations
DHPP, Rabies	FVRCP. Rabies
For Selected Dogs	For Selected Cats
Lyme disease, Leptospirosis, Kennel cough (bordetella), Canine influenza	Feline leukemia virus

For dogs, we consider DHPP (Distemper) and Rabies to be core vaccines:

• DHPP: Puppies that start vaccination at 6-8 weeks of age should be vaccinated every 3-4 weeks, with the final dose being given between 14-16 weeks (this is called the initial series).  Their next vaccine should be given no later than 1 year after completion of the initial series.  All DHPP vaccines after that can be given at intervals of 3 years or longer.   Dogs that start vaccination at older than 16 weeks should receive 1 dose, then vaccinated every 3 years or longer.
• Rabies: One vaccine given no earlier then 12 weeks of age, followed by another vaccine 9 to no later than 12 months after (this is called the initial series).  Rabies vaccines should then be given every 3 years, as required by Massachusetts State Law.

Optional vaccines for dogs, which are given annually after completing the initial series:

• Lyme: Dogs at least 12 weeks of age can receive the first dose of the initial series, followed by the second dose 2-4 weeks later, then boostered annually.
• Lepto: Dogs at least 12 weeks of age can receive the first dose of the initial series, followed by the second dose 2-4 weeks later, then boostered annually.
• Bordetella (Kennel cough): Dogs are given one dose by mouth or by nose as early as 4 weeks of age. That id followd by an injection booster in 2-4 weeks, and then boostered annually.
• Influenza: Dogs at least 6 weeks of age can receive the first dose of the initial series, followed by a second dose 2-4 weeks later, then boostered annually.

For cats, we consider FVRCP (Feline distemper) and Rabies to be core vaccines:

• FVRCP: Kittens that start vaccination at 6-8 weeks of age should be vaccinated every 3-4 weeks, with the final dose being given between 16-20 weeks (the initial series).  Their next vaccination should be given no later than 1 year after completion of the initial series.  All FVRCP vaccines after that can be given at intervals of 3 years or longer.  Cats that start vaccination at older than 16 weeks should receive 2 doses 3-4 weeks apart as the initial series, then follow the recommended schedule above.
• Rabies: One vaccination given no earlier than 12 weeks of age. Afterwards, rabies vaccines should be given annually or every 3 years, as labeled by the vaccine manufacturer and as required by Massachusetts State Law.

An optional vaccine for cats is Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), which is given annually after completing the initial series:

• FeLV: Cats at least 8 weeks of age should receive 2 doses 3-4 weeks apart as their initial series. 

Please keep in mind that this is just a general overview of our vaccination protocol. Between the law, the owner, the vet and the patients best interest, a personalized protocol can be discussed during an appointment.       

Second Chance

Did you know?

• Approximately 4 million pets are humanely euthanized each year.
• 25% of pets in shelters are purebreds.
• Mixed breeds are healthier.  No inbreeding means less inherited genetic disease and breed related defects.
  
   
   
• Pets are a lifelong commitment.  Be sure you are ready to be responsible for another life for the next 10-20 years.
• If you have your heart set on a specific breed, the local breed rescue organization could be a great resource for finding your new family member.  Give your favorite breed a second chance!

          TIPS TO MAKE YOUR NEW PETS TRANSITION INTO YOUR HOME EASIER.

• Have everything you need for your new pet purchased before you bring him/her home.  This includes food, beds, bowls, toys, litter boxes, etc..
• Have a quiet, contained space ready that your new pet can spend his/her first few days getting acquainted with their new surroundings.  Once they are comfortable, you can gradually let them explore other areas of your home.
• Never assume that your new pet will immediately get along with pets already in your home.  Introduce the new pet to your existing pets slowly and carefully.  Be ready to intercede if a conflict occurs. Remember to continue to give your existing pets lots of love and attention so they don’t feel like they have to fight for your affection.

  

Fun Facts About Dogs

• Dogs only sweat from the bottoms of their feet, the only way they can discharge heat is by panting.
• Dogs have about 100 different facial expressions, most of them made with the ears.
• Dogs have about 10 vocal sounds.
• Dogs do not have an appendix.
• There are more than 350 different breeds of dogs worldwide.
• Dalmatians are born spotless: at first pure white, their spots develop as they age.
• Contrary to popular belief, dogs aren’t color blind; they can see shades of blue, yellow, green and gray. The color red registers on a grayscale in a dog’s vision.
• Most domestic dogs are capable of reaching speeds up to about nineteen miles per hour when running at full speed.
• Using their swiveling ears like radar dishes, experiments have shown that dogs can locate the source of a sound in 6/100ths of a second.
• Domesticated for more than 10,000 years, the dog was one of the first animals domesticated by humans.

Fun Feline Facts

• Cats do not have sweat glands.
• A cat can jump as much as seven times its height.
• Cats have five toes on each front paw, but only four toes on each back paw.
• Cats have over one hundred vocal sounds, while dogs only have about ten.
• A pack of kittens is called a kindle, while a pack of adult cats is called a clowder.
• An adult cat can run about 12 miles per hour, and can sprint at nearly thirty miles per hour.
• A cat's tongue is scratchy because it's lined with papillae—tiny elevated backwards hooks that help to hold prey in place.
• The nose pad of each cat has ridges in a unique pattern not unlike a person's fingerprints.
• Cats' bodies are extremely flexible; the cat skeleton contains more than 230 bones (a human has about 206), and the pelvis and shoulders loosely attach to the spine. This adds to their flexibility and allows them to fit through very small spaces.
• Cats have better memories than dogs. Tests conducted by the University of Michigan concluded that while a dog's memory lasts no more than 5 minutes, a cat's can last as long as 16 hours—exceeding even that of monkeys and orangutans.

With Help From Our Wonderful Clients

Thank you for voting for us! We are honored to receive the Wicked Local 2014 Gold Readers Choice Award. We are flattered to receive this top honor as the Regional Favorite!

Must Have Animal Apps

1. BringFido



 If you are looking to have a pet friendly vacation, look no further.  With the BringFido app, you can search for hotels, dog parks, restaurants, and events that are dog friendly all around the globe.  This app is basically a virtual travel agent for your dog, making vacation planning a snap.


 2. MapMyDogWalk



  
This app uses your phone’s GPS to map out your walks.  The app will record your walk distance, speed, and duration, then save it so you can monitor your progress.



 3. Tagg-The Pet Tracker
 


GPS for your dog and cat! With this app, you can quickly locate your pet if they go missing.   This product does require the purchase of the Pet Tracker pet tracking system, and a minimal monthly fee. The system attaches to your pet’s collar and is weather resistant.


4. The Red Cross Pet First Aid App


 
This is one of the best apps for at-your-fingertips pet first aid information. This app has an A to Z listing of common pet ailments, emergency veterinary information, and a place for you to track your own pet’s personal medical history. A must have app for any pet owner!


And last but not least.......

  5. Veterinary Associates of Cape Cod App



 An App for the clients of Veterinary Associates of Cape Cod. Read our Breaking News, access our Medical Dictionary and read Pet Medical Articles. Get information and directions, make hospital, boarding or grooming appointments, contact us or visit our website.

Jenga Cat!!!

Moe is pretty popular on the internet right now but we still had to post just in case any of our fellow animals lovers are missing out. Enjoy!!!

Dog Bite Prevention

First thing first, ANY breed of dog will bite under the right circumstances! We see just as many Labrador Retrievers, Poodles, mixed breeds, and everything in between that deliver just as vicious of a bite as the common "dangerous breeds". Having said that we also see lots of the "dangerous breeds" that want nothing more than to wiggle at us and kiss us.

Some statistics:

• About 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year.
• 1 in 5 of those bitten require medical attention.
• Children and senior citizens are most likely to be bitten.
• Adult males are more likely to be bitten than adult females.
• People with dogs in the home are more likely to be bitten.  The risk increases as the number of dogs in the household increases.

How to read a dog’s body language:
Dogs don’t just bite out of the blue- they always give some warning that they are uncomfortable with their current situation.  As the human, it is our job to learn these signs, and to not engage in activity with the dog that may make it feel threatened.  Although getting in a dogs face to give it “kissies” may seem like a friendly behavior to you, many dog’s perceive this behavior as a threat to it’s wellbeing.

The best thing you can do to avoid being bitten is to learn “doggie language”.

Always use extreme caution when handling a dog that is in pain.  These dogs have no other way to tell us they hurt except to say “don’t touch me there!” with a bite.  If you must handle a painful or injured dog that is trying to bite you, a quick temporary muzzle can be made using a shoelace tied around the snout so the dog can’t open it’s mouth.  Be sure to remove the muzzle as soon as you are done handling the dog.  Dog’s cool themselves by panting and won’t be able to pant with a muzzle on, risking hyperthermia (over-heating).

Some things you can do that will help prevent a dog bite:

• Have your dog spayed or neutered.
• Never leave infants and children alone with a dog.
• Properly train your dog from the get-go to be a good canine citizen.  If your dog shows signs of aggressive or dominant behaviors, seek professional help.
• Avoid direct eye contact with dogs.
• Do not try to pet a strange dog without asking permission from the owner first.  Let the dog sniff your hand and watch for acceptance before petting the dog.  If the dog shows any of the signs of anxiety in the above diagram, slowly return your hand to your side.