FVRCP A combination vaccine commonly referred to as the “Feline Distemper” vaccine. It protects against three very serious viral diseases in cats: Panleukopenia (feline distemper) and the upper respiratory complex, Rhinotracheitis and Calicivirus. All kittens and cats should be vaccinated with FVRCP. The vaccine we use is licensed for 3 year protection, for maximum protection while minimizing the chance of vaccine reactions with yearly injections.
Wellness care
Wellness care for cats
Preventing and protecting pets from health problems is the heart of veterinary care.
Preventative care
The foundation of health care
- Comprehensive physical examinations
- Immunizations and intestinal parasite control
- Wellness services bundled into packages
Several ingredients are needed
What will help my pet live a healthier and longer life?
Prevention of disease
Vaccinations, flea protection, proper nutrition, etc.Detection of disease
Comprehensive health assessments: physical examinations, blood screenings, fecal exams, urinalysis, etc.Health care plans & therapeutics
If needed, choosing and implementing the most appropriate therapies for any medical condition(s) that are detected.Monitoring
Evaluations and diagnostic tests to evaluate progress.
Check-ups
Why regular exams matter
Why should I bring my pet in when he or she seems healthy?
People often think that the purpose of an exam or “office visit” is to receive vaccinations. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The most important reason to have your pet seen by a veterinarian is for comprehensive physical examinations and programs designed to prevent and detect disease. Prevention and early disease detection are the keys to your pet having a longer and healthier life!
How often should I bring my pet in for a check-up?
Semi-annual physical examinations are the focal point for keeping your pet on the road of good health. Regular comprehensive examinations are critical to preventing and detecting disease because:
- Our pets age 5–7 times faster than us.
- Animals by nature tend to hide illness, so it can be difficult for you to detect problems at home.
- Pets cannot always tell us when it hurts.
3–5 years
How much your pet ages in the 6 months between exams
5–7×
How much faster our pets age than we do
Vaccinations
Protection tailored to your cat
Vaccinations are designed to effectively reduce the extent and severity of infectious disease in our pets. It is recommended that vaccination protocols are selected for each individual animal based on risk of exposure, health status, age, and the individual needs and lifestyle of your pet.
Potential risks. There is always a potential risk for an adverse reaction to a vaccine. Although the risk is very low, it is still there. Possible reactions include an immediate hypersensitivity reaction, auto-immune disease from over-vaccinating and the development of vaccine associated sarcomas in cats.
Our vaccination guidelines. We tailor your pet’s vaccination program to your pet’s lifestyle to reduce the risks of both diseases and possible side effects. It is important that you understand both the benefits and risks of the vaccination program we have outlined for your pet. We are happy to discuss any questions or concerns that you may have regarding our vaccination protocol.
Cat vaccines
FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) A virus that attacks the immune system and eventually causes other disease to take over the body. A cat may be FeLV positive and show no clinical signs but continue to infect other cats. Vaccination is recommended for cats whose lifestyle puts them at risk of exposure: outdoor or indoor-outdoor cats, stray cats, open multiple cat households or cats in a FeLV positive household. All cats should have a negative FeLV blood test before vaccinating for FeLV.
Rabies Rabies vaccination is highly recommended for cats. Not only is there no cure for rabies but there is also a human health risk since humans can contract rabies from an infected animal.
We also offer Vaccination Titer Screening as an alternative to prevent over-vaccinating, and for immune compromised animals. Explore holistic care
Parasite prevention
Fleas and intestinal worms
Fleas Fleas can make your cat very uncomfortable and also allow a flea infestation into your home. Parasite prevention includes stopping a flea infestation before it starts. Flea control is also important since some fleas transmit intestinal tapeworms to your pet.
Intestinal worms Roundworms and hookworms are abundant in the environment, and pets can acquire them from infected soil or feces. They can cause vomiting, bloody diarrhea, anemia and stunted growth, and they also pose a threat to human health if your family members are exposed to the worm eggs. Prevention is much easier and safer than treatment after the problem has developed.
Every 6 months
A fecal examination to check for intestinal parasites
Recommended by Countrycare and the Centers for Disease Control. A fecal flotation can also detect other types of parasites, which should be addressed accordingly.
Aging
Extra care for the senior years
As animals move through life, they go through many of the same aging processes that humans do. Their hair may turn gray, their body seems to wear out and their senses dim. Diseases that are commonly known to afflict humans also affect our pets: kidney, heart, and liver disease, tumors, cancer, diabetes, depression, “Alzheimer’s”, etc.
We need to consider what is a typical lifespan for a pet and realize that they age much quicker than humans do. Different breeds and lifestyles can also affect the aging process. The old saying was seven dog years for every “human” year; the age conversion chart is a more accurate comparison of your pet’s age in “human years”.
Aging is not a disease, but rather a manifestation of the body’s diminished repair response. In animals, “old age” is generally referred to as the last 25% of their lifespan, and it is affected by genetics, nutrition and environment. While cats begin to undergo aging changes starting at about age 5–7 years, different pets show the signs of growing “old” at different rates. The best time to recognize your pet’s “senior” status and need for extra TLC is long before advanced problems are apparent.
To increase the length and quality of your pet’s life, it is important to realize the speed of the aging process and take preventative steps to manage risk factors related to your pet’s health.
Important steps
- Have regular wellness check-ups by your veterinarian. Every 3–6 months is appropriate for seniors.
- If you only have your pet examined once every calendar year, your pet has actually aged 4–8 years!
- The correct nutrition and supplements are especially important as the body ages and cannot assimilate nutrients as well as when younger.
- Exercise keeps their bodies from deteriorating physically. Use common sense for the appropriate type and amount.
- Watch for any (even subtle) physical or behavioral changes so that they can be addressed as soon as possible.
From our blog
Reading for healthy cats
Vaccines for Dogs and Cats: What Every Pet Owner Should Understand Most of us know what vaccines are. We’ve had them. Our kids have had them. But what do vaccines actually do? Read more 
Feline Heartworm Disease Many people have heard about heartworm disease, heartworm testing, and heartworm prevention for dogs, but how come no one discusses heartworm disease… Read more 
Hyperthyroid Disease in Cats Is it normal for your pet to lose weight as he gets older? Is it typical for a pet to become more vocal or needier as she ages? Do pets eat more as… Read more In their words
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