Pet Vaccinations & Parasite Prevention
Our veterinarians in Montecito can help you protect your cat or dog from many serious diseases and disorders with routine pet vaccinations and parasite prevention.
Protection & Prevention
With preventive care, we can keep common diseases and disorders from developing in the first place. Our veterinarians at Montecito Pet Hospital can evaluate your pet's lifestyle to help you make the best vaccine decisions that are in your pet's interests.
Combined with regularly scheduled routine exams, pet vaccinations and parasite prevention form the foundation of your animal's healthcare regimen.
Diligent preventive care offers your pet the best chance at a long, healthy life. Our team can work with you to create a custom preventive care plan for your cat or dog, geared to their unique needs.
Pet Vaccinations & Reproductive Surgery Schedule
When it comes to protecting your four-legged family member from a range of contagious, often serious diseases, current dog and cat vaccinations are a critical tool in our arsenal. We can prevent the birth of unwanted litters and protect your pet against some serious forms of cancer by spaying or neutering them. This may also help avoid unwanted behaviors such as roaming, howling, animal aggression and scooting.
Cat Vaccinations
In their first year of life, your kitten needs these shots to protect them 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
While these are not kitten vaccinations, you can take preventive care measures including spaying, neutering and microchipping to protect your cat from numerous health issues.
- Spay (females) - Spaying your female cat prevents the birth of unwanted litters of kittens, protects your cat against serious illnesses, and can help to prevent behaviors such as howling and scooting that accompany heat cycles.
- Neuter (males) - Neutering your male cat prevents your pet from fathering unwanted kittens, protects your cat against various illnesses, and can help to prevent territory marking (spraying), roaming, howling, and cat aggression.
- Microchipping - A microchip is a permanent form of identification that is about the size of a grain of rice and placed under your pet’s skin. Pets that are microchipped have a better chance of being reunited with their owners if they are lost.
Dog Vaccinations
In their first year, your puppy needs these shots to protect them from dangerous diseases.
- 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)
Though the items below are not puppy vaccinations, spaying, neutering and microchipping help protect your dog from several health issues. Therefore, they fall under preventive healthcare.
- Spay (female) - Dog spaying will prevent your female dog from mothering puppies, but it can also help to prevent certain cancers and regular heat cycles which can attract roaming males to your property.
- Neuter (male) - Dog neutering can help to prevent your male dog from fathering unwanted puppies, as well as protecting your dog from a number of serious cancers, and helping to reduce the risk of roaming and dog aggression.
- Microchipping - A microchip is a permanent form of identification that is about the size of a grain of rice and placed under your pet’s skin. Pets that are microchipped have a better chance of being reunited with their owners if they are lost.
- 12 to 16 Months
- Final Booster: DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
- Rabies
- Final Booster: Bordetella (Optional)
- Final Booster: Leptospirosis (Optional)
Parasite Prevention
Parasites threaten the health of both people and animals across Montecito. Left untreated, they can even threaten your cat or dog's life, and in some cases be transmitted to other people or pets living in your house. With our parasite prevention products, you can help protect your dog or cat from these common parasites:
Fleas
These external parasites feed on the blood of mammals and birds. Fleas cause itchy, irritating bites and potential allergic reactions. They can quickly spread through the house.
Ticks
Ticks feed on the blood of mammals and are responsible for spreading many serious conditions in people and pets. These parasitic arachnids are an increasing menace.
Ear Mites
While ear mites are tiny, they are highly contagious and live in the ear canals of cats, dogs and other mammals. They keep reproducing throughout their lifespan.
Heartworm
This parasitic roundworm has a thread-like appearance and spreads through mosquito bites. It lives in the lungs, blood vessels and heart of infected animals.
Hookworm
Hookworms feed on your pet's blood and reside in the digestive tract of cats and dogs. This parasite can lead to anemia and other serious conditions if left untreated.
Roundworm
From its home in the intestine, this parasitic worm feeds on partly digested food. Roundworms rob your pet of vital nutrients they need to remain healthy.
Tapeworm
Tapeworms are hook-like parasitic worms that live and grow in your pet's intestines. They spread when your pet ingests infected fleas while grooming.
Whipworm
Whipworms spread when your pet ingests soil that has been in contact with an infected dog's feces. This parasite poses a serious health risk to dogs.