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Pet Vaccinations & Parasite Prevention

Our Riverside veterinarians prioritize preventative care. It's important to protect your dog or cat with up-to-date vaccinations and anti-parasite medications.

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Protect & Prevent

Riverside Animal Hospital puts our efforts not just into treating sick and injured pets, but into preventing common diseases and disorders from developing.

Through regular wellness exams, pet vaccinations, and parasite prevention our Riverside vets create a potent shield against malady.

Our vets work with pet owners to develop custom healthcare plans for each patient's individual needs.

Vaccinations & Parasite Prevention Services, Riverside

Vaccination & Reproductive Surgery Schedule

As responsible pet owners, it is important to ensure your pet is spayed or neutered to prevent the birth of unwanted litters; these common veterinary surgeries have additional benefits as well, reproductive surgery in dogs and cats has been shown to help protect your pet against serious forms of cancer and curb unwanted behaviors such as howling, scooting, roaming, and aggression.  Here is a typical vaccination schedule:

Cat Vaccinations

In their first year of life, kittens need the following 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
    • Rabies
    • Booster: Rhinotracheitis, Calcivirus, Panleukopenia, Chlamydia
    • Feline Leukemia 2
  • 5 to 6 months

    While the following are not kitten vaccinations, spaying, neutering and microchipping help protect your cat from a number of health issues, and therefore fall under the preventive health care umbrella. 

    • 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, puppies need 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)

    Although the following are not puppy vaccinations, spaying, neutering, and microchipping help protect your dog from a number of health issues, and therefore fall under the preventive health care umbrella. 

    • 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)

Stopping Parasites

Parasites pose a serious health threat to people and animals in the Riverside area. Left untreated, parasites can threaten the life of your cat or dog, and in some cases can even be transmitted to people or other pets living in your household. Our parasite prevention products can help protect your dog or cat from the following common parasites:

Fleas

Fleas are external parasites that feed on the blood of birds and mammals. Left untreated, fleas can quickly spread throughout your household.

Ticks

These external parasites consume the blood of mammals and are responsible for the spread of numerous serious conditions. 

Ear Mites

Tiny, highly contagious ear mites reside in the ear canals of dogs, cats and other mammals. These parasites reproduce continuously. 

Heartworm

This thread-like parasitic roundworm is spread through mosquito bites and makes its home in the heart, lungs and blood vessels of infected animals.

Hookworm

These parasites live in the digestive tract of cats and dogs where they feed on the pet's blood. Hookworms can lead to anemia and other serious conditions.

Roundworm

This parasitic worm lives in the intestine and feeds on partially digested intestinal contents. This parasite can rob your pet of vital nutrients needed for health.

Tapeworm

Tapeworms are spread through the ingestion of infected fleas during grooming. These hook-like parasitic worms live and grow in your pet's intestines.

Whipworm

Whipworms are spread through the ingestion of soil that has been in contact with an infected dog's feces. Whipworms pose a serious health risk to dogs.

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New Patients Welcome

Riverside Animal Hospital is accepting new patients! Our experienced vets are passionate about the health of Riverside companion animals. Get in touch today to book your pet's first appointment.

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Book Online Call (951) 683-4200