At our La Mesa vet clinic, we know that preventive medicine is the best medicine. We protect the pets of San Diego County from serious diseases and disorders with routine pet vaccinations and parasite prevention.

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Cat & Dog Vaccinations & Parasite Prevention in La Mesa

At Rancho Village Veterinary Hospital, we focus on pet preventive care to keep common diseases and disorders from developing in the first place.

Combined with regular wellness exams, pet vaccinations, and parasite prevention form the foundation of your animal's routine healthcare. 

We collaborate with pet owners to tailor the best preventive care plan for their dog or cat's needs.

Dog Vaccinations & Parasite Prevention Services in La Mesa

Pet Vaccinations & Reproductive Surgery For Puppies and Kittens

The first year of a dog or cat's life is critical for establishing a solid base of veterinary care. Our La Mesa vets encourage you to schedule reproductive surgery around your new pet's vaccinations; getting fixed not only prevents unwanted litters, it can also prevent unwanted howling, scooting, roaming, and aggression. Having your pet spayed or neutered has also been shown to reduce your pet's risk of developing cancer later in life. We've included a sample schedule for needed vaccines and reproductive surgery below.

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
    • 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
    • Leptospirosis
  • 14 to 16 Weeks
      • Booster: DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
      • Rabies
      • Booster: Bordetella 
      • Booster: Leptospirosis

    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
    • Final Booster: Leptospirosis

Parasite Prevention at Rancho Village Veterinary Hospital

Parasites pose a serious health threat to people and animals in La Mesa and beyond into the rest of San Diego county. Left untreated, parasites can threaten the life of your cat or dog, and in some cases can even be transmitted to other people 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 a number of serious conditions in people and pets. 

Ear Mites

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

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 necessary to stay healthy.

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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