Vaccines, Parasite Prevention & Environmental Health

Rabies vaccination is required by Washington State law for dogs. Rabies is a fatal disease that can affect both animals and people, making vaccination an important part of both pet and public health.

This core vaccine helps protect dogs against several serious and highly contagious diseases, including:

• Distemper
• Parvovirus
• Adenovirus (hepatitis)
• Parainfluenza

These illnesses can spread through contact with infected dogs or contaminated environments and can be especially dangerous for puppies.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease spread through the urine of infected wildlife and through contaminated water or muddy environments. It can affect both pets and people and may cause serious kidney or liver disease.

This vaccine is commonly recommended for:

• Outdoor and hiking dogs
• Farm and ranch dogs
• Dogs exposed to standing water or wildlife

Bordetella helps protect against a highly contagious respiratory infection commonly spread in places where dogs gather, such as:

• Boarding facilities
• Groomers
• Dog parks
• Daycare
• Training classes

This vaccine is often recommended for social or frequently exposed dogs.

Canine influenza (“dog flu”) is a contagious respiratory virus that spreads between dogs in social settings or boarding environments.

This vaccine may be recommended for:

• Boarding or daycare dogs
• Dogs attending grooming or training facilities
• Social or frequently traveling dogs

Rabies vaccination is required by Washington State law for cats as well. Even indoor cats may be at risk if wildlife enters the home or a pet accidentally escapes outside.

This core feline vaccine protects against several common and contagious feline diseases, including:

• Feline viral rhinotracheitis (herpesvirus)
• Calicivirus
• Panleukopenia (“feline distemper”)

These viruses can spread through direct contact, shared environments, or contaminated objects and can be especially serious in kittens.

FeLV is a contagious virus that weakens a cat’s immune system and may increase the risk of illness, infection, and certain cancers.

This vaccine is commonly recommended for:

• Outdoor cats
• Cats who may interact with unknown cats
• Kittens and young cats with future outdoor exposure risk

Our team tailors vaccine recommendations based on your cat’s lifestyle, environment, and individual risk factors.

Fleas can cause itching, skin irritation, allergies, and the transmission of tapeworms. Even indoor pets can become exposed.

Ticks can spread diseases and are commonly found in grassy, wooded, and outdoor areas throughout the region.

Heartworm disease is spread through mosquito bites and can affect both dogs and cats, including indoor pets.

In Dogs
Heartworms live in the heart and lungs, where they can cause:

• Coughing
• Fatigue or exercise intolerance
• Breathing difficulties
• Heart and lung damage
• Life-threatening complications over time

Treatment for heartworm disease in dogs can be lengthy, expensive, and physically difficult on the body, which is why prevention is so important.

In Cats
Cats are not natural hosts for heartworms, but even a small number of worms can cause serious inflammation and respiratory disease.

Heartworm disease in cats may lead to:

• Coughing or asthma-like symptoms
• Vomiting
• Difficulty breathing
• Sudden collapse
• In some cases, sudden death

Unlike dogs, there is no approved treatment to eliminate heartworms in cats once infected, making prevention especially important for feline patients.

Roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and other intestinal parasites can affect pets of all ages and may spread through soil, wildlife exposure, or contaminated environments.

Pets at Higher Risk May Include:

• Farm and ranch dogs
• Hiking and outdoor pets
• Hunting dogs
• Frequently traveling pets
• Outdoor cats
• Pets exposed to wildlife or standing water

Because many parasites are difficult to detect early, year-round prevention is often the safest and most effective approach.