Protection & Prevention
At The Beacon Veterinary Associates, we emphasize preventive care to keep common diseases and disorders from developing in the first place.
Puppy and kitten shots, combined with regular wellness exams, and parasite prevention, form the foundation of your animal's routine healthcare.
Our team is here to help your pet live the best life possible. We create customized preventive care plans that will make sure you never have an issue or question about what's needed for their unique needs.
Pet Vaccinations & Reproductive Surgery Schedule
Current kitten and puppy shots are essential when it comes to protecting your furry friend from a range of contagious, often serious, diseases. Spaying or neutering your pet not only prevents the birth of unwanted litters, but these common veterinary procedures can also help to protect your pet from some serious forms of cancer. They have the potential to prevent undesirable behaviors such as howling, scooting, roaming, and aggression.
Kitten Vaccinations
Kittens require the following vaccinations during their first year of life to protect them from serious diseases.
- 6 to 8 weeks
- Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia, Chlamydia
- 10 to 12 weeks
- Booster: Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia, Chlamydia
- Feline Leukemia
- 14 to 16 weeks
- Rabies
- Booster: Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia, Chlamydia
- Feline Leukemia 2
- 5 to 6 months
While not vaccinations, spaying, neutering, and microchipping help protect your cat from a variety of health issues and thus fall under the category of preventive health care.
- Spay (females) - Spaying your female cat prevents the birth of unwanted litters of kittens, protects your cat from serious illnesses, and can help to prevent heat-related behaviors such as howling and scooting.
- Neuter (males) - Neutering your male cat prevents him from fathering unwanted kittens, protects him from various illnesses, and can aid in the prevention of territory marking (spraying), roaming, howling, and aggression.
- Microchipping - A microchip is a permanent form of identification, about the size of a grain of rice, that is implanted beneath the skin of your cat. Pets with microchips have a better chance of being reunited with their owners if they become separated.
Puppy Vaccinations
Puppies require the following vaccinations during their first year of life to protect them from serious 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)
While not vaccinations, spaying, neutering, and microchipping help protect your dog from a variety of health issues and thus fall under the category of preventive health care.
- Spay (female) - Spaying your female dog will prevent her from having puppies, but it will also help to prevent certain cancers and regular heat cycles, which can attract roaming males.
- Neuter (male) - Neutering your male dog prevents him from fathering unwanted puppies, protects him from various illnesses, and can aid in the prevention of territory marking (spraying), roaming, howling, and aggression.
- Microchipping - A microchip is a permanent form of identification, about the size of a grain of rice, that is implanted beneath the skin of your dog. Pets with microchips have a better chance of being reunited with their owners if they become separated.
- 12 to 16 months
- Final Booster: DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
- Rabies
- Final Booster: Bordetella (Optional)
- Final Booster: Leptospirosis (Optional)
Parasite Prevention
Parasites pose a serious health threat to people and animals in the Beacon area. Parasites, if left untreated, can endanger the life of your cat or dog and, in some cases, can be transmitted to other people or pets in your home. Our parasite prevention products can protect your dog or cat against the following common parasites:
Fleas
Fleas are parasitic insects that feed on the blood of birds and mammals. Fleas can quickly spread throughout your home if left untreated.
Ticks
These external parasites feed on mammalian blood and are responsible for the spread of a number of serious diseases in humans and pets.
Ear Mites
Ear mites are contagious parasites that live in the ear canals of dogs, cats, and other mammals. They reproduce continuously through their lives.
Heartworm
This thread-like parasitic roundworm is spread by mosquito bites and lives in infected animals' hearts, lungs, and blood vessels.
Hookworm
These parasites live in the digestive tracts of cats and dogs, feeding on their blood. Hookworms can cause serious health issues like anemia.
Roundworm
This parasitic worm lives in the intestine and feeds on partially digested feces. This parasite can deplete your pet's vital nutrients, causing him or her to become ill.
Tapeworm
Tapeworms spread by ingesting infected fleas while grooming. These hook-like parasitic worms live and grow in the intestines of your pet.
Whipworm
Whipworms are spread by ingesting soil that has come into contact with the feces of an infected dog. Whipworms are dangerous to dogs' health.
