Protection & Prevention in Poway
At Best Friends Veterinary Hospital, we emphasize preventive care in order to avert the development of common diseases and disorders.
Combined with regular wellness exams, dog & cat vaccinations and parasite prevention form the foundation of your animal's routine healthcare.
Preventive care provides the best chance for your pet to live a long, healthy life. Our team will collaborate with you to develop a customized preventive care plan for your cat or dog that is specific to their needs.
Cat & Dog Vaccination & Reproductive Surgery Schedule
Current dog and cat vaccinations are critical for protecting your pet from a variety of contagious, and frequently fatal, diseases. Spaying or neutering your pet not only prevents unwanted litters; these common veterinary procedures may also help protect your pet from certain serious forms of cancer. They may be effective at preventing undesirable behaviors such as howling, scooting, roaming, and animal aggression.
Cat Vaccinations in Poway
In their first year of life, kittens need the following shots 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 the following are not kitten vaccinations, spaying, neutering, and microchipping help protect your cat from several health issues, and therefore fall under the preventive health care umbrella.
- Spaying & Neutering - Spaying (females) and neutering (males) prevents the birth of unwanted litters of kittens, protects your cat against various illnesses, and can help to prevent behavioral issues.
Learn More - 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.
- Spaying & Neutering - Spaying (females) and neutering (males) prevents the birth of unwanted litters of kittens, protects your cat against various illnesses, and can help to prevent behavioral issues.
Dog Vaccinations in Poway
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 several health issues, and therefore fall under the preventive health care umbrella.
- Spaying & Neutering - Spaying (females) and neutering (males) prevents the birth of unwanted litters of puppies, protects your dog against various illnesses, and can help to prevent behavioral issues.
Learn More - 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)
Save $90+ With Our Puppy & Kitten Vaccination Packages
We offer puppy and kitten packages, to help you save money on your playful new friend's core vaccination. You'll also receive how-to guides on a variety of topics like potty training, socializing, and more.
Parasite Prevention
Parasites pose a serious health threat to people and animals in the Poway area. Left untreated, parasites can threaten the life of your cat or dog, and in some cases can even be transmitted to other people or 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 several 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.