Yes, cats need boosters. The common kittenhood series begins when a cat is 6 to 8 weeks old, with boosters given every 3 to 4 weeks until they are 16 to 20 weeks old. After that, a one-year booster is given, followed by boosters every three years throughout their adult life.

Yes, it is safe to get multiple cat vaccinations at the same time. It's not uncommon for a cat or a kitten to receive multiple vaccines during a single visit to the pet hospital. However, the number of required vaccines and any concerns from the pet owner or veterinarian may lead to staging the vaccines and spreading them out more.

Yes, healthy cats should still be vaccinated. Vaccines are safe and effective in preventing serious diseases that cats can contract. In Middle Tennessee, where rabies is still present in the community, it is especially important to protect both your cat and the community by keeping your cat vaccinated according to its lifestyle and age. If you have specific questions about your cat's vaccinations, reach out to your veterinarian or consider visiting Blue Oasis Pet Hospital if you are in the Mount Juliet, Tennessee area.

The only core cat vaccination that is required by law is the rabies vaccine. Upper respiratory or FVRCP vaccines, which protect against pathogens like rhinotracheitis, calice, and panleukopenia, are not legally mandatory but are still considered core vaccinations. These diseases can cause upper respiratory infections, ocular issues, diarrhea, and oral ulcers, so it is important to discuss your cat's lifestyle with your veterinarian and follow their recommendations for vaccinations.

Yes, the vaccinations that we recommend for cats or kittens are necessary. These include FVRCP, rabies, and leukemia for kittens. As a kitten grows into an adult cat, the vaccine recommendations may change depending on the cat's lifestyle. However, we do vaccinate all cats for these common diseases.

Age is not a disease, but diseases can come with age. For older dogs, it's essential to ensure their heart, kidney, and liver functions are in good shape before dental cleaning. Veterinarians will run an ECG and check laboratory work (usually within three months) to ensure the safety of the procedure. If the dog's organs are functioning properly, age should not be a problem for dental cleanings.

It's not always possible to know if a dog will have a reaction to anesthesia. If your dog has had a reaction before, it's important to inform your veterinarian. Anesthesia is generally safe, but it's essential to monitor the dog closely for any complications. Veterinarians usually have medical consents and encourage pet owners to ask questions and address any concerns before the procedure begins.

Yes, it's true, but anesthesia-free dental cleanings are not recommended by the American Veterinary Dental Academy or the AHA. Anesthesia-free procedures can be risky as there's nothing protecting the dog's airway from water used during the cleaning process. Moreover, it's not possible to perform thorough dental care, such as addressing advanced periodontal disease or extracting teeth, without general anesthesia.

In a dental cleaning procedure, the dog is given premedication and an IV catheter is placed. The dog is then gently placed under anesthesia and a tracheal tube is inserted. The dog is started on gas anesthesia (isoflurane and oxygen) and positioned for the dental procedure. Electronic monitoring devices such as ECG, pulse oximetry, blood pressure cuff, and a temperature probe are used. Additionally, a nurse anesthetist watches over the dog. External heat support with blankets is provided to keep the dog comfortable during the procedure.

Your dog needs anesthesia for proper teeth cleaning and assessment because dogs will not hold still while the procedure is being done. Anesthesia protects your dog's airway from water used during the cleaning process. If water enters the lungs, it can cause aspiration pneumonia. Anesthesia also allows the veterinarian to take dental x-rays, clean the surface of the teeth, and probe and clean under the gum line safely.