Protection & Prevention
Preventive care is a big focus for the vets at Greenbrier-Springfield Animal Hospital as it's known to help stop common diseases and disorders from developing.
Combined with regular wellness exams, pet vaccinations and parasite prevention form the foundation of your animal's routine healthcare.
Because preventive care gives your pet the best chance at a long, healthy life, our team will work with you to create a plan tailored to your pet's unique needs.
Vaccination & Reproductive Surgery Schedule
Current dog and cat vaccinations are essential when it comes to protecting your furry friend from a range of contagious, often serious, diseases. Having your pet spayed or neutered not only prevents the birth of unwanted litters, but these common veterinary surgeries can also help to protect your pet against some serious forms of cancer. They also can help prevent unwanted behaviors, like howling, roaming, scooting and animal aggression.
Cat Vaccinations in Springfield
In their first year of life, kittens should get 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
- Booster: Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia, Chlamydia
- Feline Leukemia 2
- Rabies
- 5 to 6 months
Spaying, neutering and microchipping help protect your cat from a number of health issues; therefore, they fall under the umbrella of preventive healthcare.
- Spay (females): Spaying your female cat prevents the birth of unwanted kittens, protects your cat against serious illnesses and can help to prevent behaviors 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), howling, roaming and cat aggression.
- Microchipping: A microchip is a permanent form of identification that is about the size of a grain of rice. It is placed under your pet’s skin and allows them to be reunited with owners in the event that they get lost.
Dog Vaccinations in Springfield
Puppies require the following injections throughout their first year of life to protect them from illnesses:
- 6 to 8 weeks
- Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus (DHPP)
- 10 to 12 weeks
- Booster: DHPP
- Bordetella (Optional)
- Leptospirosis (Optional)
- 14 to 16 weeks
- Booster: DHPP
- Rabies
- Booster: Bordetella (Optional)
- Booster: Leptospirosis (Optional)
Spaying, neutering, and microchipping help protect your dog from several health issues and should be considered a part of preventive healthcare.
- 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 prevent your male dog from fathering unwanted puppies and protect your dog from a number of serious cancers, and helping to reduce the risk of roaming and aggression.
- Microchipping: About the size of a grain of rice and placed under your pet’s skin, a microchip helps owners easily locate their pets if they ever get lost.
- 12 to 16 months
- Final Booster: DHPP
- Rabies
- Final Booster: Bordetella (Optional)
- Final Booster: Leptospirosis (Optional)
Parasite Prevention
Parasites pose a serious health threat to people and animals in the Springfield 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
These external parasites 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 known spreaders of serious illnesses in both people and pets.
Ear Mites
Tiny and highly contagious, ear mites are parasites that live in the ear canals of mammals. They reproduce continuously throughout their lifespan.
Heartworm
Spread through mosquito bites, this thread-like parasitic roundworm makes its home in the heart, lungs and blood vessels of infected animals.
Hookworm
Living in the digestive tract of cats and dogs, these parasites feed on the animal's blood, which can lead to anemia and other serious conditions.
Roundworm
Because it feeds on partially digested intestinal contents, this parasitic worm lives in the intestine and can rob your pet of nutrients.
Tapeworm
Tapeworms are spread through the ingestion of infected fleas during grooming, and they live and grow in your pet's intestines.
Whipworm
Whipworms are spread via ingesting soil that has been in contact with an infected dog's feces and pose a serious health risk to dogs.
New Patients Welcome
Greenbrier-Springfield Animal Hospital is accepting new patients! Our experienced vets are passionate about the health of Springfield companion animals. Get in touch today to book your pet's first appointment.