Veterinary Clinic & Pet Health Information
Since our beginning, the veterinarians and team at Brentwood Animal Campus in Franklin, WI have provided comprehensive care for dogs, cats, and small animals. We are committed to being your family’s home for pet health care. Our team includes experienced veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and a dedicated support staff. We have all the tools and experience to help your pet achieve and maintain their best health. Here at Brentwood Animal Campus, we are committed to patient compassion, professionalism, and family values. These factors drive our practice, and we are eager to do what it takes to earn your family’s trust.Professional Veterinary Services in Franklin, WI
Dog Vaccinations
Rabies is a serious viral disease seen in mammals that adversely affects the central nervous system, leading to death. Rabies is a zoonotic (an infectious disease that is transmitted between species) that is typically transmitted through bites from infected animals. The majority of reported cases involve wild animals, but domesticated animals like dogs and cats are also at risk. Humans are equally susceptible to the rabies virus if bitten by an infected animal. Once the symptoms appear, Rabies is nearly always fatal. Death usually occurs less than one week after the onset of symptoms. The Rabies vaccine is required by state law. Rabies should be given at 14-16 weeks, boostered in 1 year and then every 1 to 3 years.
DA2PP is the acronym for the standard vaccine, also called “the distemper vaccine”. This is given to dogs and puppies through their lives and plays an important role in their preventive health program. It is considered to be a core or very important vaccine.
Distemper
This is a very contagious and often fatal disease of the gastrointestinal tract, nervous system, and respiratory tract. It is transmitted by movement of airborne secretions and by direct contact with bodily secretions. The most susceptible to this disease are puppies, but dogs of all ages are at risk — especially is they have not received adequate vaccinations.
Canine Adenovirus Type 2
This is associated with Canine infectious hepatitis and is one of the causes of infectious tracheobronchitis. It is spread through respiratory secretions, urine, and feces. The most susceptible are young dogs.
Parainfluenza
This is a highly contagious and common cause of infectious tracheobronchitis. It is transmitted by airborne secretions. While dogs of all ages are susceptible, unvaccinated or inadequately vaccinated dogs are at the highest risk.
Parvovirus
This is a very aggressive, highly contagious, and sometimes rapidly fatal gastrointestinal virus. It is transmitted by direct contact with infected animals, objects containing virus particles, and feces. This virus can survive in the environment for a very long time and spreads easily from contaminated surfaces. All unvaccinated or inadequately vaccinated dogs are susceptible, while very young, sick or weak dogs at highest risk of death.
This is a serious disease that affects dogs, but can also affect humans. It is usually spread through infected urine, but the infection can also be transmitted via contaminated water or soil. Raccoons, opossums, rodents, dogs, and skunks are the common carriers of the organism. It advances rapidly through the bloodstream, which leads to fever, general malaise, and joint pain. When the organism settles in the kidneys, it actually reproduces there, which can cause inflammation and even kidney failure. Liver failure is also a potential complication from this disease.
This is one of the causes of canine upper respiratory disease, tracheobronchitis or “kennel cough”. It is a bacterial infection affecting the respiratory system of dogs. Bordetella is characterized by severe coughing and gagging. It is highly contagious and contracted by airborne exposure. Most cases of this disease materialize after contact with other dogs in grooming facilities, kennels, or other places where dogs congregate. In some cases, the dog may develop pneumonia and become ill enough to need hospitalization.
Lyme disease can affect both dogs and humans. It is one of the most common tick-borne illnesses in the world, and is caused by bacteria. Common signs of this disease in dogs are recurrent lameness due to joint inflammation. The dog may also experience a lack of appetite and depression. The more serious complications from Lyme include kidney damage, and although rarely, heart disease and/or nervous system disease.
Cat Vaccinations
Rabies is a serious viral disease which affects the central nervous system. It is zoonotic, meaning it can be transmitted between species. It is typically transmitted through bites from infected animals. While the majority of cases involve wild animals, dogs and cats are also at risk. Humans are also at risk if they are bitten by an infected animal. Rabies is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear, and death occurs usually less than one week after the onset of symptoms. Rabies vaccines are required by law and should be given at 14-16 weeks, boostered at 1 year, and then every year of your pet’s life.
FVRCP is an acronym for the standard cat vaccine, also called “the feline distemper vaccine,” given to cats and kittens throughout their lives as part of a preventative health program and considered, along with the Rabies vaccine, as a Core (very important) vaccine.
Rhinotracheitis
This viral infection affects the respiratory system and is caused by feline herpesvirus type 1. This often results in chronic, lifelong recurrences of respiratory disease and sometimes eye disease. This is spread through airborne secretions and through direct contact with a carrier cat or contaminated object. The most susceptible are unvaccinated cats, the very young, and the very old.
Calicivirus
This viral infectious respiratory disease can cause mouth sores which result in severe oral pain for your cat. It is spread through direct contact with an infected cat or by contact with a contaminated object. It is very resistant to disinfectants and can persist in the environment. Inadequately vaccinated or unvaccinated cats of all ages are at risk for this disease.
Panleukopenia
This disease is severe, highly contagious, sometimes fatal, and affects the immune system gastrointestinal tract and nervous system. It is named for the common characteristic of a severe decrease in white blood cells, which serves as the body’s defense against disease. It is very persistent in the environment, and spreads through direct contact with viral particles in the environment or infected cats. Inadequately vaccinated or unvaccinated cats of all ages are at risk for this disease.
This retrovirus is a very serious disease of the feline world. It is spread from cat to cat by respiratory secretions, urine, and saliva. Cats who share litter pans, feeding bowls, and cats that fight are at risk. If a kitten is born to a mother with this disease, they may also be infected. In most cases, cats that get exposed to this disease are able to develop antibodies and fight it off. This is especially true for cats that are fed a good diet, are parasite-free, and are current on their routine vaccinations. Cats that have minimal exposure to other cats are at significantly less risk of getting this disease. This disease causes a form of cancer of the blood cells lymphocytes — a form of leukemia.
Heartworm Disease
This is a type of parasite that is spreads from one host to another through mosquito bites. It is caused by small thread-like worm which causes filariasis. These types of worms are typically about a foot long. Dogs are the most affected by this, but is can also infect cats, foxes, coyotes, wolves, and in very rare circumstances, humans. The worms harm arteries and vital organs as they travel through the bloodstream, until they reach their destination of the vessels in the heart and lungs. The worms complete their journey about six months after the initial infection. One dog may be infected with several hundred worms for five to seven years. This is a serious disease and can be fatal. The symptoms of this disease include coughing, labored breathing, vomiting, weight loss and listlessness, and fatigue from moderate exercise. In some cases, a dog will exhibit no signs at all until the late stages of the infection. For more information, please visit the American Heartworm Society website.Parasites
Fleas, ticks, heartworms may not be on your radar, but they most certainly may be on or in your pet. You may not always be able to tell if your pet has parasites. Fleas can live under your pet’s fur, and some ticks are very tiny (only the size of a pinhead), so they are very difficult to locate. Parasites can cause serious illness and even death in pets. For example, ticks can transmit infections like Lyme disease, fleas can transmit tapeworms and heartworm is transmitted by mosquitoes. We can examine your pet for evidence of fleas, ticks or other parasites. There are also tests we can recommend to determine if your pet has parasites. Fortunately, there are preventative medications to help control fleas, ticks, heartworms and internal parasites. Preventing parasite infestation in your pet will also protect your other family members. Parasites can be transmitted to humans in many different ways. When people become infected with parasites, this is called a zoonotic infection and can lead to some very serious conditions. In people, these infections are usually the result of contact with areas contaminated by animal fecal matter. Don’t panic—simply follow these effective measures for prevention of parasite infestations in young pets:- Ask your veterinarian to do a fecal analysis on any new pet and de-worm regularly.
- De-worm all pets annually, or more often if environmental factors indicate need.
- Use good hygiene, such as washing hands after playing with pets or coming in from outside, and wearing shoes outdoors.