Our Columbia veterinarians can help you protect your cat or dog from a wide range of serious diseases and disorders with routine pet vaccinations and parasite prevention.

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Pet Protection & Parasite Prevention in Columbia

We focus on preventive care at Maury County Veterinary Hospital to keep common diseases and disorders from developing in the first place.

Combined with regular wellness exams, pet vaccinations & parasite prevention form the foundation of your animal's routine healthcare. 

Preventive care ensures that your pet lives a long and healthy life. Our team will collaborate with you to develop a personalized preventive care plan for your cat or dog based on their specific needs.

Vaccinations & Parasite Prevention for Cats & Dogs in Columbia

Vaccination & Reproductive Surgery Schedule

Current dog and cat vaccinations are required to protect your pet from a variety of contagious, often fatal, diseases. Spaying or neutering your pet not only prevents the birth of an unwanted litter, 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 animal aggression.

Cat Vaccinations

In their first year of life, kittens need these shots to protect them from serious diseases. 

  • 8 weeks
    • Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia, Chlamydia
  • 12 weeks
    • Booster: Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia, Chlamydia
    • Feline Leukemia
  • 5 to 6 months

    While the following are not kitten vaccinations, spaying, neutering, and microchipping help protect your cat from a number of health issues, and therefore fall under the preventive health care umbrella. 

    • 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 that is about the size of a grain of rice and is implanted beneath the skin of your pet. Pets with microchips have a better chance of being reunited with their owners if they become separated.

Dog Vaccinations

In their first year, puppies need these shots to protect them from dangerous diseases. 

  • 6 weeks
    • DHPP/CV (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus, Corona, Leptospirosis)
  • 8 weeks
    • Booster: DHPP/CV (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus, Corona, Leptospirosis)
  • 12 weeks
    • Booster: DHPP/CV (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus, Corona, Leptospirosis)
  • 16 weeks
      • Booster: DHPP/CV (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus, Corona, Leptospirosis)
      • Rabies
      • Booster: Bordetella (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. 

    • 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 to your property.
    • Neuter (male) - Neutering your male dog 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 that is about the size of a grain of rice and is implanted beneath the skin of your pet. Pets with microchips have a better chance of being reunited with their owners if they become separated.
  • 14 to 16 months
    • DHPP/CV (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus, Corona, Leptospirosis)
    • Rabies
    • Final Booster: Bordetella (Optional)

Parasite Prevention

Parasites are a serious health risk to both humans and animals in the Columbia and surrounding areas. 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 many serious diseases in humans and pets.

Ear Mites

Tiny, highly contagious ear mites reside in the ear canals of dogs, cats, and other mammals. These parasites reproduce continuously. 

Heartworm

This thread-like parasitic roundworm is spread by mosquito bites and lives in the infected dog's or cat's heart, lungs, and blood vessels.

Hookworm

These parasites live in the digestive tracts of pets, feeding on the blood of the animal. Hookworms can cause anemia and other health problems.

Roundworm

This parasitic worm lives in the intestine and feeds on partially digested feces. This parasite can deplete your pet's vital nutrients, making them to ill.

Tapeworm

Tapeworms are 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 a dog's health.

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