Veterinarian Reminds Pet Owners That Vaccinations Are Essential to Pet Care


CHARLES TOWN, W.Va., May 10, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Charles Town veterinarian, Dr. Dennis Dibbern, urges families to check their pets' vaccinations records. Dr. Dibbern, who runs Countryside Veterinary Clinic, says that owners can prevent the spread of many painful and even deadly diseases by simply making sure pets' immunizations are current. He also reminds pet owners that West Virginia pet care law requires all dogs and cats to be vaccinated against rabies with a three-year vaccination. Owners moving to other states may need additional vaccines for their pets to legally travel interstate.

Dr. Dibbern says vaccinations are an essential part of responsible pet care, and that they are administered as part of routine health care which includes an annual wellness exam for pets treated at Countryside Veterinary Clinic.

"Vaccines have been instrumental in drastically reducing diseases like rabies throughout the country. Owners should not become passive with this important immunization, though, because rabies is still out there." A total of 138 cases of rabies in wild and domestic animals were recorded in West Virginia in 2011. Rabies is almost always fatal and can be passed to humans through a bite wound, so Dr. Dibbern urges pet owners not to neglect a rabies vaccine as an important part of their pet's health care.

Dr. Dibbern recommends other vaccines for both dogs and cats, as a part of a comprehensive wellness plan. All dogs should be vaccinated against distemper and parvovirus. Parvo, which can be contracted by dogs sniffing the bodily secretions of infected animals, is a major cause of infectious disease in dogs worldwide. Vomiting and bloody diarrhea are symptoms of this often deadly disease, with fever and lethargy following. Parvovirus can live in the grass for up to a year and is particularly devastating to puppies, older dogs and dogs with weakened immune systems. Puppy checks at the clinic include these vaccines as well as immunizations for corona virus, hepatitis and parainfluenza. Dr. Dibbern also recommends the leptospirosis vaccine for puppies 16 weeks or older, Bordetella for dogs who are exposed to other dogs with unknown vaccination histories (usually when kenneled , in "dog-friendly" areas like dog parks, or while traveling), and a Lyme vaccine for dogs living in this area where deer, and the deer tick are plentiful.

Cats are also susceptible to several highly contagious diseases that can be prevented through an up-do-date vaccination regimen. Cats, like dogs, are legally required to have a current rabies vaccine, but Dr. Dibbern also provides scheduled wellness vaccines for feline distemper and feline leukemia as well as several other lesser known feline diseases. Feline leukemia is the leading cause of viral death in cats and spreads when a cat comes into casual contact with infected cats, or through bite wounds. 

Dr. Dibbern says, "At Countryside Veterinary Clinic your pet's needs are evaluated individually so that we can provide them with the care that will keep them healthy."

Dr. Dennis Dibbern has been the veterinarian at Countryside Veterinary Clinic for 19 years and is a member of the AVMA and the WVVMA. For more information visit the Countryside Veterinary Clinic website located at http://www.charlestowncountrysidevet.com.



            

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