KEEP YOUR PET HEALTHY
Pet Vaccinations and Preventative Medicine
Did you know? Alpine Animal Clinic doesn’t charge extra for routine vaccinations. We strongly believe your family member’s health and well-being are so important that we only charge by the exam.
Comprehensive Pet Vaccinations and Preventative Medicine
Whether your pet needs all the vaccinations, just one, or anything in between, routine vaccinations are at no additional cost.
Preventative veterinary care can add years to the lives of your four-legged family and help keep them active and well. We tailor our approach to the specific needs of you and your family. Indoor cats have different requirements from outdoor cats, and hunting dogs and show dogs have different requirements from lap dogs. Age, health, and previous vaccination history are also very important in deciding what vaccines your pet should receive.
Your pet’s annual exam with vaccinations visit includes a nose-to-tail exam, checking the entire health and well-being of your loved one. Our veterinary team assesses your pet’s dental health, evaluates their nutritional status, addresses orthopedic issues, and conducts a comprehensive physical examination to detect problems early. Of course, we ensure they are up to date on their immunizations and recommend only those services and immunizations your individual pet truly needs.
Currently, Canine Influenza is considered an experimental vaccination and is available by special order at an additional charge if needed.
Cat Vaccinations
We recommend ALL unvaccinated kittens and cats receive Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia, and Feline Leukemia Virus with at least two vaccinations.
For Indoor cats, we recommend not continuing Leukemia vaccination regularly, but the FVRCP combo vaccinations should be continued at regular intervals, depending upon exposure risk and age.
Regardless of lifestyle, all cats are to be vaccinated regularly for Rabies Virus.
Dog Vaccinations
All puppies and unvaccinated dogs should receive two to three “parvo-distemper combo” vaccines: distemper, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, and Parvo Virus.
Any dog exposed to other dogs, such as through the fence in the neighborhood, parks, hiking trails, grooming, or boarding facilities, should also receive a Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccination.
Every dog is required to have regular Rabies Virus vaccination.
In Montana, and particularly Helena, all dogs should be on medication to prevent Heartworm disease.
At Alpine Animal Clinic, our policy is to only vaccinate for diseases to which your pet can realistically be exposed and for which the benefit of the vaccine outweighs the risks of the vaccine’s side effects. We, therefore, do not routinely recommend FIP, FIV, Lyme disease, leptospirosis, rattlesnake bite vaccines, or other vaccines that we feel have not been proven to be safe and effective. Leptospirosis, Lyme, and rattlesnake vaccines are available by request and at an additional cost at Alpine Animal Clinic.
Canine Influenza (dog flu) is an emerging disease that is increasing in risk. Dual-valent Influenza vaccine is now available and recommended for most dogs. It has been proven effective and is available at an additional cost at Alpine Animal Clinic. Currently, in our area, it is not a required vaccination for boarding and grooming facilities.