Protection & Prevention
At our Provincetown veterinary hospital, we have a laser focus on preventive care to help keep common diseases, disorders, and conditions from ever developing in your pet in the first place.
Combined with regular wellness exams, pet vaccinations, and parasite prevention form the foundation of your animal's routine healthcare.
Preventive care routinely administered at our veterinary hospital gives your pet their best chance at a long, healthy, and happy life. Our team will work closely together and with you to create a customized preventive care plan for your pet.
Vaccination & Reproductive Surgery Schedule
Up-to-date dog and cat vaccinations are critical when it comes to protecting your four-legged friend from a variety of contagious, and often serious, diseases. Having your pet neutered or spayed not only prevents the birth of unwanted litters but also helps to protect your pet against some kinds of cancer. These procedures may also prevent unwanted behaviors like scooting, roaming, howling, and animal aggression.
Cat Vaccinations
In their first year of life, kittens need the following shots to protect them from serious diseases.
- 6 to 8 weeks
- Rhinotracheitis, Calcivirus, Panleukopenia, Chlamydia
- 10 to 12 weeks
- Booster: Rhinotracheitis, Calcivirus, Panleukopenia, Chlamydia
- Feline Leukemia
- 14 to 16 Weeks
- Booster: Rhinotracheitis, Calcivirus, Panleukopenia, Chlamydia
- Feline Leukemia 2
- 5 to 6 months
While the following are not kitten shots, 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 against serious illnesses, and can help to prevent behaviors such as howling and scooting that accompany heat cycles.
- Neuter (males) - Cat neutering prevents your kitty from fathering unwanted kittens and can protect your cat against a wide range of illnesses. Not only that, but this procedure can help to prevent him from howling, active aggressively and spraying to mark territory.
- Microchipping - A microchip is a permanent form of identification that is about the size of a grain of rice and placed under your pet’s skin. Pets that are microchipped have a better chance of being reunited with their owners if they are lost.
Dog Vaccinations
In their first year, puppies need these shots to protect them from dangerous diseases.
- 6 to 8 weeks
- DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
- 10 to 12 Weeks
- Booster: DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
- Bordetella (Optional)
- Leptospirosis (Optional)
- 14 to 16 Weeks
- Booster: DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
- Rabies
- Booster: Bordetella (Optional)
- Booster: Leptospirosis (Optional)
Although the following are not puppy shots, spaying, neutering, and microchipping help protect your dog from a number of health issues, and therefore fall under the preventive health care umbrella.
- Spay (female) - Spaying your dog will prevent your pup from mothering puppies of her own. It can also help to prevent certain kinds of cancer and her regular heat cycles which can attract roaming males ot your home.
- Neuter (male) - Dog neutering can help to prevent your male dog from fathering unwanted puppies, as well as protecting your dog from a number of serious cancers, and helping to reduce the risk of roaming and dog aggression.
- Microchipping - A microchip is a permanent form of identification that is about the size of a grain of rice and placed under your pet’s skin. Pets that are microchipped have a better chance of being reunited with their owners if they are lost.
- 12 to 16 Months
- Final Booster: DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus)
- Rabies
- Final Booster: Bordetella (Optional)
- Final Booster: Leptospirosis (Optional)
Parasite Prevention
Parasites can pose a serious risk to your pet's health if not promptly identified and treated. In some cases, parasites found in the Provincetown area can even threaten your pet's life. Our prevention products and treatments can help to guard your cat or dog against the following common parasites:
Fleas
Fleas are external parasites that feed on the blood of birds and mammals. Left untreated, fleas can quickly spread throughout your household.
Ticks
Ticks consume the blood of mammals and are responsible for the spread of a number of serious conditions in both people and pets.
Ear Mites
Tiny and contagious, ear mites reside in the ear canals of dogs and cats. They reproduce continuously throughout their lifespans.
Heartworm
This thread-like parasitic roundworm is spread through mosquito bites and makes its home in the heart, lungs and blood vessels of infected animals.
Hookworm
These parasites live in the digestive tract of cats and dogs where they feed on the pet's blood. Hookworms can lead to anemia and other serious conditions.
Roundworm
This parasitic worm lives in the intestine and feeds on partially digested intestinal contents. This parasite can rob your pet of vital nutrients necessary to stay healthy.
Tapeworm
Tapeworms are spread through the ingestion of infected fleas during grooming. These hook-like parasitic worms live and grow in your pet's intestines.
Whipworm
Whipworms are spread through the ingestion of soil that has been in contact with an infected dog's feces. Whipworms pose a serious health risk to dogs.