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Pet Vaccinations & Parasite Prevention in Des Moines

Our veterinary team in Des Moines is able to help you to protect your dog, cat or exotic pet from a wide variety of serious disorders and diseases using routine pet vaccinations and parasite prevention treatments. 

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Protection & Prevention

At Des Moines Veterinary Hospital, we focus on preventive care to keep common diseases and disorders from developing in the first place.

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

Preventative care allows your pet to have their best opportunity at a long, healthy and happy life. Our team will work closely with you to craft a custom preventative care plan for your pet in order to meet their unique needs.

Kitten ready for vaccination at Des Moines

Vaccination & Reproductive Surgery Schedule

Up-to-date cat and dog vaccinations are key when it comes to protecting your furry friend against a range of highly contagious, and often serious, diseases. Likewise, having your companion spayed or neutered prevents the birth of unwanted litters. These procedures can also help to protect your pet against some serious forms of cancer. They may prevent undesirable behaviors to manifest in your pet too, like roaming, scooting or 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 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. It also protects your feline friend against a wide variety of serious reproductive illnesses as well as curbs behaviors like scooting or howling that accompany heat cycles.
    • Neuter (males) - Neutering your male cat prevents your pet from fathering unwanted kittens, protects your cat against various illnesses, and can help to prevent territory marking (spraying), roaming, howling, and cat 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.

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 vaccinations, 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) - Dog spaying will prevent your female dog from mothering puppies, but it can also help to prevent certain cancers and regular heat cycles which can attract roaming males to your property.
    • Neuter (male) - Neutering your male dog will help to prevent them from fathering unwanted puppies and protect them from a number of serious diseases like some kinds of cancer. Your male dog's risk of exhibiting problematic behaviors like aggresison or roaming will also be significantly reduced. 
    • 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)

Vaccination and Parasite Prevention for Small Mammals

Our veterinary team is proud to offer preventative care for exotic small mammals in addition to dogs and cats. Regardless of the kind of pet you have, preventative healthcare is the key to maintaining their health and well-being throughout their lives.

Vaccinations for small mammals, as well as tests for and prevention of parasites, will help to prevent diseases, allow our vets a chance to monitor their physical health and give you the peace of mind to know that your pet's health is in tip-top shape. At Des Moines Veterinary Hospital, our veterinary team is here to meet each and every one of your exotic pet's healthcare needs. 

Small Mammals    

Parasite Prevention

Parasites can pose a serious health risk to animals and people in the Des Moines area. If untreated, parasites can also threaten the life of your dog, cat, or exotic pet. In some instances, these health issues are even transmissible to other pets or people living in your home. Our parasite prevention treatments can help to protect your pet from any of the following common parasites.  

Fleas

Fleas are external parasites that feed on the blood of mammals. Left untreated, fleas can quickly spread throughout your household.

Ticks

These external parasites consume the blood of mammals and are responsible for the spread of a number of serious conditions in people and pets. 

Ear Mites

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

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.

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Welcoming Your Pets to Our Animal Hospital 

Des Moines Veterinary Hospital welcomes cats, dogs, fish, small mammals, and their owners to our clinic! Our experienced vets are passionate about the health of Des Moines companion animals. Get in touch today to book your pet's appointment.

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(206) 878-4111 Contact