Pet Vaccinations

Vaccines are one of the most significant advances in medicine and have extended the lives of our beloved pets. At Compass, we customize each pet’s vaccination protocol according to their needs. We consider your pet’s age, exposure, environment, health status, breed, lifestyle, and travel habits. We can even run a vaccine titer test to help determine whether a dog’s immunity is still active before we administer another vaccine.

Both the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) promote extending the interval between some vaccinations due to the fact that immunity actually lasts longer than a year.

Animal vaccinations are divided into two groups. “Core” vaccines are necessary for all pets. The “Non-Core” vaccines are recommended based on the individual pet’s lifestyle and risk factors.

FEAR FREE PET VACCINATIONS

Just like how children at the pediatrician’s office may not like getting their shots, pets can be equally anxious at the vet. In our Fear Free certified clinic, we make sure your four-legged friends are given the care and consideration they deserve. Our goal is to make sure they leave happy and safe!

Core Vaccines

Canine: DHPP or DAPP, Rabies
Feline: FVRCP, Rabies
Rabbits: Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHV)

Non-core Vaccines

Canine: Bordetella, Leptospirosis, Lyme Disease, Canine Influenza
Feline: Feline Leukemia (FeLV), Feline Immunodeficiency (FIV)

COMPASS VACCINES

We have carefully selected all vaccines carried at Compass based on the protection offered and the safety of the vaccine. That includes keeping current on vaccine research and staying in constant communication with Oregon Veterinary Medical Association and the Pharmaceutical Companies that manufacture our vaccine products. Many of our vaccines are a smaller volume for greater comfort for your pet

Rabies: For dogs, we carry Imrab 3 TF by Merial – a thimerosal-free vaccination licensed for use in dogs, cats, and ferrets. Thimerosal in vaccines has been linked to adverse reactions.

Rabies: For cats, we strongly recommend the PureVax Rabies vaccine, also by Merial. This vaccine does not contain thimerosal, and is nonadjuvanted, making it a safer choice for cats. With standard vaccines, a very small percentage of cats will develop vaccine-associated sarcomas (a highly aggressive cancer) at the site of vaccination. Adjuvants are substances added to vaccines to increase the immune response. Adjuvants have been linked directly to injection site reactions and sarcoma development. PureVax is the safest choice and is unlikely to cause vaccine reactions. Due to the higher cost of PureVax, we will continue to make the adjuvanted version available for those owners that are concerned about cost and who are willing to accept the higher risk of the adjuvanted rabies vaccine for their cat.

Bordetella: We use only oral bordetella vaccines. This vaccination is administered by mouth – no injection and no nose drops! Immunity is quick and effective.

Lyme: Our Recombitek Lyme vaccine by Merial contains no chemical adjuvants, resulting in a lower incidence of a vaccine reaction. Dogs and puppies over 12 weeks of age receive two doses 3-4 weeks apart, then are revaccinated yearly.

FVRCP: We use Merial PureVax. This vaccine is adjuvant- and thimerosal-free.

FeLV: Since the adjuvant version of this vaccine has also been linked with tumor formation, we carry the FeLV PureVax vaccine with no adjuvant.

Veterinary Pet Care Services in Lake Oswego, OR