You make sure your kids get to the doctor regularly for annual exams and vaccinations, but your furry friends deserve this kind of care, too! In order to keep your pet living a long and healthy life, it's essential to make regular visits to your vet for animal wellness. At Waipio Pet Clinic in Waipahu, Hawaii, clients are kept informed of the vaccinations that their pets need to stay healthy and disease free. Vaccinations can be integrated into a routine visit to the clinic, given either during an initial visit or as boosters administered every year or every few years.

Vaccinations provide the best level of protection possible for pets. Diseases like rabies, canine distemper, parvovirus, and leptospirosis are all potentially fatal diseases that vaccines can help prevent. Some people worry about the side effects of vaccines, but most of them, such as muscle soreness or lethargy, fade quickly in animals. The benefits of vaccines and annual boosters far outweigh the risks, according to most experienced veterinarians.

Vaccines are also important if you plan to board your pet or enroll him or her in some kind of dog training class. Many boarding kennels require rabies and distemper vaccines, and most dog training courses require verification of a rabies vaccination. Be sure to let veterinarians perform any and all vaccinations; at-home vaccine kits do not provide the background information that only a vet can furnish you with. Your veterinarian at Waipio Pet Clinic will tell you what vaccines your specific pet needs based upon where you live and the animal's individual history. He or she can also provide you with the paperwork you need to verify vaccinations.

Call Waipio Pet Clinic today at (808) 676-2205 to find out what vaccines your pet may need. You can also contact their pet hospital online for more information. They look forward to meeting you and your four-legged friend!