Frequently Asked Questions

DOGS-

1. Rabies Vaccine:

Rabies is one of the most devastating viral diseases affecting mammals, including dogs and humans. It is a fatal disease caused by infection with the rabies virus. 

• A Rabies Vaccine is require by Law in the US for cats and dogs.
• A Rabies Vaccine is required in order to obtain a dog license.
• A Rabies Vaccine is required by most boarding facilities, custom agents, airlines, daycare facilities and grooming salons.
• Rabies is almost always lethal.
• Rabies can pass from your dog to your human family. 
• Rabies has a 99% mortality rate in humans.
• All dogs and cats should be vaccinated for Rabies.

Puppies and kittens receive their initial rabies vaccine at the age of 12-16 weeks.  This vaccine is good for 12 months.  Subsequent vaccines, after the initial one-year, are valid for 3 years. 

          2. Parvovirus Vaccine

Parvovirus is the world's most common canine infectious disease. “This is a viral infection that is well-known for its contagiousness and severe damage to the intestines, particularly among puppies.
Vaccinated dogs can still get parvo, though it's highly unlikely. You should still get your dog vaccinated for it since parvovirus is a serious, scary and life-threatening disease, and the vaccine is normally incredibly effective. 

We offer a solitary Parvovirus Vaccine-DA2P-Parvo., as well as a COMBO VACCINE:

• DAP-Parvovirus + Lepto4 (8-in-1 ).
• Distemper
• Hepatitis (Adenovirus)
• Parainfluenza
• Parvovirus
• FOUR strains of Leptospirosis

          3. Canine Coronavirus

Canine coronavirus disease, known as CCoV, is a highly infectious intestinal infection in dogs, especially puppies.

• Canine coronavirus (CCoV) is not the same virus as SARS-CoV-2 that causes the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). CCoV does not affect people. CCoV causes gastrointestinal problems in dogs, as opposed to respiratory disease.
• Crowding and unsanitary conditions lead to coronavirus transmission.
• The duration of illness is two to ten days in most dogs. Secondary infections by bacteria, parasites, and other viruses may develop and prolong illness and recovery. Dogs may be carriers of the disease for up to six months (180 days) after infection.
• Antibiotics are ineffective against viruses, but may be useful in controlling secondary bacterial infections. 

         4. Bordetella

Bordetella bronchiseptica is a bacterium that is associated with respiratory disease in dogs. It is one of the components of the canine infectious respiratory complex, sometimes referred to as kennel cough, upper respiratory infection, or infectious tracheobronchitis. 

• Bordetella bronchiseptica causes inflammation of your dog's upper respiratory system. This inflammation leads to coughing and illness and can expose your dog to secondary infections.
• In healthy adult dogs, Bordetella usually causes no more than a mild, self-limiting illness. In puppies or in dogs with other underlying health issues, however, it can cause severe illness (such as pneumonia) or even death in rare cases.

        5. Influenza - H3N8 / H3N2 - Dog Flu

Canine influenza (also known as dog flu) is a contagious respiratory disease in dogs caused by specific Type A influenza viruses known to infect dogs. These are called “canine influenza viruses.” No human infections with canine influenza have ever been reported. There are two different influenza A dog flu viruses: one is an H3N8 virus and the other is an H3N2 virus.

• The signs of this illness in dogs are cough, runny nose, fever, lethargy, eye discharge, and reduced appetite, but not all dogs will show signs of illness. The severity of illness associated with canine flu in dogs can range from no signs to severe illness resulting in pneumonia and sometimes death.
• There is no cure for dog flu. Treatment is supportive, and your veterinarian can advise you on the best ways to keep your dog comfortable during his illness and recovery. Some dogs may require supportive care, such as fluids, to aid their recovery, as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications to reduce fevers.
• The best treatment approach to canine influenza is effective prevention. Nobivac® Canine Flu Bivalent has been shown to be effective against canine influenza virus strains H3N2 and H3N8.

          6.  Leptospirosis ( Lepto 4 )

Leptospirosis is a disease that can affect human and animals, including your pets. All animals can potentially become infected with Leptospirosis. While for many years occurrence among pets was rare, the disease has been diagnosed more frequently in the past few years. 

• The bacteria that cause leptospirosis are spread through the urine of infected animals and can survive in water or soil for weeks to months. People and animals can get infected through contact with contaminated urine, water or soil.
• Symptoms of Leptospirosis in dogs are:
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Refusal to eat
• Severe weakness and depression
• Stiffness
• Severe muscle pain
• Inability to have puppies
• Leptospirosis is responsive to antibiotics and complete recovery is possible, but some dogs that survive may be left with chronic kidney or liver disease. Some dogs may not survive if the infection has caused significant organ damage or severely affected the ability of blood to form clots.

          7.  Rattlesnake Vaccine

When a dog is bitten by a rattlesnake,  the snake will eject venom with the bite. The consequence of this can be serious, with about 40 percent of rattlesnake bites in pets resulting in a severe reaction, and about 5 percent being fatal.
A Rattlesnake bite causes severe swelling at the site of the bite (most often the face or paws in pets), bleeding, a dangerous drop in blood pressure, shock, and eventual paralysis of breathing. Time is essential and this is a true Pet Emergency.

A Rattlesnake Vaccine can help to decrease the severity of the effects of a bite and buy you a little more time to seek veterinary attention. 

The rattlesnake vaccine:

• Can be given as early as 16 weeks of age
• Must be boostered in about a month after the initial vaccination is administered
• Needs to be repeated annually
• Should be given about a month before snake season begins for best results
• May need to be given every six months in warmer climates where snakes are more active year-round (for those who travel south)
• Does not offer any protection from other types of snakes

        8. Lyme Disease

• Lyme disease is transmitted to dogs through the bite of a tick. Once in the blood stream, the Lyme disease organism is carried to many parts of the body and is likely to localize in joints or kidneys.
• Dogs with lameness, swollen joints, and fever are suspected of having Lyme disease.
• Because the Lyme spirochete is a bacterium, it can be treated with antibiotics. The antibiotic of choice is doxycycline, followed by amoxicillin, then azithromycin. Treatment lasts for 4 weeks. Occasionally, the initial infection will recur, or the pet will become re-infected by being bitten by another infected tick.
• Vaccination against Lyme disease is recommended for pets that live in endemic areas or that travel to areas where Lyme disease is prevalent.

        9. Tapeworm Injections

• Tapeworms are flat, segmented intestinal parasites of the cat and dog.
• The tapeworm uses its hook-like mouthparts to attach to the wall of the small intestine. The adult worms may reach up to 11 inches (30 cm) in length. As the adult matures, individual segments, called proglottids, are passed in the feces of an infected dog. The proglottids are about 1/2” (12 mm) long and about 1/8” (3 mm) wide and look like grains of rice or cucumber seeds.
• Occasionally they can be seen moving on the hairs around the anus, or more commonly, on the surface of freshly passed feces. 
• With today's deworming medications, treatment is simple and effective. The parasiticide may be given either in the form of tablets or by injection. It causes the parasite to be digested in the intestines so you normally will not see tapeworms passed in the stool. These drugs are very safe and should not cause any side effects.
• THE TAPEWORM TREATMENT IS AN INJECTION, GIVEN TWICE, 14-21 DAYS APART.  
• TAPEWORM PREVENTION IS THROUGH FLEA CONTROL, AS DOGS & CATS CONTRACT TAPEWORMS BY EATING A FLEA WHILE GROOMING OR SCRATCHING.  WITHOUT FLEA CONTROL, CATS AND DOGS THAT ARE GOOD AT CATCHING FLEAS WILL HAVE TAPEWORMS AGAIN IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.  

        10. Deworming

The most common type of intestinal parasites that affect pet dogs and cats are hookworms, whipworms, roundworms, and tapeworms. The effects of these worms are unpleasant, as they can lay dormant in your pet's system for quite some time before physical symptoms manifest.

• Humans can get worms from cats and dogs: These worms, like other infections that humans can get from animals, are called zoonotic (zoe-o-NOT-ick) infections or zoonoses (zoe-o-NO-sees). By treating your pets properly (typically with annual deworming treatments, you can help protect your pets, yourself, and your family.
• If one pet is infected, It is always safest to treat all household pet members as if they are infected.
• When  your pet is dewormed....you are killing the adult stages of the worms in the intestine. Sometimes you can see those adult worms pass in the stool - that's not uncommon - but most of these worms (especially those causing the most damage such as hookworms) are not visible to the naked eye. Some owners do see worms passing in the stool after treatment, but most owners don't.
•  Worm infestations that remain untreated can lead to serious health issues for your cat – including malnutrition, severe anemia, and intestinal obstructions – which can become life-threatening.
• THE BROAD SPECTRUM DEWORMER IS A PLEASANT FLAVORED BANANA-FLAVORED LIQUID GIVEN ORALLY.  IT REQUIRES TWO TREATMENTS, 14 DAYS APART IN PUPPIES AND KITTENS UP TO 2 YEARS OF AGE, AND 21 DAYS APART IN DOGS/CATS OLDER THAN 2 YEARS.  

        11. Microchip

WHY WE SHOULD MICROCHIP PETS:

• A properly implanted, registered microchip is a safe, reliable measure to ensure that a beloved pet will be returned if it is ever lost or stolen, according to research by the AVMA and other organizations. 
• Microchips can't be removed or come loose accidentally, side effects and adverse reactions to microchips are extremely rare, and despite rumors to the contrary, there is no evidence that microchips can cause cancer
• New Regulations in Los Angeles County Require all Dogs to be microchipped, and recommend all cats to be microchipped. 
• ​Some Los Angeles Shelters are NOT taking in strays at this time, and are simply relying on the community to take care of each other's pets and try to re-unite them with their owners.  
• There is no central database for listing lost and found pets, and many will never be reunited with their owners. 
• A microchip GREATLY increases the chance that a lost pet will make it home to its owner. 

It's EASIER than EVER to Microchip Your Pets !

• The NEW Petlink SLIM Microchips  are SMALLER THAN EVER, and use a 14 gauge needle for easy implementation (other brands are using much larger and more painful needles..  
• When you purchase a chip from us at LowCostPetVaccines.com, your pet can then be registered for FREE for LIFE,  
• Anytime you wish to update your information or your pet's information, just go to Petlink.net, sign in using your email ( the email you gave us on the form you filled out at the clinic ), and your phone # as the password. You may then change your log-in information as you wish, as well as your contact info. You can also add photos of your pet(s), and additional contacts for your pet(s).

CATS-

1. Rabies
2. FVRCP ( 3 in 1 )
3. Feline Leukemia
4. Tapeworm Injections
5. Broad Spectrum De-Wormer (includes two treatments)
6. Microchip

RABBITS-

1. RHDV2
2. Microchip - A microchip is REQUIRED along with the vaccine

Vaccines are given every 2-4 weeks starting at 7-8 weeks old until puppies are over the age of 16 weeks old.     

Here is the protocol:  

The first visit:  

Puppies have parasites from their mother, and two deworming treatments (banana flavored oral liquid) are given twice, two to three weeks apart ($40/treatment).  

All puppies are now required to have a microchip, and we have the best one.  

We recommend puppies receive their microchip at as young an age as possible.  

The one-time cost is $40, and we register the chip for you. 

Vaccines:  

• DAP-Parvovirus + Lepto4 ( 8-in-1) ($30).
• Coronavirus ($20), 
• Bordetella ($20),
•  Influenza ($40).    

Return in 2 weeks for:

•  DAP-Parvovirus + Lepto4 ( 8-in-1) ($30).
• Influenza ($40), 
• Coronavirus ($20), 
• Plus the second deworming ($40). 

Return in 3 weeks for:

• DAP-Parvovirus + Lepto4 ( 8-in-1) ($30).
• Coronavirus ($20) 
• Rabies vaccines ($20)   

Then you are good for a year.  

We will send you email reminders for when the next vaccines are due. * If you provide a legible email *

WHY WE SHOULD MICROCHIP PETS:

• A properly implanted, registered microchip is a safe, reliable measure to ensure that a beloved pet will be returned if it is ever lost or stolen, according to research by the AVMA and other organizations. 
• Microchips can't be removed or come loose accidentally, side effects and adverse reactions to microchips are extremely rare, and despite rumors to the contrary, there is no evidence that microchips can cause cancer
• New Regulations in Los Angeles County Require all Dogs to be microchipped, and recommend all cats to be microchipped. 
• ​Some Los Angeles Shelters are NOT taking in strays at this time, and are simply relying on the community to take care of each other's pets and try to re-unite them with their owners.  
• There is no central database for listing lost and found pets, and many will never be reunited with their owners. 
• A microchip GREATLY increases the chance that a lost pet will make it home to it owner , especially now during this crisis. 

It's EASIER than EVER to Microchip Your Pets !

• The NEW Petlink SLIM Microchips  are SMALLER THAN EVER, and use a 14 gauge needle for easy implementation.  
• When you purchase a chip form us at LowCostPetVaccines.com, your pet will be automatically registered for FREE for LIFE, with FREE registration updates for LIFE. ( provided you give us all the information we need, and it's legible  
• Anytime you wish to update your information or your pet's information, just go to Petlink.net, sign in using your email ( the email you gave us on the form you filled out at the clinic ), and your phone # as the password. You may then change your log-in information as you wish, as well as your contact info. You can also add photos of your pet(s), and additional contacts for your pet(s).

For boarding, we recommend, in addition to the annual DHLPP & Bordetella vaccines, the coronavirus, leptospirosis, and influenza vaccines for dogs.  If your dogs have not had those vaccines previously (and most have not), then a booster shot is needed 2-4 weeks later.  The good news is that the boarding facilities will accept dogs with only one shot.  

Here is the recommended protocol for kittens, starting at 7-8 weeks of age.  

It is not the number of vaccines given that counts.  The method is that kittens should receive their vaccines every 2-4 weeks until they are 16 weeks of age or older.  Please bring whatever paperwork you may have and we will make a schedule for you. 

We have Clinics every Saturday and Sunday.  

 First visit:  FVRCP vaccine($25),+ the first of two deworming treatments ($20) (kittens have intestinal parasites from their mother).  All dogs and cats, puppies, and kittens are now required to have a microchip.  We have the best one, and the one-time cost is $40.  We send home the second dose of dewormer for you to give at home two weeks later.  Without two treatments, 2 weeks apart, the kitten will still have intestinal parasites ($20).


Return in four weeks for FVRCP ($25), FelV ($30).


Return in four weeks for FVRCP ($25) and FeLV ($30)  and Rabies ($20) vaccines. 


Then you're good for a year.  

We send out email reminders for when the next vaccines are due. 

We accept cash, Venmo, and Zelle but no checks or credit cards. 

Cats in carriers, please.

• THE BROAD SPECTRUM DEWORMER IS A PLEASANT  BANANA-FLAVORED LIQUID GIVEN ORALLY.  
• IT REQUIRES TWO TREATMENTS, 14 DAYS APART IN PUPPIES AND KITTENS UP TO 1.5 YEARS OF AGE, AND 28 DAYS APART IN DOGS/CATS OLDER THAN 1.5 YEARS.  
• THE TAPEWORM TREATMENT IS AN INJECTION, GIVEN TWICE, 14-21 DAYS APART.  TAPEWORM PREVENTION IS VIA FLEA CONTROL, AS DOGS & CATS CONTRACT TAPEWORMS BY EATING A FLEA WHILE GROOMING, SCRATCHING.  
• WITHOUT FLEA CONTROL, CATS AND DOGS THAT ARE GOOD AT CATCHING FLEAS WILL HAVE TAPEWORMS AGAIN IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.