All prescription medications that leave the facility are non-returnable and non-refundable.

For liability reasons, in order for us to see your patient, the patient must have a current Rabies vaccine on file, either from us or documentation from elsewhere. If we do not have proof of a current Rabies vaccine at the time of appointment we will require that it be updated during this time.

Finding a Vaccine Clinic in Van Nuys

Are you ready to get a little gross here? We often talk about diseases in terms of what they can do to your pet. After all, you’re not exactly giving your cold to your dog, and your cat isn’t giving you theirs...right? It turns out that there are quite a few infections that are what we call zoonotic, or ones that can jump from an animal into a human. You might be familiar with this from swine flu or avian flu from the past few years, but these aren’t the only animals that can transmit diseases to people. Another great reason to bring your pet in to a vaccine clinic in Van Nuys, especially after we describe some of these symptoms!

Deadly Rabies

This is definitely the scariest and most well-known zoonotic disease out there, and for good reason. There are maybe only one or two people across the globe who’ve been known to have survived rabies without receiving a vaccination. Many people think that the shots you get after being bitten by a rabid animal are a treatment for the disease -- in fact, they’re actually the vaccine administered after the fact.

But how on earth does that work? After all, vaccines have to be given before you come into contact with a disease normally. Rabies is a strange one, though. It moves so slowly that you actually have time to train up your immune system after an infection happens, but before symptoms start showing up. So why do veterinarians at your local vaccine clinic here in Van Nuys insist on vaccinating your pet regularly? Your cat or dog can’t tell you that they might have a tiny scratch from a tussle with a raccoon, or that they came into contact with the neighborhood bat. The only way you’d know they’ve been exposed is when the symptoms show up, which puts your whole family at risk and guarantees a sad end for your pet. Thankfully, those rabies vaccines are highly effective in cats and dogs!

Leptospirosis

Another zoonotic disease that you can catch from your pet is leptospirosis. This infection has many uncomfortable symptoms, including fever and vomiting. Though it’s rarer these days, your local vaccine clinic  will know how high the risk is in Van Nuys. Unless you want to spend your days washing your hands and bleaching surfaces should your pet contract this disease, vaccinations are the way to go.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please feel free to reach out to us at Sweet Home Veterinary Hospital.

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