Vaccine Policy
Rabies:
We require the Rabies vaccine to be up to date for all dogs and cats at our hospital for appointments, drop-offs, and surgeries. The Rabies vaccine is required by Georgia state law (Rabies Control Law- O.C.G.A. -31-19). It states that “all owned dogs and cats be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian using approved vaccines”. Your pet will need to receive a Rabies Vaccine during your appointment if overdue or unvaccinated.
More Information: Rabies is considered a fatal viral disease that attacks the central nervous system of mammals, causing brain disease and then death. It is zoonotic, meaning it can be passed to humans through contact with animals. According to the World Health Organization, at least 60,000 humans still die of Rabies each year, nearly always due to contact with rabid dogs, but this has become rare in the United States thanks in large part to our companion animal vaccination programs.
Should an unvaccinated animal bite or scratch any human being (even accidentally), Georgia law requires the incident to be reported and the pet to be quarantined or potentially euthanized. The only test for Rabies is through the removal of brain tissue of the animal after euthanasia.
Some animals may not be good candidates for the Rabies vaccine due to immune disease, severe reactions, or serious current health conditions. The veterinarian may not require the pet to be vaccinated in order to treat or may even recommend waiting/foregoing. In this case, we may waive the requirement with veterinarian approval. However, please understand that the veterinarian’s recommendation does not supersede state law if an incident or potential exposure were to occur.
Distemper/Parvo (DHPP), Canine Influenza, and Bordetella for dogs:
Rhinotracheitis/Calici/Panleukopenia (FVRCP) for cats:
In the event you schedule a drop-off appointment, boarding stay, or surgical procedure, we will need these vaccines to be current by a medical facility with documentation, or we will need to update the vaccines to decrease the risk of exposure to these viruses to our other patients. These vaccines are not required for outpatient visits but are highly recommended.
Leukemia for cats and Leptospirosis for dogs:
These vaccines are not required but are highly recommended based on lifestyle. Leukemia vaccination should be administered to any cat that ventures outdoors (even on a porch or balcony). Due to its increasing prevalence and risk of transmission to humans, Leptospirosis has now been designated as a core canine vaccine by the American Animal Hospital Association.