Wellness and Vaccination Programs for Your Pet

At Upper Canada Animal Hospital, we strive to keep your pets in the best of health. Our vaccination and wellness programs are designed so that your pets remain fit, strong and disease-free. 
Whether your dog has fleas or your kitten needs a rabies vaccine, contact Upper Canada Animal Hospital in Niagara.

Pet Vaccinations

Puppy Wellness:
Specially designed for young pups, this program offers you all the benefits of the veterinary services available. It’s perfect for any puppy between 6 to 16 weeks of age.

Kitten Wellness: Our kitten wellness service involves a series of examinations and vaccinations for rabies, leukemia, distemper, etc.

Adult Pet Wellness: At Upper Canada Animal Hospital, we take care of full grown cats and dogs too. This program includes blood testing, fecal testing, and urine testing.

Senior Pet Wellness: Over time, your pets require increased attention and special care. Our senior wellness program can help your pet remain fit and healthy as he or she ages.

Improve your Pet’s Quality of Life – Vaccinations Are Essential

Whether intentional or not, your pet will find its way into your heart. You want nothing more than to give him/her the finest life possible. UCAH has been operational for over 16 years. Our wealth of experience and fondness for pets compliments the variety of services we offer – so that your beloved pet remains healthy all year round.


Here’s how Upper Canada Animal Hospital can help you do that:

  • We take a thorough history, including information on how your pet spends their day.
  • We perform a physical exam on your pet.
  • Our advanced facilities allow us to conduct a thorough evaluation of your pet.
  • Our vaccination and wellness programs cater to the varying needs of pets at different stages in life.

Pet Vaccinations - Upper Canada Animal Hospital

It has been estimated that up to 90% of health problems in people are preventable. There is growing evidence to suggest that this is also true for our pets. The recommendations below are not listed in any order of importance, as each pet is unique and that influences each risk factor. If these recommendations  are taken to heart, and acted upon, your pet will live a much longer, happier life with fewer problems to deal with, and fewer serious trips to your veterinarian.


Vaccination Questions and Answers

Are Vaccinations Really Necessary?
Yes.  Vaccinations help protect your pet from a number of potentially serious and even fatal diseases. Not only that, vaccinations cost considerably less than the treatments available for the diseases pets are normally vaccinated against. Every pet should be vaccinated – even indoor dogs and cats can be exposed to infectious diseases.

How Do Vaccinations Work?
Vaccines contain viruses or bacteria that have been modified so that they will not cause the disease.  When a pet is vaccinated, it stimulates two parts of their immune system. One is the production of antibodies, the other is the stimulation of cell mediated immunity, which, in combination, mount a response against the bacteria or virus in question. If your pet is later exposed to that disease, the two parts of the immune system will react quickly to destroy the disease causing agent.

Why Does My Pet Need Regular Booster Vaccinations For The Same Disease?
The protection provided by a vaccine gradually declines over time. Your pet needs regular “booster” vaccinations to ensure ongoing immunity from disease.


Are Vaccinations 100% Safe and Effective?
Although nobody can guarantee that a vaccine will fully protect an animal against a given disease, vaccinations have proven to be the simplest, safest and most effective means of preventing a number of diseases in pets.  It is important to administer vaccines only to healthy pets. If your pet is already suffering from an illness, or is receiving an antibiotic, their immune system may not be able to respond to the vaccine. For that reason, our veterinarians will exam your pet prior to vaccinating.

Vaccination reactions, unfortunately, can occur in rare instances. Like a drug, a vaccine is capable of causing an adverse reaction.  Some of these reactions are mild (some discomfort at the injection site, lethargy or loss of appetite), however, some can be more severe (allergic reaction, immunologic reactions). If your pet has reacted to a vaccine in the past it is important to relay that information to us.


What Diseases Do We Vaccinate Against? 

For Dogs:

  • Rabies
  • Distemper
  • Hepatitis
  • Parainfluenza
  • Parvo Virus
  • Leptospirosis
  • Bordetella

For Cats:

  • Rabies
  • Panleukopenia
  • Calicivirus
  • Feline Rhinoracheitis
  • Feline Leukemia
  • FIV

The Facts That Every Pet Owner Should Know

Socializing

A happy, healthy pet requires socializing with your family. When considering a pet for your family, know that you are committing to giving it the attention and life that it deserves, and that it is a good match for your lifestyle.

Know your pet

Get to know your pets habits and what is considered normal for them and what is not. Changes in bowel movements, activity levels, increased drinking, reluctance to climb stairs, etc. are all early indicators of potential problems.

Vaccines

Vaccinate against common or debilitating diseases. It has been said that one of the biggest problems facing vaccines is that they work so well at preventing diseases such as parvovirus, and feline leukemia, that we don’t need them anymore because pet owners are no longer seeing these diseases. The fact is, we do not see many cases of these illnesses BECAUSE we vaccinate against them.

A healthy body weight

It is imperative that your pet maintain a healthy lean body weight. While most people can appreciate that being overweight places excess strain on joints, many are unaware that recent studies have indicated the excessive body fat also releases hormones that result in inflammation throughout the body. With respect to our pets joints, this means that they are more prone to developing arthritis, and mobility issues. Excessive weight and obesity can dramatically decrease your pets quality of life due to pain and can significantly decrease life expectancy.

A healthy diet

You are what you eat. As in people, we are are realizing the benefits of eating a well balanced diet that contains a number of supplements that can dramatically influence our general health. A poor diet can lead to poor health.

Preventive dental care

In humans, dental disease is often times considered in the top 5 causes of “natural death” in third world countries where dental hygiene may not be adequate. The same may hold true for our pets. In addition to the severe pain and discomfort associated with dental disease, other organs and diseases can be caused by ongoing inflammation in the mouth. Lung, liver and heart failure, as well as arthritis and some cancers have all been linked to dental disease.

Training / Socializing

The number one reason people relinquish their pets to shelters is because of unresolved behaviour issues. Many of which could have been easily rectified if identified and addressed early on.

Flea, tick and heartworm prevention

Preventing and treating a flea infestation, ticks and heartworm disease has never been more simple or safe. There are many treatment programs available that are both affordable and convenient for pet owners. Protect your pet and your family from an infestation with a monthly prevention program prescribed by your veterinarian.

Regular grooming

In all pets, but more so in longer haired cats and dogs, regular grooming is essential, especially in those that are not able to groom themselves as they once did. Regular grooming will help you identify small lumps or bumps that may need to be evaluated, identify sensitive or painful areas, notice wounds or skin irritations/infections, as well as improving the overall health and comfort of the skin and coat.

Our vaccination programs can help increase your pet’s life expectancy. Contact Upper Canada Animal Hospital today and book an appointment. Take a virtual tour of our hospital and animal surgery facilities to learn more about Upper Canada Animal Hospital in Niagara-on-the-lake.

Preventive Care For Your Pet
At Upper Canada Animal Hospital we believe preventive care for your pet is an essential part of their well being. Eliminating problems before they occur will ensure a healthier, happier pet, and will substantially reduce your veterinary bills over your pets life.  Medical exams, vaccinations, blood screens and analysis, and fecal tests are just part of what is involved in preventive care.


A good diet is the start to preventive care. The phrase “you are what you eat” isn’t just for us, but for our pets as well. A high quality diet prescribed by your veterinarian will ensure they are receiving the nutrients they require at each stage of their life.


Statistics reveal good oral hygiene is fairly rare among our pets. More often than not, your pet is vulnerable or already has some form of oral disease by age 2.  Dental disease can significantly decrease a pets quality of life as well as their life expectancy. A key part of a physical exam appointment at Upper Canada Animal Hospital involves an oral examination.  You may not think you need to make regular appointments for your pets teeth, or that their dental health is good because you don’t see any visible problems. There are, however, several dental problems your pet could face. If your pet is not given proper dental care, it is likely he/she may develop any of the following conditions:

  • Gingivitis
  • Dental abscesses
  • Tooth loss
  • Pain
  • Liver disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Bone infection

Dental disease often results in extreme pain and feelings of sickness in your pet.

The key to good pet dental hygiene is prevention. Instituting a preventative dental program can be very simple yet extremely rewarding. From special diets, treats, tooth brushing and through to routine dental cleanings, pets may never have to experience the pain and feeling of illness associated with dental disease. With access to the right knowledge, skills and facilities, your pet will never have to suffer from dental ailments.

Home Dental Care

Routine home care should be started at 3-4 months of age. Depending on the size of your dog, the infant, childrens’ or adult brushes with soft bristles can be used. Try to make brushing an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Patience and time are the two mainstays. It takes an average of two months for your pet to get used to having their teeth brushed, however, the health rewards are well worth it.

There are good toothpastes available for your pet. Consult a member of our pet health care team for one best suited for your friend.  Human toothpastes should never be used.

Contact us to discuss more on preventive care for your pet.