VACCINATION POLICY

 For your pet’s safety, we require that your pet have a current vaccination history at the time of a surgical procedure.

• For an animal over one year of age, this means that the pet has had a minimum of two vaccinations and that the last vaccination was given within the past year. 
• For an animal under one year of age, this means that the animal has had three sets of vaccinations or has had a vaccination within the last month. 

If you have not had your pet vaccinated at Camrose Animal Clinic, please bring any proof of your pet’s vaccination when you admit your pet for surgery so that we may update our records.

If your pet’s vaccination history is NOT current as defined above,  we recommend that your pet be vaccinated at least one week prior to surgery, or require that vaccinations be given at the time of the surgery. 

The reasons for this policy are explained below.

Vaccinations are preventative medicine.  They are given to protect your pet from certain potentially devastating viral infections that your pet may be exposed to in its everyday environment.  We require vaccinations not only for your pet’s protection, but also for the protection of our more debilitated or younger patients.  It is for a similar reason that human health care providers get a flu vaccination.

After surgery, the body is focused on tissue repair which may render your pet more susceptible to illness.  A vaccination gives the immune system a boost and protects your pet at this vulnerable time.

The veterinarian would be pleased to address any further questions or concerns you may have.

 CAMROSE ANIMAL CLINIC January 2004