Personalized Pet Vaccinations in Westland, MI

One of the most important steps you can take to ensure your pet lives a long, healthy, and happy life is to keep them up-to-date on their vaccinations. At Griffith Veterinary Hospital, we view pet vaccinations as a fundamental pillar of preventive medicine. As your veterinarian of choice in Westland, MI, our compassionate team is dedicated to creating a personalized vaccination plan that provides the best possible protection for your beloved furry friend.

Why Vaccinations are Vital for Your Pet’s Health

Vaccines are a safe and proven way to protect your pet from a wide range of dangerous and highly contagious diseases. They work by introducing a safe, inactive form of a pathogen to your pet’s immune system, allowing it to build up protective antibodies without having to fight off the actual illness.

Keeping your pet vaccinated helps to:

• Prevent Life-Threatening Diseases: Conditions like rabies, distemper, and parvovirus can be devastating and are often fatal, but they are preventable through vaccination.
• Avoid Costly Treatments: The cost of treating a serious preventable disease is far greater than the cost of a simple vaccination.
• Protect Your Family and Community: Some diseases, like rabies and leptospirosis, can be transmitted from pets to people. Vaccinating your pet helps keep everyone safe.

Our Tailored Approach: Core vs. Lifestyle Vaccines

We believe that every pet is an individual. That’s why we don’t use a one-size-fits-all approach to pet vaccinations. Our veterinarians will work with you to develop a protocol based on your pet’s age, health status, and unique lifestyle.

Core Vaccines

Core vaccines are considered essential for all dogs and cats because they protect against the most common, widespread, and dangerous diseases.

• For Dogs: Rabies, Distemper, Adenovirus, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus (DAPP).
• For Cats: Rabies, Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia (FVRCP).

Lifestyle (Non-Core) Vaccines

Lifestyle vaccines are recommended based on your pet’s individual risk of exposure. We will discuss your pet’s routine—like whether they visit dog parks, go to groomers, board often, or spend time outdoors—to determine if they would benefit from additional protection.

• For Dogs: Bordetella (kennel cough), Leptospirosis, Lyme disease, and Canine Influenza.
• For Cats: Feline Leukemia (FeLV) for cats that go outdoors or have contact with other cats.

Vaccination Schedules for Every Life Stage

Puppy and Kitten Vaccinations: Young pets are especially vulnerable to disease. They require a series of vaccinations starting at around 6-8 weeks of age to build a strong foundation of immunity as the protection they received from their mother fades.

Adult Dog and Cat Vaccinations: To maintain protection throughout their lives, adult pets need regular booster shots. Our team will help you keep track of their needs and send reminders to ensure they never have a lapse in immunity.

Your Partners in Preventive Care in Westland

The compassionate team at Griffith Veterinary Hospital is here to guide you through every aspect of your pet’s healthcare. Before administering any vaccine, we perform a thorough wellness check to ensure your pet is healthy. This visit is also the perfect opportunity for you to ask questions and for us to address any concerns you may have.

Ready to give your pet the best protection possible? Contact us today to schedule an appointment for pet vaccinations and partner with a team that truly cares about your pet’s well-being.