Keeping Pets Healthy in Colorado Springs: Why Vaccinations and Preventative Care Matter
In Colorado Springs, pets are part of the family—and just like any family member, they deserve proactive healthcare that helps them live longer, healthier lives. At Red Rock Veterinary Health, we believe that routine vaccinations, preventative medications, and regular wellness exams are the foundation of lifelong health for dogs and cats.
Whether you’re hiking with your pup near Garden of the Gods or watching your cat sunbathe at home, keeping up with their preventive care is essential in our changing environment.
💉 Vaccinations: A First Line of Defense
Vaccines protect pets—and people—from highly contagious and potentially deadly diseases. In Colorado Springs, where pets frequently visit parks, trails, and social settings, exposure risk is high. Here’s what we recommend:
For Dogs
Rabies – Required by law; protects against a fatal disease transmissible to humans.
Distemper, Parvovirus, Adenovirus (DAP) – Core vaccines to protect against severe respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses.
Leptospirosis – Increasingly important in Colorado due to wildlife exposure and changing climate.
Bordetella & Influenza – For dogs who go to daycare, grooming, boarding facilities, or have regular interactions with other dogs
Rattlesnake Vaccine - Current evidence doesn’t support the administration of Rattlesnake vaccines due to insufficient research to support their efficacy. We carry the vaccine for folks who sleep better at night if their dog is vaccinated, but it’s not a vaccine we generally recommend. As with medicine, this can change if more evidence comes forward that supports its use.
For Cats
Rabies – Legally required and vital for indoor and outdoor cats.
FVRCP – Protects against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia.
Feline Leukemia (FeLV) – Especially important for kittens, outdoor cats or multi-cat households.
At Red Rock Veterinary Health, we tailor each vaccination plan to your pet’s lifestyle and risk factors.
🧬 Emerging Diseases & Climate Change: Why Preventive Medications Matter
Due to shifting weather patterns and increased wildlife-human-pet interaction with increased development, we’re seeing a rise in diseases not previously common in Colorado Springs:
Heartworm Disease – Spread by mosquitoes; now present locally due to warming temperatures and increased moisture. It's fatal if untreated.
Ehrlichia & Anaplasma – Tick-borne "silent diseases" that may not cause symptoms until advanced stages. They can only be detected with regular labwork.
The Plague – Still found in prairie dog populations around Colorado and transmitted by fleas. Dogs have natural resistance, but cats can be at risk.
Bartonella (and other flea vector diseases) – Affects cats and is transmitted by fleas.
To protect your pet:
Use year-round heartworm prevention (oral or injectable).
Administer monthly flea and tick preventatives, even during winter months given Colorado’s wide swings in temperatures.
Deworm your pets regularly, especially if they frequent parks or have exposure to wildlife.
🔬 The Importance of Preventive Labwork
Many diseases—including tick-borne illnesses—can be present in your pet without obvious signs. Routine labwork helps us catch problems early:
Annual or biannual bloodwork
Fecal screenings
Heartworm and tick-borne disease testing
Early detection often means easier, more affordable treatment—and better outcomes.
🏥 Why Choose Red Rock Veterinary Health?
Located in the heart of Colorado Springs and serving nearby Manitou Springs, Pueblo, Monument, and surrounding areas, Red Rock Veterinary Health is different by design. As a locally owned hospital with Fear Free Certified staff we believe that prevention is the most powerful form of medicine. Our team takes a proactive, personalized approach to your pet’s health—focusing on early detection, disease prevention, and long-term wellness.
We’re proud to offer:
Customized wellness plans based on your pet’s breed, age, lifestyle, and risk factors
Fear Free Certified care, so your pet stays calm and comfortable during exams and treatments
Comprehensive lab screenings to catch silent diseases like Ehrlichia and Anaplasma before they become serious
Year-round parasite prevention plans, including heartworm, flea, tick, and intestinal deworming protocols
Client education that empowers you to make informed decisions about your pet’s health
With advanced diagnostics, a low-stress environment, and a compassionate team, Red Rock Veterinary Health is redefining what it means to keep pets healthy—before illness ever begins. We go the extra mile for pets and their families because we’re pet people too.
📅 Schedule Your Pet’s Preventive Care Visit
Preventing disease is far easier—and less expensive—than treating it. Whether you’re looking for pet vaccinations, parasite prevention, or a trusted veterinarian in Colorado Springs, we’re here to help.
Call Red Rock Veterinary Health today to schedule your pet’s next wellness visit and take the first step toward a long, happy life together.
