Vaccination

image-16_VaccinationDo you know when you should vaccinate your dog or cat? Do you know if your pet is up-to-date with its vaccinations and booster shots?

Vaccinationsare important to protect your pet against a number of potentially fatal diseases. Dogs can be vaccinated beginning at 6 weeks of age, but they cannot be fully immunized until 12 weeks.

The primary vaccination course requires two injections to be given 2-4 weeks apart, so we recommend doing this at 8 and 10 weeks of age.

Whether you own a dog or cat, it is every pet owner’s obligation to provide your pets with proper vaccination shots–beginning with a series of puppy and kitten shots, and then regular boosters throughout their adulthood.

As a responsible pet owner, we know you would like to ensure that your pet is vaccinated against preventable diseases. Without the vaccines, both cats and dogs can catch certain diseases which may be fatal.

The benefits of vaccination and its complementary health check far outweigh the potential costs and consequences of any disease that may be preventable. The importance of booster vaccinations is seen in animals of all age ranges.

Puppies build their immunities by drinking their mother’s milk (colostrum), which is filled with nutrients and antibodies.

Once weaned from their mother’s milk, their immunities start declining.  Vaccinations are critical to help protect young dogs from diseases.

Once your puppy reaches adulthood, he or she will need annual booster vaccines to keep their anti-bodies and immunities up to par.

Your dog’s annual wellness exam is a great opportunity to receive canine booster vaccines.

Vaccinations fall into two different categories: core and non-core. Core vaccinations are shots that are recommended or required by law for all pets.

The non-core vaccinations are for pets that are in special situations, whether through risks associated with the area where they live, the activities they participate in, or the pet’s condition.

Here’s a list of core shots your pet needs to have:

Puppies/Dogs:

  • Rabies-Your pet MUST have this vaccination by City AND State law
  • Distemper (CDV)
  • Adenovirus Type 2 (CAV2)
  • Parvovirus (CPV)
  • Parainfluenza (CPiV)
  • BordetellaBronchiseptica

Kittens/Cats:

  • Rabies-Your pet MUST have this vaccination by City AND State law
  • Feline Herpesvirus Type 1 (FHV-1)
  • Feline Calicivirus (FCV)
  • Feline PanleukopeniaVirus(FPV) (Feline Distemper)

Pets today can live longer, healthier lives than ever before—in part because of vaccines that help protect them from deadly infectious diseases.

To provide lifetime protection, your pet will need to receive annual booster vaccinations.

Call us today at (561) 123-1234 to set up an appointment to discuss your pet’s vaccination needs.