Vaccinations

We tailor our vaccine protocol to each patient’s life style and risk factors with the ultimate goal of giving as few vaccines as possible.

Puppy Vaccinations and Well Checks

We begin to vaccinate puppies as early as 6-8 weeks of age with follow-up vaccinations every 3-4 weeks until your puppy is at least 4 months old. Please try to remember to bring a fecal/stool sample with you so that it can be checked for intestinal parasites. All puppies receive a series of DA2PP (distemper, parvo, hepatitis, parainfluenze) vaccinations and the Rabies vaccine is usually given with the last of the series at 4 months of age.

When your puppy is approximately 3 months old (usually the time for the second “shot”), it is time to discuss with your veterinarian where you intend to go with your puppy once the entire vaccine series is completed. If you plan to board your dog, go to dog runs or dog play groups, then your pet should start receiving the Bordetella vaccine at this time. If you intend to take your dog to the country, camping, rural areas or even parks, then we should begin including the vaccine against Leptospirosis into the vaccine protocol. For those pets going to areas where Lyme disease is endemic, your veterinarian will discuss the Lyme (Borrelia) vaccine.

Kitten Vaccinations and Well Checks

Your kitten should come in for his/her first vaccine at about 8 weeks of age. This vaccine is often referred to as the “3 in 1” or the FVRCP and it provides protection against feline distemper, calicivirus and rhinotracheitis. The vaccine is repeated at 12 and 16 weeks of age at which time the Rabies vaccine is also given.

Kittens and newly acquired cats should be tested for the FELV/FIV viruses (Feline Leukemia Virus/Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) before exposing them to other cats in your household. If you are intending to let your cat go outdoors, then discuss with your veterinarian the need to incorporate the FELV vaccine into the protocol. Please try to remember to bring a fecal/stool sample with you so that it can be checked for intestinal parasites. It is OK if litter material is mixed with the sample.

An annual visit to your veterinarian provides an opportunity for a routine health check as well as any revaccinations (boosters) that are necessary.