Pet Vaccination

Puppy Vaccination

The core vaccination schedule will protect your puppy from common diseases, including distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and rabies. The first three are generally included in one injection that is given at 6 to 8, 12, and 16 weeks. Some puppies will receive an additional booster vaccination at 20 weeks of age. The rabies vaccine is given at 12 to 16 weeks of age.

Other Non-Core /optional vaccinations are appropriate in certain situations. These may include Bordetella, Lyme, and leptospirosis vaccines if there are risks of those diseases based on your geographic location and lifestyle.

Kitten Vaccination

The routine or core vaccinations will protect your kitten from the most common diseases: feline distemper (panleukopenia), feline viral rhinotracheitis (feline herpes virus 1), calicivirus, and rabies. The first three are included in a combination vaccine given every three to four weeks until the kitten reaches 16 weeks of age. Rabies vaccine is usually given once at 12-16 weeks of age.

Non-core vaccines are not administered to every kitten, but are recommended in certain areas for cats with certain lifestyles. Cats that live outdoors are at more risk for infectious disease and often need these additional vaccines. One non- core vaccine for chlamydophila may be given if this disease is common in your area. Feline leukemia vaccine (FeLV) is recommended for all kittens that are exposed to outdoor cats, so if your kitten goes outside or lives with another cat that goes in and out, feline leukemia vaccine may be added to the regimen

Adult Dog Vaccination

  • All dogs should have the following core vaccines (unless there’s a medical reason not to vaccinate):
    • Distemper
    • Adenovirus
    • Parvovirus
    • +/- Parainfluenza
    • Rabies

In addition to these, other vaccines are just as essential for some dogs based on their lifestyle and risk. These include:

  • Leptospira (should be considered for all dogs based on increasing prevalence)
  • Lyme disease
  • Bordetella

Adult Cat Vaccination

American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) for kittens and adult cats include the following:

1. Feline panleukopenia virus
2. Feline viral rhinotracheitis, also known as herpes virus type 1 (FHV-1)
3. Feline caliciviruses
4. Rabies virus
5. Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is considered a core vaccine in kittens only.

Non-core (discretionary, or optional vaccines), as recommended by the AAFP for cats with a risk of exposure to specific diseases:

1. Chlamydophila felis (causes feline chlamydiosis)
2. Bordetella bronchiseptica (causes feline bordetellosis)
3. Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) in adult cats

Reference Resources:

https://www.canadianveterinarians.net

https://vcacanada.com/know-your-pet

https://www.ovma.org/pet-owners/basic-pet-care/pet-health-101/

https://www.aaha.org/aaha-guidelines

https://catvets.com/guidelines/practice-guidelines