Vaccinations: What you need to know

Vaccines play an essential part in decreasing disease transmission and maintaining the overall health of your pet. A series of vaccinations for puppies and kittens usually starts between 4 – 8 weeks of age and given once every four weeks until they reach 16 – 20 weeks. Some vaccines will require annual renewal, while others can last for several years.

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recommends the following core vaccinations for dogs:

The DAPP vaccine (distemper virus, adenovirus-2, parvovirus, parainfluenza) and the rabies vaccine. Other non-core vaccines are also recommended. However, factors such as geographic location, risk of exposure, and lifestyle should be considered and discussed with a veterinarian. Non-core vaccines include, but are not limited to, vaccines against Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough), Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease), canine influenza, and Leptospira (Weil’s disease).

For cats American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recommends core vaccinations against FHV-1, FCV, FPV, rabies, and FeLV (for kittens and cats that are 1 year old). Similar to the guidelines for dogs, there are non-core vaccines that can be considered. These include vaccines against FeLV (for cats older than 1 year), Chlamydia felis, and Bordetella bronchiseptica.

vaccinations