To protect your pet from contagious diseases, keep his essential vaccinations up-to-date. This is important even if your pet is kept mostly indoors. There is also always a risk that your pet could accidentally slip out the door. Boarding kennels, dog parks, veterinary clinics and grooming salons are all areas where your pet is likely to be exposed to contagious diseases so be sure to consult with your veterinarian before taking your pet to any of these places. It is also important to keep in mind that vaccinations take a few days to a few weeks to become effective.
core VACCINATIONS DOGs
- Canine Distemper Virus, Adenovirus-2 and Parvovirus (DAPP), +/- Parainfluenza Virus Commonly called the “distemper shot,” this combination vaccine actually protects against the four diseases in its full name.
- Rabies. Rabies virus is fatal and all mammals, including humans, are susceptible to infection. Rabies vaccinations for dogs are required by law in most states.
non-core VACCINES FOR DOGS
Your veterinarian may also recommend other vaccines for your dog depending on where you live and your dog’s lifestyle:
- Bordetella bronchiseptica + canine parainfluenza virus
- Bordetella bronchiseptica only
- Borrelia burgdorferi
- Canine Influenza Virus-H3N8
- Canine Influenza Virus-H3N2
- Crotalus atrox
Core VACCINES FOR CATs
- Feline Panleukopenia, Feline Herpesvirus-1 and Feline Calicivirus + FeLV (FVRCP + FeLV). Commonly called the “distemper” shot, this combination vaccine protects against three diseases: feline panleukopenia (feline distemper), feline viral rhinotracheitis (feline herpes), calicivirus plus Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) which is one of the most common infectious diseases in cats, affecting between 2 and 3 percent of all cats in the United States.
- Rabies. Rabies virus is fatal and all mammals, including humans, are susceptible to infection. Rabies vaccinations for cats are required by law in most states.
non-core VACCINES FOR CATS
Your veterinarian may also recommend other vaccines for your cat depending on where you live and your cat’s lifestyle: