Vaccinations
Vaccinating your pet protects everyone, including the other members of your family. Some vaccinations are given shortly after birth and others are administered every one to three years to keep your pet protected and safe.
Vaccines can be broken into two categories; core vaccines and lifestyle vaccines. Pet Urgent Care has created the following vaccine knowledge base below:
These are the vaccines we recommend every dog (or puppy) receives (annually) to ensure they and your family are kept safe. AAHA vaccine guidelines consider the following vaccines core:
- Bordatella (Kennel Cough) with or without canine parainfluenza: Both puppies and unvaccinated adults receive a single intranasal dose. Thereafter annual boosters are recommended for high-risk animals. We consider this to be a core vaccine because all dogs have exposure to other canines.
- DHPP. Prevents canine distemper, adenovirus (hepatitis), parvovirus, and parainfluenza: All puppies should receive at least 3 doses between the ages of 8 to 16 weeks administered 3 – 4 weeks apart. All puppies should also receive a one year booster. Unvaccinated adults require 2 doses at 3 – 4 week intervals. Annual vaccination is not recommended in adults. This is why it's common to see a 3 year vaccination interval after their 1 year booster.
- Leptospira: Puppies should receive 2 doses between the ages of 12 to 16 weeks administered 3 – 4 weeks apart. All puppies should receive a one year booster. Unvaccinated adults should receive 2 doses 3 – 4 weeks apart. Annual vaccinations are recommended thereafter. We consider Leptospirosis a core vaccine because we see clinical cases every year.
- Rabies: State statutes dictate rabies vaccine protocols. In Iowa, puppies should receive one dose as early as 4 months. All puppies receive a 1 year booster. Thereafter a dog may go to 3 year vaccination intervals. Unvaccinated adults receive a single dose, a booster at 1 year and boosters every 3 years thereafter. Boosters must be done by the original administration date or the animal will require a 1 year booster.
Cats need to be vaccinated just as much as other pets. Core vaccines are recommended for all cats to protect against diseases that are commonly found in the environment. That means there is a realistic risk of exposure, infection, and the development of a disease (this is particularly the case with kittens). The following vaccines are considered core:
- Feline Panleukopenia: All kittens should receive this vaccine as early as 6 weeks and then at 3-4 week intervals until 16 weeks of age. All kittens should receive a 1-year booster. Non vaccinated adults should receive 2 doses 3-4 weeks apart. Annual vaccination is not recommended in all adult cats. A 2-year vaccination cadence is common.
- Feline Rhinotracheitis: All kittens should receive this vaccine as early as 6 weeks of age and then in 3-4 week intervals until 16 weeks of age. All kittens should receive a 1-year booster. Non vaccinated adults should receive 2 doses 3- weeks apart. Annual vaccination is not recommended in all adult cats. A 2-year vaccination cadence is common.
- Feline Calicivirus: All kittens should receive this vaccine as early as 6 weeks of age and then in 3-4 week intervals until 16 weeks of age. All kittens should receive a 1-year booster. Non vaccinated adults should receive 2 doses 3-4 weeks apart. Annual vaccination is not recommended in adult cats. A 2-year vaccination cadence is common.
- Rabies: State and local statutes determine how often Rabies vaccines are administered. In Iowa, a single dose is required as early as 12 weeks of age. All kittens should receive a 1-year booster. Non vaccinated adults receive 1 vaccine and a booster 12 months later. Thereafter adults can receive Rabies vaccination in 3-year intervals provided it is given on schedule. Otherwise, another 1-year booster will be required.
- Feline Leukemia: Could be considered a core or lifestyle vaccine. Important for outdoor cats.
Non-core vaccines are recommended for those individuals who are at risk for exposure to certain infectious agents. An example would be recommending Lyme vaccine for a pet that has had tick (which are known to transmit Lyme disease) infestation in the past or frequents areas that are known tick habitats. AAHA vaccine guidelines consider the following vaccines as non-core:
- Canine Influenza: is a highly contagious viral infection affecting dogs, characterized by symptoms like coughing, nasal discharge, and fever.
- Leptospira: Puppies should receive 2 doses between the ages of 12 to 16 weeks administered 3 – 4 weeks apart. All puppies should receive a one year booster. Unvaccinated adults should receive 2 doses 3 – 4 weeks apart. Annual vaccinations are recommended thereafter. We consider Leptospirosis a core vaccine because we see clinical cases every year.
- Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease): Puppies should receive 2 doses. The first at 12 weeks and the second 3 – 4 weeks later. Unvaccinated adults should receive 2 doses at 3 – 4 week intervals. Annual boosters are recommended thereafter. Vaccination is recommended for those animals who live in or visit areas where exposure to tick vectors is high or animals who live in an area where the disease is considered to be endemic.
- Canine Coronavirus: AAHA does not recommend this vaccine since clinical cases rarely occur.
Non-core vaccines are recommended for those individuals who are at risk for exposure to certain infectious agents. The following vaccines are considered noncore:
- Feline Leukemia: Feline Leukemia testing and vaccination is strongly recommended for all kittens and for individuals whose health is compromised. Kittens test negative for the virus prior to vaccination. Two doses are administered as early as 12 weeks of age and 3-4 weeks later. Only cats that are at risk (such as those who go outdoors) should be vaccinated at yearly intervals thereafter.
- FIP: Generally not recommended due to concern about whether the vaccine is effective or not.
- Feline Chlamydophila and Bordatella: only recommended when the diseases are present in multi-cat environments.
Can pets have negative reactions to the vaccines?
Occasionally, animals might have adverse reactions to vaccinations. Symptoms can range from mild, like low-grade fever and muscle soreness, to more serious effects including diarrhea, vomiting, anaphylaxis, or in rare cases, death. Young and small breed dogs are more prone to reactions, often showing reduced appetite or increased lethargy for a couple of days. Certain vaccine ingredients causing strong reactions can be omitted in subsequent vaccinations. If your pet has previously reacted to a vaccine, it's important not to forgo future vaccinations, but rather, consult with us to avoid similar incidents.
Does your pet need shots?
Come see us for pet shots in Enterprise or pet shots in Montgomery.
