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Vaccinations

Protect your pet from preventable diseases with customized vaccine schedules for every life stage.

Pet Vaccinations: Protecting Your Pet from Preventable Illnesses

Keeping your pet healthy starts with strong prevention—and vaccinations are one of the most important tools we have. Vaccines protect your dog or cat from a range of contagious, sometimes life-threatening diseases. Whether you’ve just brought home a new puppy or kitten or your adult pet is due for boosters, staying current on vaccines is essential to their lifelong health.

Why Are Pet Vaccines Important?

Vaccinations work by preparing your pet’s immune system to fight off specific diseases before they ever come into contact with these diseases. Some of these illnesses—like rabies or parvovirus—can be fatal if left untreated. Others can cause chronic discomfort, extended treatment, or put other animals at risk.

Vaccines don’t just protect your pet—they help protect the broader pet community by reducing the spread of disease.

What Vaccines Does My Pet Need?

Vaccine needs vary based on your pet’s species, age, lifestyle, and local disease risks. Here’s a general breakdown:

For Dogs:

  • Core Vaccines: Rabies, Distemper, Parvovirus, Adenovirus, Leptospirosis

  • Lifestyle-Dependent Vaccines: Bordetella (kennel cough), Canine Influenza

For Cats:

  • Core Vaccines: Rabies, FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia)

  • Lifestyle-Dependent Vaccines: Feline Leukemia (FeLV), especially for outdoor or multi-cat households

Your veterinarian will help you build a tailored vaccine schedule based on your pet’s needs and environment.

What to Expect During a Vaccination Appointment

  • Wellness Exam: We start with a head-to-tail checkup to ensure your pet is healthy enough for vaccines.

  • Personalized Plan: Based on age, health, and lifestyle.

  • Quick and Gentle Shots: Most pets tolerate vaccines well. The process is quick and performed with care.

  • Post-Vaccine Monitoring: Mild soreness or sleepiness is normal. We’ll guide you on what to watch for and when to follow up.

We keep detailed vaccine records to ensure your pet stays on track—and help with things like boarding, grooming, or travel documentation.

When Should My Pet Be Vaccinated?

Puppies and kittens typically begin vaccinations at 6–8 weeks of age, with boosters every 3–4 weeks until about 16 weeks. Adult pets need regular boosters based on the vaccine type—some are annual, others are every 3 years.

Staying on schedule is the best way to keep your pet protected.

Vaccinations are a simple step with a big impact. They prevent illness, reduce long-term costs, and support a longer, healthier life for your pet.

🐾 Looking to keep your pet healthy and happy? Visit us—we’re here to support every step of the way.

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FAQs

Answers to Common Questions

These nasty pests are quite common in our area and can be harmful to your pet. Flea bites are very irritating to your pet's skin and cause them to scratch and gnaw at the affected areas, resulting in infection. If you notice your pet scratching more than usual, there is a good chance they have fleas.

Antifreeze (ethylene glycol) is extraordinarily poisonous to both humans and our pets. A very small amount can be very dangerous to any pet. Antifreeze is especially difficult because it both smells and tastes sweet. If you believe your pet has ingested any amount of antifreeze, please call immediately.

Of course! If you are able, please be prepared with any questions or concerns you may have. We will be happy to address them during your appointment.

Necessary vaccinations vary from pet to pet. We take into consideration the lifestyle, age, and health status of every animal before developing a vaccine protocol.

The annual examination includes a tip-to-tail review of your pet. We examine the entire body to assess the health of your pet. We check the mouth to see if periodontal disease is present (which is an infection that can affect the heart, liver, and kidneys), ensure that your pet is the appropriate weight, listen to the heart and lungs, look for signs of infection and also ensure that your pet is moving normally.

We recommend testing a fecal sample from each pet on a yearly basis to check for internal parasites. Most of the internal parasites that we find on animals are too small to be seen in the feces. Also, pets are not necessarily having diarrhea or losing weight as a result of these parasites.